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

Some 64 projects had been registered for the fair, each having been produced by one to three students. The participants represent schools from Darlington, Florence, Horry, Lee and Marlboro counties, according to Josh Witten, the Governor School's director of research and inquiry and organizer of the event.

Projects had been divided between a junior division, comprising students grades 5-8, and a senior division, including grades 9-12.

The junior division comprised 54 projects across seven categories:

Witten said in an interview there would be winners of individual categories, as well as one overall winner, who would earn a scholarship for the school’s summer outreach program.

The senior division had 10 projects in two categories: Natural sciences and engineering. Witten said one or two winners, either category or overall, would receive a $1,000 Scientific Achievement Award scholarship to attend Coker University, also in Hartsville. One senior project will go on to compete on the national level at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, to be held in Phoenix this May.

Gayle Kansagor, chief communications and marketing officer for the Society for Science, said in an email, “Students who participate in research competitions like this are significantly more likely to pursue STEM majors and careers. Where they ultimately land often depends on where strong local opportunities exist.”

While this kind of event connects young people with careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, it does not necessarily lead to a potential workforce for the Pee Dee. Compare this with the Pee Dee Pathways program, one of the stated purposes of which is to “strengthen the education-to-workforce pipeline across our region.”

Jennifer Furlong, director of marketing and communications for the Governor’s School, said in an email, “In 2025, one of our judges was so impressed with the presentation of one of the high school students that they offered the student an industry mentorship opportunity. Science and engineering fairs are looking to create more systematic structures to support these types of opportunities as the concept of the STEM workforce has expanded and diversified."

“This is how you get them started in the workforce,” Witten said. “The challenge is that you need to balance both pushing people forward but not discouraging them. The No. 1 role of the judge is, not to go easy on the students, but to remember that they, their teachers, everybody here has chosen to do something.

“The science and engineering fair, when not done well, becomes a system for ranking kids. When done well they provide an opportunity for encouragement and competition and help create that aspirational component. It’s not that you failed; it’s that somebody else did great.”

The Governor’s School is in its second year hosting this science fair. Witten explained that the event had gone on hiatus 2020-2024 because of the coronavirus. Before that, Francis Marion University had been hosting it. He said the Governor’s School plans to continue hosting the fair, adding the next one will likely be held in the same mid-March period.

“In the future, we hope to continue to expand the participation from both regional businesses and educational institutions as judges, sponsors, and grantors of awards,” Furlong said. “Our judges currently include representatives from local businesses, which enables direct connection with presenting students, as well as opportunities to connect with teachers. As we expand awards, we will have a particular focus on awards that include an experiential interaction component, such as mentorships or internships.”

Kansagor said, “We find that students generally stay where they can see a clear pathway, such as internships, research placements and competitive jobs.”

Invitations to the science fair had been extended to schools in 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 by the Governor’s school.