From Research to Kindergarten
The core objective of the Great Jobs Through Innovation Excellence Act is to grow the number of high-wage jobs for the people of South Carolina. The Great Jobs program funds Innovation Collaboration Agreements (ICA) which include Market Pull Innovation based on university research solving industry-defined problems, Commercialization, Workforce Development, and Diversity. Great Jobs ICAs must engage education programs from university research to K-12 schools. Below are examples of excellent bright spots we can build on in South Carolina related to electric and autonomous mobility.
Listen to a 5-minute update on SC Public Radio on the growth of autonomous mobility in South Carolina.
University Research
The core objective of reauthorizing the Centers of Economic Excellence Act is to grow the number of high-wage jobs for the people of South Carolina. The Great Jobs framework funds Innovation Collaboration Agreements which include Market Pull Innovation based on university research solving industry-defined problems, Commercialization, Workforce Development, and Diversity. Great Jobs Research Collaboration Agreements must engage education programs from university research to K-12 schools. Below are examples of excellent bright spots we can build on in South Carolina related to electric and autonomous mobility.
Listen to a 5-minute update on SC Public Radio on the growth of autonomous mobility in South Carolina.
Technical Education
Technical colleges are key partners in Great Jobs Innovation Collaboration Agreements to help develop the needed workforce. Trident Technical College is the lead on a $2.83 million National Science Foundation grant to form a consortium to create the next generation of innovation and talent for the electric vehicle industry. The consortium will conduct evidence-based research studies to investigate the integration of virtual and augmented reality systems to support electric vehicle manufacturing and education. The consortium includes
Trident Technical College, Greenville Technical College, Spartanburg Community College, and Clemson University. One of the main goals is to strengthen learning and retention among students from rural areas, veterans, and students who are from groups underrepresented in the workforce.
K-12 Education
The Sandlapper Elementary computer immersion program is an excellent example of a K-12 program inspiring students to pursue science, technology engineering, and math (STEM). Kindergarten students learn how robots follow step-by-step commands. First graders learn to program their robots, which in the third grade become autonomous. Fifth graders program their robots like NASA's real-world Mars rover missions. CoEE 2.0 Research Commercialization Agreements will include connecting K-12 teachers and students like those at Sandlapper to college and university programs like those at CU-ICAR and Trident Technical College. This educates teachers and parents, and inspires students, about high-wage careers in STEM fields.
Listen to a 5 minute SC Public Radio update on Sandlapper Elementary.