In a Dec. 23 statement, the Hartsville-based Governor's School said it will host the SC Sand Hills Region IV Science and Engineering Fair at its campus on March 13. Coker University, also in Hartsville, will award a $1,000 tuition scholarship to winners of each high school category of the fair.

The fair will be open to students grades 5-12 from Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Lee, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties. At last year's fair, more than 60 students from eight schools in Darlington, Horry and Lee counties presented 40 projects "across a wide range of scientific fields," according to a March 2025 statement from the Governor's school.

Neval Erturk, Governor's School executive director for research, global, and innovative initiatives said in the December statement, “Coker University’s partnership not only recognizes student achievement but also opens pathways to higher education."

“This partnership allows Coker University to recognize exceptional student achievement while strengthening STEM pathways from our regional schools to college success," Coker University Provost Susan Henderson said in the statement.

The SC Sand Hills Region IV Science and Engineering Fair is affiliated with the International Science and Engineering Fair, which is owned by the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Society for Science.

This story was updated on Jan. 7 at 1 p.m.