S.C. Code Ann. § 13-1-2240: STEM Coalition; administration; duties; programs; reporting.

The coalition, subject to the availability of funds in the STEM Education Fund or other funds managed by Clemson University or the Clemson University Foundation for the specific purposes within the coalition's scope of work, shall:

(1) be administered by a director approved by the advisory council and hired through Clemson University, which has historically supported the SCCMS and the S2TEM Centers;

(2) provide a coordination point for STEM education programs in K-12 and higher education throughout South Carolina;

(3) promote STEM education statewide in coordination with business and industry in support of the long-term economic prosperity of South Carolinians;

(4) ensure the development of a South Carolina STEM workforce with better access to competitive employment opportunities and recognize the diverse pathways through which women and men may enter STEM fields including the consideration of nontraditional academic experiences, community-based learning, and career technical education;

(5) collaborate with institutions of higher education to expand STEM opportunities in the State for high quality professional development for STEM educators with special emphasis on improving student learning outcomes in mathematics;

(6) collaborate in the research and development of tools and best practices in STEM education with K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, state and federal agencies, business/industry partners, and other entities as appropriate;

(7) facilitate participation in interscholastic, STEM-related competitions;

(8) promote STEM teaching as a career opportunity;

(9) annually identify and provide seed funding to school-based pilot STEM programs equitably distributed across the State;

(10) annually advocate for an SC STEM Education Month and an SC STEM Education Day at the State Capitol and associated activities to promote STEM education;

(11) annually promote and support a SC STEM Educator of the Year award and regional finalists for the award;

(12) promote public awareness of STEM career opportunities through regional festivals and other community engagement strategies;

(13) assist public school districts in developing and implementing a comprehensive merit-based plan to give all public school students equal access to STEM programs;

(14) promote business and industry involvement in the actions and activities of the coalition;

(15) develop and maintain a statewide database of STEM education assets;

(16) perform gap analysis and assessments to identify industry and business needs and the resulting requirements for teacher professional development activities and initiatives;

(17) support high quality professional learning focused on career readiness and talent development and provide other assistance for educators and students;

(18) engage business and industry in support of STEM activities for schools to enhance career readiness;

(19) develop and maintain statewide, regional, and national partnerships with not-for-profit, STEM missioned entities to promote STEM learning and career opportunities in underserved communities;

(20) create STEM career development programs to include leadership training, mentorship programs, and work-life balance initiatives to encourage male and female students in STEM fields;

(21) foster the development of all female and male students in an environment that minimizes bias and harassment and encourages the merit-based development of all women and men; and

(22) annually before July first report appropriate outcomes and measures of the impact of the coalition to these entities:

(a) the Office of the Governor through the Department of Employment and Workforce;

(b) the State Superintendent of Education;

(c) the General Assembly through the Senate Education Committee and the House Education and Public Works Committee;

(d) the Education Oversight Committee; and

(e) the advisory council.