2013
ECM pilots Engaged Learning Experiences (ELE) in Charleston County School District
Milestones in ECM's History
2013
2014
2015
2016
2014
ECM pilots Summer STEAM Institute®
2015
Summer STEAM Institute® launches at Clarendon School District One
2016
ECM launches Engaged Learning Experiences in Berkeley County School District
2017
2018
2019
2020
2017
Engaged Learning Experiences (ELE) in Dorchester District Two launch.
2018
Summer STEAM Institute® kicks off in Allendale and Barnwell 19.
2019
ECM pilots summer Engaged Learning Experiences in Allendale, Barnwell 19, and Charleston County School District.
2020
ECM continues to grow despite the Pandemic by launching CReATE Kits and sending them out across the state.
2021
2022
2023
2021
ECM merges with YEScarolina to create a K-12 pipeline of innovative programming.
2022
Arts Grow SC expands ECM's reach to 10 new Summer STEAM® sites.
2023
Arts Grow SC expands ECM's reach to 11 afterschool sites.
imagination
Who we are
ECM, a nonprofit based in Charleston, South Carolina, works with school districts, principals, teachers, and the local workforce to identify specific knowledge and skillsets all students should master before graduating high school. Our ECM Instructors are local artists, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professionals, and cultural organizations who we train to work with K-12 teachers. Our instructors help teachers to enhance student learning via arts integrating learning using innovation, design, and creativity. Our goal is for every student to achieve academically, stay engaged in school, and succeed in life; while their teachers develop engaging teaching strategies in arts integration and entrepreneurship that foster communication, critical thinking, self-awareness, and future planning. Teachers and students report that ECM is a powerful model of success.
engage
What we do
In School
ECM Coaches work with ECM Instructors and teachers to bring Engaged Learning Experiences (ELEs) into K-8th grade classrooms.
Afterschool
ECM is thrilled to be working with schools around the state of South Carolina in the afterschool space! We run a variety of programs for K-12 on topics including arts integration, STEAM, and entrepreneurship.
Summer Camp
ECM's Summer STEAM Institute (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) is a 6-week camp for rising K-8th graders designed to prevent summer learning loss.
Entrepreneurship
In the fall of 2021, ECM merged with YEScarolina, a nonprofit that has helped thousands of students in grades 9-12 from communities statewide build business skills and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit. This merger gives ECM the opportunity to provide a robust K-12 educational pipeline.
Professional Development
ECM empowers and supports teachers by giving them the tools, confidence and skill level to successfully integrate the arts and light a spark in every one of their student's creative and innovative spirits.
School Grants
20% of net proceeds from our annual fundraiser, The Charleston Marathon, are awarded to teachers for Arts Integration projects.