ECM will provide 10 SC school districts with a full 6-week hands-on experiential arts integration summer camp. Summer STEAM Institute is our nationally recognized award-winning program that provides students in kindergarten through eighth grade with weekly STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities that stimulate curiosity and creativity. In addition, high school students will participate as paid junior staff to engage with the campers while completing their own design projects to learn more about self-awareness, financial literacy, leadership, and entrepreneurship. ECM received the 2016 NY Life Excellence in Summer Learning Award from the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) annual in 2016, and we believe all children in the state of SC deserve to experience this educational and FUN summer experience that aligns with the state standards and skills outlined in the Profile of the SC Graduate. 

The second goal we want to accomplish is to provide 10 SC school districts with embedded professional learning during our 6-week camp. Certified teachers and special area teachers work directly with local artists to gain new strategies for teaching arts integration during the school year. ECM’s curriculum coaches assist in the planning and through guided pre-planning meetings learn how to teach through arts integration. Teachers in Summer STEAM Institute participate as learners alongside their students, to see the impact and the success of arts integration.