The South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Things are in full swing here at GSSM! Students are having fun while giving back to the Hartsville community. It has been a busy semester and here is just a little bit of what we have done so far.

Programs and Activities

Do you know the elements of Ice Cream?
In early October, Resident Assistant (RA) Kiesha Beavers sponsored a program which included ice cream and chemistry fundamentals (freezing points and energy absorption.) We have found eating and learning is a winning combination on our campus! The proof is in the Ziploc as more than 60 students showed up to make ice cream-in-a-bag!

Earthworms, Spiders and Snakes, Oh My!
RA Jessica Barnes sponsored a community service project at Kalmia Gardens in Hartsville.  The executive director of Kalmia Gardens, Ms. Mary Ridgeway, was excited about working with 13 of our Govies. The project included a morning full of weeding flower beds, laying out pine straw and trash pick-up. While this began as a service project, it quickly became a biology field study. The students took an interest in the many critters located on-site. The huge iguana had its picture taken by so many camera phones it started to feel like we were in the presence of paparazzi! The rats, snakes and other animals received their fair share of attention as well. In the field, we were a little spooked at spiders lurking around and not surprisingly while weeding we found many earthworms. As would only happen with a group of Govies, Ms. Ridgeway was given a crash course in the anatomy of the earthworm! We had a great time at Kalmia and the students enjoyed a great experience!

Yes, Service Projects are Fun and Tasty!
RA Kiesha Beavers and RA Dana Daves hosted a "Caramel for a Cause" program this week. Each participant made two caramel apples; one for themselves and the another was delivered to the seven residential living homes for adults who are developmentally delayed or disabled in Hartsville. The students were able to choose from our special topping selection of coconut, mini M&Ms and nuts! The students made a total of 28 apples which was more than enough to share!

Making a Difference
Special thanks and congratulations to students and staff who participated in the BETA Club’s Healthy Heart Campaign.  Each day students posted interesting facts about ways to keep your heart healthy and strong. Blood pressure screenings were also done during the lunch period. On Saturday October 25, 2008, GSSM students participated in the American Heart Association three-mile walk to promote health and fitness at Francis Marion University. The combination of penny wars and American Heart Association bracelet sales raised $300 for the American Heart Association.

Congratulations to our Good Citizenship Award Winners!
The Good Citizenship Award is given out quarterly by the Residence Life staff to deserving students. It is given to those students who have had a positive impact or influence in the GSSM community. This can include things like: being a good role model, providing support and encouragement to fellow classmates or being a positive leader. Our first quarter winners are: Maggie, John, Chris, and Lily

Thank you for checking out what’s been going on at GSSM.  Next time we will have new and fun activities for you to read about and featured will be our Cultural Diversity Week.