South Carolina Academy of Science Annual Awards

Q  The Governor's Award was established in 1985 by the Drug Science Foundation to honor specifically an individual or team within the state whose achievements and contributions to science in South Carolina merit special recognition and to promote wider awareness of the quality and extent of scientific activity in South Carolina.  Since 1989 the award, named the "Governor's Award for Excellence in Science", has been under the joint sponsorship of the Governor's office and the South Carolina Academy of Science.  In 1993 these groups were joined by the Dewees Development Corporation and Harbor Watch of Charleston.  In 2000 Roche Carolina Inc. took the lead, in 2004 MeadWestvaco joined and in 2005 Michelin North America joined in sponsorship of the Governor's Awards.
  Beginning in 1990, two of these awards were given annually with one being for scientific discovery and the other for scientific awareness.  In 2005 the Academy, in conjunction with the Governor's Office, initiated the sponsorship of a third award directed to a gifted young researcher (only those individuals who have completed no more than 12 years beyond the Ph.D.). The award is called the Governor's Young Scientist Award for Excellence in Scientific Research and was sponsored by Michelin North America. The awards consist of an honorarium of $1,000 and a handsomely framed certificate which is presented to the recipient at a special awards ceremony held in the spring in conjunction with the South Carolina Academy of Science's annual meeting.  (Click here for more information)

Q   The SCAS (TOY) Award for Excellence in Secondary School Science Teaching is awarded each year to a South Carolina high school teacher who demonstrates the capability necessary to motivate, stimulate and enable students to learn and apply scientific principles to the best of their abilities. (2008 Winner) Contact Linda Sinclair, State Dept. of Education, 801-H Rutledge Building, 1429 Senate St., Columbia, SC 29201, sinclai@ed.sc.gov  .(Click here for more information) 

Q   High School Research Awards  Each year, the South Carolina Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the Clemson University Chapter of Sigma Xi and the South Carolina Junior Academy of Science sponsor an awards program, which supports original research projects conducted by high school students throughout the state.  The maximum award is $250.00. For previous winners, please click here.

If one or more of your students are interested in this program, you may obtain application materials by  calling, Faxing, or e-mailing Dr. Dave Slimmer at Lander University. Phone: 1.864.388.8386  Fax: 1.864.388.8130  E-Mail: dslimmer@lander.edu . or by clicking here for the application, and here for the required checklists. This form is in editable Adobe format, so you are able to type directly onto the form. PLEASE REMEMBER TO SEND IN AN ABSTRACT ALONG WITH THE GRANT APPLICATION.

The deadline for the return of competed applications is October 31, 2007. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed. Please Provide a complete return address.  FAX addresses preferred.

Invertebrate Award    This award is given to the best invertebrate research paper presented at the SCAS Annual Meeting. The winner earns $250. The Award is sponsored by an anonymous donor . To see the winner for 2008, click here. For more information, please contact Bill Pirkle, Undergraduate Research Awards Director,  at porkle@sc.edu or 803-641-3395.

Q   The Sigma Xi Undergraduate Research Paper Awards are co-sponsored by the Clemson University Chapter of Sigma Xi and the Charleston Area Chapter of Sigma Xi. Awards are given for papers or posters representing outstanding scientific research done by undergraduates and presented at the Annual Meeting. Usually five to seven awards are made. Judging criteria for the oral presentations are found here. Judging criteria for the poster presentations can be seen here. For the winners in 2008, click here. This awards committee is chaired by Dr. Bill Pirkle, Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC 29801 (803-641-3395).

Q The American Associate for the Advancement of Science Award is given to the best female and male undergraduate scientists based on their presentations at the Annual Meeting. The Award carries a year's complimentary membership in AAAS that includes a subscription to Science. For the 2008 winners, click here. For more information, contact Dr. Bill Pirkle, Department of Biology and Geology, University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC 29801 (803-641-3395).

Q   The Greater Piedmont Chapter's Explorers Club, which is affiliated with The Explorers Club International (World Center for Exploration) presents three awards on an annual basis. The awards are given to individuals who present papers at the annual meeting of the South Carolina Academy of Science. Winners are determined by a committee of judges selected by the participating Sigma Xi chapters. Stipends vary from year to year. The three awards are: the "Jackson Award," for excellence in high school presentations; the "Byrne Award," for excellence in undergraduate presentation; and the "Fulton Award," for excellence in graduate presentations. (For 2008 Winners, click here). The contact person is Horace Byrne, Treasurer of the Greater Piedmont Chapter.

Q The South Carolina Junior Academy of Science participates in the SCAS/SCJAS Annual Meeting. Students from across the state are able to present their research at this event. Awards are given based upon category, as well as other criteria. For a list of winners from the 2008 Annual Meeting, click here . Information regarding registering for and presenting at the meeting can be obtained by contacting Anthony Kurlychek at kurlycha@gwm.sc.edu .

Q   National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) is open to high school seniors who have demonstrated achievement in the area of science. The award is a four week all expenses paid experience in West Virginia near the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank and within the unique wilderness area of the Monongahela National Forest where campers have the opportunity to network with scientists, work on research projects, visit Washington DC, and participate in many outdoor activities. For the 2007 winners, click here.The application packet can be downloaded from the web site, www.sciencecamp.org. The deadline for submitting an application in South Carolina is TBA, 2008. (The suggested deadlines at the web site do not apply to SC) Complete information along with answers to frequently asked questions can be found at the web site. Completed applications should be sent to : Linda D. Sinclair/ State Science Consultant/Math and Science Unit/Office of Curriculum and Standards/South Carolina Department of Education/801-H Rutledge Building/1429 Senate Street/Columbia, South Carolina 29201/lsinclai@sde.state.sc.us