Boeing provides matching grant to STEM education collaborative

The Lowcountry STEM Collaborative and the Boeing Co. are working to raise $600,000 to bolster science, technology, engineering and math education and activities in the Lowcountry.

Boeing has agreed to provide a 20% match, up to $100,000, on all gifts received from individuals and corporations during the next three years.

“For our region to be globally competitive in an innovation-driven economy, we must have a reliable STEM talent pipeline, producing well-qualified STEM-competent workers,” said Carolyn Kelley, director of The STEM Center of Excellence at The Citadel, in a news release. “The Lowcountry STEM Collaborative, since November 2010, has worked to build a strong network of prestigious leaders in business, government and education all working to advance STEM literacy in the Lowcountry. We have made extraordinary progress in a short amount of time — a direct result of community teamwork and support.”

The collaborative now falls under The Citadel STEM Center.

The Lowcountry STEM Collaborative is designed to plan, promote and implement STEM education initiatives. One goal is to establish a STEM clearinghouse, which would provide STEM internships, programs, activities and also have a database of volunteers.