"“I was taught how to work in a lab setting and obtain usable data for a publication. I also honed in my public speaking skills by presenting my research to graduate and undergraduate students. They all assumed I was also an undergraduate student, which goes to show the power of research and knowledge. This experience allowed me to branch out into another field that I was not familiar with and form connections with many different types of people.” "
Naisha Shah - GSSM Class of 2024
Research & Inquiry
GSSM facilitates unique learning opportunities and hands-on research experiences that prepare students for success in college, careers, and beyond.
Research that Matters
Real world research is a part of every Govie's experience.
Since 1989, Govies have been making significant contributions to real world research projects.
Govies work side by side with professional researchers at universities, businesses, and governmental agencies across the state and the world--from Germany to GSSM's campus. Our growing network of research partners ensures that every student has access to high-quality mentorship that meets them where they are and challenges them to grow. We're so serious about research, we made it a graduation requirement.
Scroll down to learn more about GSSM's exciting research & inquiry opportunities.
Mentored Summer Research
Six weeks of immersive, real-world research guided by experts in their field.
Every Govie has the opportunity to participate in a summer research experience mentored by academics and professionals across South Carolina, the country, and the world. After six weeks of immersive summer research, students present their findings at GSSM's Annual Research Colloquium, sharing discoveries with peers, families, and the broader school community.
Through this distinctive program, GSSM students gain direct and practical experience with the process of research as applied in real world contexts, including application of research methods, critical thinking to solve complex problems, and learning to navigate challenges with creativity and resilience.
Projects from Recent Govies
- Development of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose and PDMS Pressure Sensors
Anna Gray Ashton ‘22 & Eva Godwin '22
University of South Carolina – Lab of Dr. Monirosadat Sadati
Anna Gray & Eva helped develop a process for encasing a polymer that changes color in response to pressure as a way to create colorimetric pressure indicators that could be used for a wide variety of applications.
- Optimizing the Creation of an In-House Sintering Aid & Glass Milling
Tremaine Richardson '22 & Stephen Sartor '22
Kyocera AVX – Lab of Dr. Craig Nies
Stephen & Tremaine worked at AVX with GSSM Alum Josh Campbell ’20 to develop methods to more consistently prepare materials for the assembly of capacitors. Josh conducted his GSSM research & inquiry project at AVX in the Summer of 2019.
- Rapid Prototyping for Studying Light-Scattering Properties of Materials
Anne Macklin '22
Clemson University Restoration Institute – Lab of Dr. Eric Patterson
Anne used 3D design software & rapid prototyping with 3D printers to develop a stage that can rotate around 3-axes to hold an object for imaging in the light & camera sphere being built by the Patterson group. The information they will collect from this device will help improve our understanding of how materials reflect and absorb light, which will contribute to improvements in digital animation.
School-Year Research & Inquiry
Led by our extraordinary faculty, Govies develop and execute original projects at GSSM during the school year.
GSSM's Residential High School program includes research & inquiry electives in a variety of fields led by GSSM's experienced faculty researchers. Research topics have included pharmaceutical design, restoration ecology, computational mathematics, microwave spectroscopy, transportation policy, and controlled environment agriculture in the GSSM Hydroponic Research Lab. Check out our course catalog to see the complete list of research & inquiry advanced electives.
Research Colloquium
For over 35 years, Govies have shared their research projects at GSSM’s Annual Research Colloquium.
The GSSM research & inquiry experience provides Govies with the opportunity for exploration, discovery, and individual growth. Colloquium also reflects the duty of scientists, explorers, and innovators to not only discover, but also to effectively and ethically communicate that knowledge to others. In this time-honored tradition of science, Colloquium is our opportunity to share, celebrate, and learn as a community.
The Annual Research Colloquium features student research presentations and honors outstanding mentors with the Distinguished Research Leadership Award.
Front Cover Image Credits (Left to right and top to bottom): Clara Brown '24, Marion Sturkie '24, Corie O'Connell '24, Dahlia Griffin '24, Ann Jiang '24, Helen Lin '24, Tracy Qiu '24, Alanna Gray '24, Alexa Jones '24, Alayna Khoja '24, Phoebe Anagnos '24, Bianca Hylton '24, and Ella Williams '24