GSSM Hosts 116 Student Presentations During 36th Annual Research Colloquium

HARTSVILLE, S.C. (Nov. 25, 2024) ─ The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) hosted its 36th annual Research Colloquium on Nov. 22, 2024, showcasing STEM research conducted by students over the summer. The event featured more than 130 students who presented 116 projects, highlighting diverse advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, energy production, healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and more.

Each year, GSSM’s Research Colloquium brings together students, educators, and mentors to celebrate research excellence and community learning. Throughout the summer, students work with over 100 mentors at universities, government agencies, and organizations worldwide, tackling real-world challenges and contributing to impactful projects across various disciplines.

“The Annual Research Colloquium is one of our great traditions,” GSSM President Danny Dorsel said. “Our senior Govies shared their research on automation in packaging, microfluidic devices for studying cancer, quantum computing materials, and many other areas with poise and confidence. It was another great day at GSSM!”

This year’s research projects were conducted throughout South Carolina, the United States, and abroad at universities, government agencies, businesses, and at GSSM. During these unique educational opportunities, GSSM students spent their summer working with professional researchers to advance projects impacting healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, energy production, applications of artificial intelligence, and beyond.

"The GSSM research experience is a transformative, real-world challenge for our students,” said Dr. Josh Witten, Director of Research & Inquiry. “Giving them the opportunity to be celebrated for their achievements while also practicing the communication skills to be future, innovative leaders make our Research Colloquium a special day every year.”

Additionally, outstanding mentors are presented with the Randall M. LaCross Distinguished Research Leadership Award for their commitment to guiding and supporting students’ research journeys. This year’s honorees were Dr. Jürgen Braun, Markus Lücke, and Andrea Oliver for their leadership within GSSM’s international Research Experience Scholars Program (RESP) in Germany.

RESP provides selected GSSM students with the opportunity to live and conduct research at two locations in Germany in partnership with the Johanna-Wittum Schule in Pforzheim and the Gymnasium am Rittersberg in Kaiserslautern. This past summer, GSSM students conducted research at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg) as well as the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence, the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics in Kaiserslautern. This partnership also provides students from Germany the opportunity to come to South Carolina. Since August, students have come from Johanna-Wittum Schule and Gymnasium am Rittersberg to live at GSSM and conducted research locally. This year marks 16 years of partnership with Johanna-Wittum Schule and 11 with Gymnasium am Rittersberg.

The Research & Inquiry experience began in 1990 to provide students with opportunities for growth through scientific exploration and discovery. The Research Colloquium event provides students with a conference experience that reinforces the understanding that scientists, explorers, and innovators have a duty to effectively communicate their discoveries to others for the benefit of all. To learn more about student research conducted at GSSM, click here.