Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Education Outreach Specialist Cindy Hewitt, right, leads an engineering building activity during the 2023 DIG STEM festival, which was sponsored by SRNS.
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) continues to strengthen its partnership and philanthropic contributions to the Dreams, Imagination and Gift (DIG) Development Program, a local organization providing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) opportunities to promote rural growth and development. This year, SRNS provided $30,000 in sponsorship to support both the DIG Scholar Enrichment Academy (after-school program) and the DIG STEM Festival.
“SRNS has played a pivotal role in our ability to inspire, mentor and empower children in rural South Carolina,” said Steven Brown, President and Founder of DIG. “Countless children have gone on to pursue STEM careers thanks to our exposure, resources and established partnerships. The financial support and volunteer commitment from SRNS has been instrumental in our journey.”
The DIG after-school program encourages higher education and interest in STEM for grades one through eight. The academy currently serves over 300 students across Allendale, Aiken and Barnwell counties. Students engage with engineering principles, science theory, robotics, computer programming and literature arts.
“The impact of this sponsorship goes beyond financial support – it significantly alleviates our anxiety about the challenges ahead,” continued Brown. “It serves as a testament to the power of partnerships with organizations like SRNS, reaffirming our commitment to advancing our mission.”
The program exposes students to opportunities that achieve academic excellence and workforce readiness. In 2023, the academy placed second in the Georgia Future City Competition. To continue program expansion, SRNS funds will be used to support STEM pilot programs in additional school districts.
“The DIG Development Program parallels our goal of establishing vital career pipelines to feed our workforce with highly-skilled professionals,” said Dennis Carr, SRNS President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our sponsorship and continued support of DIG will help foster economic growth in the local community and introduce STEM career pathways to additional school districts.”
Since 2015, SRNS has donated over $171,000 to DIG’s programs and festivals to help this grassroots organization make dreams a reality. The DIG STEM Festival transcends the classroom and reaches thousands of community members annually.
“SRNS will continue to play a crucial role in increasing the number of graduates entering STEM professions for the benefit of SRS and nearby STEM industries,” said Kim Mitchell, SRNS Education Outreach Lead. “We are proud to support DIG as they effectively utilize resources and funding to prepare youth for successful STEM careers.”
The 2024 DIG STEM Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024 in Williston, South Carolina. For more information regarding DIG and the Scholar Enrichment Academy, visit www.digdp.org.
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, a Fluor and HII partnership company, is responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, located near Aiken.
