Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) has donated $25,000 to support the construction of a new science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics (STEMM) education facility planned by Dreams, Imagination & Gift, a nonprofit focused on expanding science and technology opportunities for rural students.
SRNS officials traveled to Williston to announce their support for DIG’s upcoming project, a first-of-its-kind facility that will be built in Barnwell County, according to a press release from SRNS.
The nonprofit, founded to bridge educational gaps between rural and urban communities, offers STEMM programs designed to bring equitable access to science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.
“We’ve always believed that the solutions to the challenges facing rural South Carolina are already here within our own communities,” said Steven D.K. Brown, founder and CEO of DIG. “SRNS, along with our community partners and dedicated staff, prove every day what it means to DIG deep so that no child and no neighborhood is left behind. Big dreams truly can rise from small places.”
The new DIG STEMM Center is expected to provide daily access to hands-on innovation for youth in the tri-county region of Allendale, Barnwell and Aiken.
Brown said the center is envisioned as a place where future engineers, coders and creators can “learn, grow and dream without boundaries.”
SRNS Education Outreach Program Lead, Kim Mitchell, said the organization’s support reflects its commitment to expanding opportunities in rural areas near the Savannah River Site.
“At Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, we believe that every student should have the chance to succeed,” Mitchell said. “By investing in this facility, we are not only fundamentally changing the trajectory of young lives but also embracing our desire to provide opportunities for growth and development in rural areas that border the Savannah River Site.”
Plans for the center include after-school STEMM programs for grades 1–12, tech labs, co-working spaces, job training and certification programs, recreational facilities and community event spaces.
DIG projects that the center will serve more than 900 families by 2028, according to a press release from SRNS.
Since 2013, DIG programs have engaged more than 390 students annually, achieving a 100% high school graduation rate among participants.
More than 14 former students have either become engineers or are pursuing STEMM degrees, stated the press release from SRNS.
“The DIG STEM Center is more than just a building, it’s a launchpad for the next generation; at SRNS, we are committed to building the workforce of tomorrow,” said Jeff Griffin, SRNS president and CEO. “Our investment ensures that every young person in our local communities has equal opportunities to access top tier STEMM education.”
More information about DIG is available at digdp.org.
