Launchpad 2024
Launchpad is GSSM’s highly successful summer bridge program. This year’s program will be July 7 – 20, 2024. Approximately 30 incoming juniors will participate in this enrichment opportunity designed to bolster students’ math knowledge before beginning our fast-paced curriculum in the fall. A strong foundation in math is critical to successful completion of our rigorous STEM curriculum.
Launchpad is a residential program: all students stay in GSSM’s residence halls. The dining hall is open and provides a fine variety of options throughout the two weeks. Residence hall staff (professionals) and Student Assistants (recent graduates) provide guidance, activities and supervision throughout the program.
- Academics
Concentrated time will be spent bolstering students’ math knowledge and skills each morning. Students will be introduced to problem solving strategies, develop their quantitative reasoning skills, review key algebraic concepts, and have plenty of time to work on problems alone, with their teachers and with peers.
Students will have additional academic experiences! English classes, biology, chemistry, biology and physics labs will provide a hands-on, interactive introduction to GSSM academics. These experiences will help students adjust to the expectations, excitement and rigor of the fall curriculum, along with skills to manage it all.
All classes will be taught by GSSM faculty and staff. Successful completion of Launchpad will help our incoming juniors hit the ground running this fall!
- Cost
There is no cost for attending Launchpad. We provide room, meals, books, and supplies. Students will need only modest amounts of money for incidental, personal expenses. We ask only that students commit to spending both weeks with us and work hard as they embrace life as Govies. Launchpad is part of our commitment to helping all students succeed at GSSM.
- Living Arrangements
All Launchpad students live in the GSSM residence halls. They are supervised by professional residence life staff and recent GSSM graduates – Student Assistants.
- Nights & Weekends
Launchpad is not all academics! We’ll also enjoy outings to Hartsville’s favorite student destinations, along with evening and weekend fun activities and excursions. Evenings and the weekend will help students learn the art of living and learning in a collaborative community of students from throughout South Carolina.
- Selection
Selection for Launchpad is based on a careful review of several factors including each incoming student’s GSSM Math Placement assessment, and courses taken and grades earned at the home high school. Particular attention is given to math preparation; as a STEM school, we are well aware the significant role a strong foundation in mathematics plays in success throughout our curriculum.
Due to our desire to keep this program fairly small, attendance is by invitation only.
