The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) is pleased to announce a generous grant of $498,000 from Google.org, the company’s philanthropy to support NCSSM’s Data Science Summer Institute and its Faculty Fellows program.
These initiatives align with NCSSM’s mission to advance public education in North Carolina and beyond, preparing a next generation of leaders who are proficient in data science and ready to make informed decisions in a data-driven world.
“Data on all aspects of our lives and economy is being collected more comprehensively every day,” notes Taylor Gibson, Dean of Data Science and Interdisciplinary Initiatives at NCSSM. “The rapidly expanding field of data science prepares students to use data to address society’s challenges both great and small, and this grant enhances our ability to offer cutting-edge coursework.”
Scheduled for June 23 – 27, at the NCSSM-Morganton campus, the 2025 Data Science Summer Institute is a weeklong workshop designed for educators interested in teaching data science at the high school or introductory college levels. The program aims to equip teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively introduce data science concepts to their students, thereby fostering a data-literate generation prepared to tackle society’s challenges.
The grant will offset the cost of travel for selected participants, ensuring that educators from various regions can attend without financial barriers. This support underscores Google’s commitment to advancing education and promoting equity in access to cutting-edge technological training.
“Google.org is committed to supporting organizations that are using technology to create a positive impact on the world,” said Lilyn Hester, Google Head of Southeast External Affairs and Government Relations. “We are proud to further enable NCSSM’s efforts to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the field of data science.”
Applications for the institute will open on Feb. 3, with a priority deadline of March 3. Educators from diverse school types, subject areas, and experience levels are encouraged to apply. While priority is given to applicants from North Carolina, educators from other states are also welcome and have participated in previous years.
The grant also supports the Faculty Fellows program, which is dedicated to supporting NCSSM faculty in enhancing and updating the curriculum across various academic programs to include data science and AI components. This initiative encourages innovative instruction that can be shared with schools throughout North Carolina, ensuring that students statewide have access to cutting-edge education in these critical fields.
For more information about the Data Science Summer Institute and application details, please visit datascience.ncssm.edu/summer-institute.
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About NCSSM: The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is a public high school where talented students from across the state receive a world-class education with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through innovative programs and partnerships, NCSSM is dedicated to advancing public education and preparing students for leadership and service.
About Google.org: Google.org, Google’s philanthropy, brings the best of Google to help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges combining funding, innovation, and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone. We support nonprofits and social enterprises who make a significant impact on the communities they represent, and whose work has the potential to produce meaningful change. We want a better world, faster — and we believe in leveraging technology and applying scalable data-driven innovation to move the needle.
Contacts:
Bryan Gilmer, Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs and Chief Communications Officer
bryan.gilmer@ncssm.edu
Emily Cunard, Director of Communications, Morganton
emily.cunard@ncssm.edu
