10 SC Schools selected for the Palmetto AI Pathways Pilot Program
March 28, 2025
South Carolina Council on Competitiveness (SC Competes), IT-oLogy, and the University of South Carolina (USC) announced on National AI Literacy Day the first 10 schools selected to participate in the new Palmetto AI Pathways robotics program in the next school year.
The Palmetto AI Pathways will bring hands-on robotics and technology education to 10 schools, grades 6th thru 9th, across South Carolina within the next year. Students will have the unique opportunity to interact with the SC Competes robotic dog, Palmetto Automated Learner (PAL), and engage in hands-on lessons with IT-oLogy curriculum, fostering not only an interest in coding and robotics, but learning about the diverse careers across all SC industries that will be impacted by critical technologies, particularly AI. Representatives from USC will join the visits, offering insights into the importance of STEM education and career opportunities through discussions with students who are actively pursuing technology-related careers.
The first 10 schools selected are:
- Morningside Middle School, Charleston County School District
- Cherokee Charter Academy, Charter Institute at Erskine (Gaffney, Cherokee County)
- Oakbrook Middle School, Dorchester School District Two
- Rosenwald Elementary School, Fairfield County School District
- Rosemary Middle School, Georgetown County School District
- Woodmont Middle School, Greenville County School District
- Batesburg-Leesville Middle School, Lexington County School District Three
- Branchville High School, Orangeburg County School District
- Summit Parkway Middle School, Richland School District Two
- Kingstree Middle Magnet School of the Arts, Williamsburg County School District
More than 35 schools applied to participate in this pilot program, which was announced on February 10th of this year. The first 10 schools were selected based on recommendations from industry partners, educators, and Regional Workforce Advisors as well as location. All 10 pilot schools are Title One schools and are located within 10 districts from across the state.
SC Competes, IT-oLogy, and USC will begin scheduling these 10 school visits over the next academic year (2025-2026), with sights set on growing the program in subsequent years to be accessible to even more schools in the future.
“We are excited to see the reaction from our schools across South Carolina,” said Susie Shannon, President and CEO of SC Competes. “We are ready to get to work on this first cohort of pilot schools and be able to bring the Palmetto AI Pathways program to many more schools in the coming years.”
“A program of this scale takes a team effort,” said Kristy McLean, President of IT-oLogy. “We’re excited to partner with SC Competes and USC to create an engaging experience that will inspire the next generation of tech leaders right here in South Carolina.”
“We know that AI and Robotics are powerful tools to ignite students’ passion for STEM career pathways,” said Stephen Cutler, Vice President for Economic Development at the University of South Carolina. “By immersing students in hands-on curriculum and leveraging the ‘wow factor’ of PAL at the middle school level, we will not only captivate their interest but also inspire the next generation of lifelong learners and innovators.”
About SC Competes
South Carolina Council on Competitiveness – “SC Competes” – is a statewide, business-led, nonprofit organization that drives South Carolina’s long-term economic growth by managing the state’s industry clusters and providing the research, network, and resources necessary to thrive.
About IT-oLogy
IT-oLogy is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing technology education and workforce development through programs, partnerships, and initiatives that inspire and educate the next generation of technology talent.
