Center for Advanced Technical Studies receives $10,000 donation from Verizon

CHAPIN, SC – Officials with Verizon presented a $10,000 donation to the Center for Advanced Technical Studies on Nov. 19, providing funds for a summer program aimed at engaging more female students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities.

The FEMINEERS Verizon Explorers Camp will provide seventh and eighth grade girls in Lexington-Richland School District Five with the opportunity to explore programs in aerospace, clean energy, engineering, medicine and other STEM-related areas. There is no cost for the camp; and bus transportation, meals and snacks will be provided to participants of the one-week camp at The Center. The FEMINEERS Verizon Explorers Camp will be offered to around 60 students in Lexington-Richland School District Five.

Photo: Verizon Director of State Government Affairs Bob Davis (left) talks about the importance of the STEM, during a donation announcement on Nov. 19. Verizon presented a $10,000 donation to the Center for Advanced Technical Studies for a summer program aimed at engaging more female students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities.

“We are honored and grateful to receive this donation from Verizon,” said Dr. Bob Couch, director of The Center. “We held the camp last year, but being able to provide a free weeklong camp for 60 girls in our district is a great opportunity to attract more girls into STEM fields. We want to thank Verizon for the contribution, and we look forward to the experiences these girls will get through the camp.”

Applications will be available at District Five middle schools by Feb. 1. Verizon’s foundation has invested more than a half a billion dollars to schools, businesses and groups to improve communities, company officials said.

“Verizon believes in building upon students’ interests and inspiring a lifetime of learners,” said Bob Davis, director of state government affairs for Verizon. “As a leading telecommunications company, we’re fully committed to growing interests in STEM and giving students the tools they need to innovate and create the technology of tomorrow. The FEMINEERS Verizon Explorers Camp will spark an interest in STEM for dozens of girls and continue to foster student engagement in the learning process.”

Businesses play a key role in providing innovative programs, lawmakers said.

“Companies like Verizon have a role in ensuring that the future workforce is ready for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Rep. Chip Huggins, who attended the Nov.19 donation announcement. “We hope that other businesses will do the same and invest in the students, who will one day be their customers and the leaders of tomorrow.”

Rep. Nathan Ballentine added, “I can tell you that the students here at The Center are ahead of the curve, and have wonderful opportunities to explore careers in STEM and other fields. This donation from Verizon is a tremendous show of support by a business and will only add to the great programs and educational activities already available at this school.”

Opened in 2012, the Center for Advanced Technical Studies (The Center) provides a standalone facility for students to build technical skills, gain certifications and earn college credits. Attended by students from District Five’s four high schools, The Center offers high tech courses in a wide variety of areas from biomedical science and clean energy technology to alternative energy and welding. Summer camps are offered to middle school students annually to provide hands-on activities and a glimpse of program offerings.

Biomedical science students Kayla Shine and Alexa Eyring served as counselors for the FEMINEERS camp last summer. They say the grant from Verizon will make a big difference.

“We had girls in the camp that weren’t sure if they like engineering…didn’t know if they liked STEM. But by the end of the camp, they loved it,” said Shine, who wants to become a pediatrician. “This will expose more girls to it, and let them decide if it’s the right career path for them.”

Eyring, who is thinking of a career in neuroscience, added: “I would tell other girls to not let the idea that men dominate the engineering field ever be a drawback for you. If you have a passion for STEM, then go for it.”