The College of Charleston School of Sciences and Mathematics is hoping to light a spark on February 8, 2014. That day, the 2014 Charleston STEM Festival will be held from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., kicking off a month of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) events. The free festival aimed at getting K-12 students interested in STEM areas will take place in Charleston’s Liberty Square (just outside the South Carolina Aquarium).

[Related: Learn more about Charleston STEM Festival.]

Nearly 40 participants will have interactive exhibits and hands-on activities to highlight local STEM education initiatives, businesses and programs. The festival is funded through a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Program in Public Understanding of Science and Technology and donations from the College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, The Citadel, Google, MeadWestvaco, S2TEM Centers SC, and the SC Coalition of Science & Mathematics.

“This festival is made possible by the collaboration of many organizations throughout the Lowcountry who understand the importance of a strong education in the STEM disciplines,” said Glenda P. La Rue, co-chair of the event. “Together, we’re building a brighter economic future for our families and our region as a whole.”

The College of Charleston will host Piccolo Darwin Week, a new celebration of evolutionary science for children and youth. Events will take place on February 11, 12, and 13, 2014.

[Related: Read about Darwin Week in the Post and Courier.]

Then on February 27, 2014, the women’s basketball team will host the 2nd Annual STEM Education Day in the TD Arena. K-12 students will pack the arena for cool science experiments from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. when a women’s basketball game starts. Timeouts and halftime of the game will be dedicated to educational activities involving students.

For more information, visit and www.facebook.com/charleston.stem.festival.

About the Lowcountry STEM Collaborative: The Lowcountry STEM Collaborative is a South Carolina based non-profit organization that aims to effectively engage the region’s stakeholders to advance STEM literacy, bolster a STEM workforce, and establish our region as a leader in STEM education. For more information Darren Prevost, interim director, at prevostd@lcrsc.org or 843-793-1335.