Lincs Lowcountry Innovators Creators And Scientists

THE MISSION OF LINCS IS TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN STEAM EDUCATION FOR UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA. 2023 WAS SPENT PLANNING FOR THE FIRST PROJECT OF LINCS, BLUDISCOVERY, AN INTERACTIVE INNOVATION AND EDUCATION CENTER IN THE CHARLESTON, SC AREA. LINCS WILL LAUNCH A MOBILE CENTER CALLED STEAM ROLLER IN 2024. WE WILL TAKE MOBILE STEAM EXHIBITS TO SCHOOLS WITHOUT STEM OR STEAM PROGRAMS TO HELP EXTEND THEIR EDUCATION AND GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE STEAM RELATED ACTIVITIES.

LINCS INITIALLY PLANNED TO LAUNCH A LARGE 50,000 SQ. FOOT, INTERACTIVE STEAM CENTER IN CHARLESTON, SC. HOWEVER, AFTER SUBSTANTIAL PLANNING AND RESEARCH, LINCS DETERMINED IT CAN BETTER FULFILL ITS MISSION BY PARTNERING DIRECTLY WITH EXISTING SCHOOLS TO OFFER THEM SUPPORT AND RESOURCES TO BUILD OUT STEAM PROGRAMS WITHIN THEIR SCHOOLS, RATHER THAN TRYING TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS OFF-SITE TO ANOTHER FACILITY. THE TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS TO THE ORIGINALLY PLANNED LINCS STEAM CENTER SEEMED TO BE ONE OF THE LARGEST BARRIERS LINCS WOULD HAVE ENCOUNTERED. WHILE MEETING WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS DURING THE RESEARCH PHASE OF LINCS, IT WAS ALSO DETERMINED THAT MANY OF THESE SCHOOLS HAVE THE SPACE TO BUILD OUT STEAM PROGRAMS WITHIN THEIR SCHOOLS, BUT JUST LACK THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO OUTFIT AND SUSTAIN THE PROGRAMS. LINCS IDENTIFIED ITS FIRST SCHOOL IN 2024, SAINT JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL, A SMALL AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY OF 55-60 STUDENTS. SJCS WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE:(1) THE LOCATION OF THE SCHOOL IS IN A VERY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY IN CHARLESTON, SC.(2) SJCS IS ALREADY HEAVILY FOCUSED ON STEAM AND HAS A THRIVING PROGRAM IN PLACE FOR THE YOUNGER CHILDREN, BUT THEY LACK THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO EXPAND TO THE HIGHER GRADES.(3) IT HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS A UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOL THROUGH THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS SINCE 2017 AND HIGHLY PROMOTES INCLUSION AND WELLNESS.(4) THE CURRENT SPACE BEING UTILIZED FOR STEAM IS SUB-OPTIMAL (IN THE BASEMENT OF A 72-YEAR-OLD BUILDING) AND DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ANY EXPANSION. THEY NEED TO RENOVATE AN ADJACENT BUILDING THAT WOULD PROVIDE AMPLE SPACE FOR GROWTH.(5) THE SCHOOL PROVIDES SUMMER CAMPS AND STEAM ACTIVITIES TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY, WHICH IS ALSO THE TARGET AUDIENCE FOR LINCS. BY HELPING THIS SCHOOL EXPAND ITS REACH, WE ALSO MEET OUR MISSION GOALS.(6) THE SCHOOL IS ALREADY ACTIVE AND PARTICIPATING IN THE FIRST LEGO LEAGUE LEGO ROBOTICS COMPETITION, WINNING SEVERAL AWARDS ANNUALLY BUT WITH SUBOPTIMAL CONDITIONS FOR TRAINING.(7) THE SCHOOL HAS A CLEAR PATH FORWARD TO BECOMING STEAM CERTIFIED BUT LACKS THE RESOURCES TO GAIN IT.(8) THE SCHOOL HAS AN ORGANIZED PLAN TO MEASURE OUTCOMES PROVIDED BY STEAM EDUCATION.