Pre-College STEM Exploration and Competition

Experience science, math & engineering through pre-college programs

The College of Charleston offers K-12 STEM engagement and outreach initiatives throughout the academic year and summer.



Lowcountry Regional Science & Engineering Fair (LRSEF)

The 2026 LRSEF will be on Thursday, March 5, at the College of Charleston. The fair, held over spring break, offers South Carolina county students (from Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester and Georgetown) a forum to present science and engineering projects for a chance to win awards. This program is affiliated with the prestigious Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge and the International Science and Engineering Fair.

STEM 360

We offer two identical sessions in 2026: July 13-17 and July 20-24. This hands-on high school program gives students the opportunity to explore various academic disciplines within the STEM field. A coordinated program between the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences and the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics, STEM-360 gives students the chance to find their thing. 5 days to learn and have fun. Daily drop-off and pick-up.
  • Program Overview

    2026 STEM 360 Dates: July 13-17 and July 20-24
    (The same content will be offered each week, so there is no need to sign up for both sessions.)

    During the five-day event, you will be taught by our College of Charleston faculty in our state-of-the-art facilities. You’ll have the opportunity to sample a range of STEM disciplines, including:

    • biology,
    • marine biology,
    • chemistry,
    • environmental geosciences,
    • engineering,
    • computer programming and
    • more!  

    You’ll also see what it’s like to study these majors in college. Activities may also include tours of companies or field work at the Stono Preserve and Grice Marine Laboratory. 

  • Important Information and Dates

    Registration for STEM 360 (2026) is now open. The registration fee is $300. All rising 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-graders are welcome to register for the program. Please complete the online registration by June 22, 2026.

    Important Information and Dates 

    • Session 1: Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17, 2026, daily, from 10am-4pm.
    • Session 2: Monday, July 20 – Friday, July 24, 2026, daily, from 10am-4pm.
      • The same content will be offered each week, so there is no need to sign up for both sessions.
    • Registration/program fee: $300
    • Application and Payment Deadline: June 22, 2026

    Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a course reaches capacity (18 for each session). We will follow up and notify all applicants of their enrollment status within one week of receiving the online registration. Once your application has been processed, we will email you a complete timeline, program details, a checklist, and the remaining paperwork.

    Late Applications 

    Applications may still be accepted after the June 22 deadline if space remains available in the program. Contact India Ballard at ballardi@cofc.edu to determine availability.

  • Refund Policy
    • Refund Deadline: Friday, June 30, 2026

    If you decide to withdraw from the program before June 30, the refund deadline, you will receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued after June 30, 2026.

Fun with Science

You never know what kind of experiments you'll get to do during STEM 360.
Three students conducting a chemistry experiment on grass.
STEM 360 students spend time at the Grice Marine Lab.
A student looking at sea grass under a microscope.
STEM 360 students visit Stono Preserve and learn about the scientific method.
Students sitting at a table holding a test tube and learning about science.
Slime!
Students doing chemistry and making slime.
The touch tank at Grice Marine Lab is a hit!
Two people holding animals, a turtle and a crab.
 
 

See what our STEM 360 students do when they're on campus.

Year-round youth and pre-college programs

Programs are offered for elementary, middle, and high school students. We also offer sports camps and clinics.

Find Out More

CofC STEM FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

If you are interested in having a College of Charleston STEM experience in your classroom, contact India Ballard at ballardi@cofc.edu. We’d love to hear from you.