South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Math teams up with Google

The S.C. Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Foundation has partnered with Google and the Berkeley County School District to pilot the Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship Among Middle Schoolers, or iTEAMS, camp.

According to a news release about the camp, the goal is to build employability skills in tomorrow’s work force.

Forty rising eighth- and ninth-graders from Berkeley County will participate in the one-week summer camp June 22-26 at Berkeley Middle School. iTEAMS will encourage and serve as a primer for students interested in pursuing studies and careers in computer science, engineering, programming and business.

There is no charge to attend the camp.

Employees from Google’s data center in Goose Creek will share information with campers on the entrepreneurial philosophies and overall vision of the Internet search company. They also will serve as mentors, introducing students to the company’s technical applications and assisting with the camp’s project-style format.

“This program is an excellent opportunity for middle-schoolers in Berkeley County to learn about technology and entrepreneurship from a sophisticated technology company like Google,” said Murray Brockman, president of the governor’s school.

The iTEAMS camp addresses Google’s focus on technology literacy and innovation as well as new economy entrepreneurship. The company’s community grant investment also works within the foundation’s mission to support the governor’s school as a resource of programs that improve and support science and mathematics achievement among S.C. students.

“It is important that young people are given the tools and the resources to enhance their science and math skills,” said Jeff Stevenson, Google’s program manager at the Berkeley County data center. “The iTEAMS camp will provide Berkeley County students who are showing an interest in computer science, technology or engineering with those skills and the added benefit of being with other middle-schoolers in a fun, nurturing environment.”