2 Lowcountry schools selected for new AI pilot program, only 10 SC schools selected

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - An exciting new opportunity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education has just been announced for two Lowcountry middle schools.

Morningside Middle School with Charleston County Schools and Oakbrook Middle School with Dorchester District Two were among 10 South Carolina schools selected to participate in the Palmetto AI Pathways pilot program.

In a collaborative effort to enhance student learning, the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, IT-oLogy and the University of South Carolina have joined forces to provide students with an immersive, hands-on experience in artificial intelligence and robotics, equipping them with valuable skills for the future.

A total of 35 schools, grades sixth through ninth, across the state applied for the opportunity to be part of this cutting-edge initiative, which is at the forefront of STEM education and innovation.

Bentli Lewis is the principal at Oakbrook Middle School and expressed her excitement about being chosen.

“One of our school counselors actually learned about it and thought that it would be a great opportunity for our students to get to experience the world of AI. We know that that is just where the world is going right now, but it’s not something that is here right now in our schools in DD2, but it’s something that we know is on the horizon that we need to be ready for. And so she submitted us because she thought it would be a great opportunity to extend learning for our students,” she said.

Lewis said that in a world increasingly driven by technology, this program will help students navigate and thrive in rapidly evolving fields.

“We just want to get our kids that hands-on learning in those STEM career fields that we know are underrepresented. And a lot of times, our kids just don’t know about it, especially being a Title I school. We want our kids to know that every opportunity out there exists for them. And sometimes the only way they’re going to learn about those STEM opportunities is because of what happens right here in our school,” she said.

Lewis said this program aligns seamlessly with the district’s existing STEM curriculum, particularly within the Project Lead the Way Automation and Robotics Program.

“As I’m brainstorming with our CTE coordinators and directors here in DD2, we are thinking that we are going to try and embed that [the Palmetto AI Pathways Program} into the robotics classroom. It just makes the most sense for the things that our kids are already learning and are already exposed to, to just bring in this AI where it best fits, which is right there in our CTE class, Project Lead the Way. That’s our initial full thought as we’re thinking for the future,” she said.

Emily Duplantis is the Assistant Director for Career and Technical Education at Dorchester District Two Schools.

“I tell my students, if you can dream it, it’s a job now. And so, we really like to expose our students to all of the options or as many options as we can,” Duplantis said.

She explained that CTE helps students prepare for the future.

“It’s very broad, but we love CTE because it prepares our students for the future. It includes anything from culinary to robotics to bio-med, to sports med, to business classes, and to agriculture. We really have a wide variety of courses that our students are exposed to, primarily at middle school, and then, of course, in high school,” she said.

Duplantis emphasized the importance of providing students with early exposure to STEM, noting that it can open new doors and opportunities for their futures.

“I think it’s almost too late if you start to expose the students to different career opportunities and different pathways when they get to high school. High school is a very quick four years. So, to be able to dip in and get them excited about that opportunity in sixth, seventh and eighth grade, then we get them in high school. and we have a better opportunity to prepare them for what they’re going to do after high school,” she said.

Although Duplantis acknowledged there are many unknowns as AI is introduced into the classroom, she emphasized that the goal is for students to feel safe and confident as AI becomes increasingly prevalent in the real world.

“We want to do a great job with it. We’re excited to have this opportunity for our students. They’re the only ones in our school district who will be able to partake in this pilot. And so, we’re really just excited for whatever Palmetto Pathways will bring. We’re excited about partnering with USC. I know that’s part of it: partnering with industry partners so that our kids can really see how AI can plug in right here in their community. I love to make sure that our students know what we have available for them right here in DD2,” Duplantis said.

The program is set to launch next school year.

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