Governor's School robotics team asks Hartsville to support regional STEM festival

Members of the Governor's School for Science and Mathematics First Tech Challenge team 772, the Golden Dragons, presented to the Hartsville City Council on March 11 seeking city support to host a regional STEM festival.

The students said the festival would bring hands-on STEM activities to all ages, encourage local businesses and visitors to downtown Hartsville and help retain graduates in-state by showcasing local industries.

"We're team 772. Golden Dragons from Hart School, South Carolina at the Governor's School for Science and Mathematics," said Julie Patel, who introduced the team and listed their outreach goals. Team members described recent competition success: they said they won the state Inspire award and earned an invitation to the world championships in Houston.

The students told council they hoped the city would manage the festival, with the students and other volunteers assisting. "We're hoping that you guys would be able to take that over," one presenter said, adding the team would provide volunteers and a student subgroup to support the event. They suggested a fall or spring date to allow time for planning, advertising and vendor outreach.

Council members thanked the team for the presentation and said staff would evaluate the logistical and staffing requirements; the mayor noted the city's events team might be stretched but that the proposal was promising given Hartsville's local manufacturers and educational partners.

The students displayed their robot, named "Hydra," and reviewed how a festival could connect young people to STEM programs and regional employers.

No formal action was taken; the item was presented in the council's presentations section for information and possible staff follow-up.