August 26, 2023
iMAGINE Upstate is an annual festival designed to showcase pre-K – 12 education and career pathways in Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering and Math (STEAM) through fun, hands-on learning.
Our mission is to create meaningful experiences that promote a culture of lifelong learning and career readiness with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). The iMAGINE Upstate festival is our signature experience and will be held in downtown Greenville on the first Saturday in April annually from 11am - 5pm. We are focused on student preparedness and facilitate collaboration among industry partners, academic institutions, non-profit organizations and the community.
We are a proud program of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science (SCCMS) at Clemson University.
The Issue
In South Carolina and across the nation, business leaders are struggling to meet the current and projected demand for jobs in STEM. Companies will not invest in a community unless they are confident that they can find the talent they need to stay competitive. Only 26% of South Carolina students are graduating with the degrees and certification necessary to obtain these jobs. Students' lagging performance in K–12 math and science, particularly among minorities, is a critical reason why.
Source: Education Commission of the StatesThe Solution
The good news is that the effective programs like iMAGINE Upstate’s STEAM Festival are beginning to fill in the gaps in the STEM pipeline in South Carolina. iMAGINE Upstate partners with major South Carolina employers to identify high demand career pathways and showcase them to a new generation of innovators in exciting ways. Through interactive learning experiences, iMAGINE Upstate sparks the imaginations of PreK-12 students and fosters their aspirations to pursue 21st century STEM careers.
Program Goals
Celebrate STEAM, innovation, and entrepreneurial activity in the Upstate.
Promote PreK-12 education and workforce development with an emphasis on student readiness.
Raise awareness and educate students, families, and professionals about STEAM career opportunities in the Upstate.
Ignite an interest in STEAM for PreK-12 students and cultivate lifelong learning through hands-on experiences that connect to 21st century careers.
Increase opportunities for under- represented groups and promote equity in STEAM education and careers.
iMAGINE is a program of South Carolina’s Coalition for Mathematics & Science (SCCMS) at Clemson University.
