The school held its big reveal during Inside GSSM, an event where the public can explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on activities.

Jackie Weber, the Governor's School outreach director of educator development programs, said in a phone interview that the $550,000 grant represents a first round of funding. “Originally, we received the initial award for $500,000 in September, and then $50,000 in November,” Weber said, adding that the school has the opportunity to reapply for the second round in three years.

In a December statement, the Governor's School had said its aim with these programs was to build AI literacy in the state, bolster a tech talent pool and prepare students for a rapidly changing digital economy.

The faculty fellows will complete Google AI Essentials career certification and ultimately build AI-infused lessons, projects and research for students to shape AI education in the state. The school’s inaugural class of fellows comprises:

Weber said the school plans to add five fellows in the fall, “so we will be expanding that role and providing more resources for the state.”

For the AI educator summer institute, the fellowship will assemble education AI and data science resources that K-12 teachers in South Carolina can integrate into their classrooms. According to its website, the school will hold its first summer institute in July, featuring keynote speaker Eric Curts, an education technology specialist who runs the blog ControlAltAchieve.com.

Weber said the school has been taking applications for the summer institute program for only nine days, but “we have received 110 applicants for 50 positions ... We may have to approach Google for additional funding.”

Lilyn Hester, Google’s global community development and engagement and AI adviser, spoke at the unveiling, saying, “Why did Google choose to support the specific work here at the Governor's School? The SC workforce is at a turning point ... by 2030 it’s projected that nearly one in four jobs in South Carolina will be impacted by AI.”

State legislators Sen. JD Chaplin — Darlington, District 29 — and Rep. Robert Williams — Darlington, District 62 — also spoke at the event, as did Hartsville Mayor Dan Askins III.

Chaplin said, “For so long, rural South Carolina has always been struck behind on innovations like this, coming in way after everyone else, but now we can look to the world and say, ‘No, we are not going to be in last; we’re not going to be an afterthought.’”

Williams said, “South Carolina is the fastest state in the nation in terms of growth. We are growing beyond measure. As a matter of fact, we’re growing so fast, we don’t know how to contain it at this point.”

Askins said, “It’s no accident that the Governor’s School for Science and Math is located in Hartsville, SC. For well over a hundred years, Hartsville’s been at the center of it — a hot bed for innovation, entrepreneurship and innovation.”

Governor’s School President Danny Dorsel also spoke, saying “This partnership, we do think, will last a long time.”

Weber explained over the phone that most of the recipients of these grants are in North Carolina. “We are the first in South Carolina,” she said, adding that the GSSM’s sister school, the NC School for Science and Mathematics, has had their grant for three years and is currently applying for their second round of funding.

Weber said that, while the NC School for Science and Math is focused on improving its own AI curricula, she had “tweaked” the Governor's School grant application “to benefit teachers statewide.”

Weber said Google is “very generous with educational institutes, so we're very lucky.”