This blog post was guest written by our partners from Tallo.
Scientists are becoming the rising heroes of our time, so why should college athletes have all
the fun? That is exactly what Tallo was thinking, when we partnered with Boeing to create
STEM Signing Day to honor high school seniors who are pursuing a STEM education at two-
and four-year colleges and universities across the country in 2017.
We did not want to cancel this year’s events due to the COVID-19 outbreak, so we quickly
pivoted toward virtual events, making this year’s STEM Signing Days the largest ones yet.
Three separate virtual events, for high school seniors in Delaware, South Carolina, and
the Potomac region enabled students and their loved ones – family, friends, mentors, and
educators – to tune in via the livestream and participate from the comfort and safety of their
own homes. The ceremonies included a video from each student, including their high school
name, their educational and future plans, and a photo holding their signed certificate of intent.
Delaware’s STEM Signing Day, presented by Boeing and Fame, Inc. and powered by
Tallo, honored 20 students, and included keynote remarks from Senator Chris Coons,
Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, Boeing executives, and community leaders. The
Governor and Lieutenant Governor even presented a proclamation naming April 14 as STEM
Signing Day in Delaware!
South Carolina’s fourth annual STEM Signing Day, presented by Boeing, the South Carolina
Manufacturers Alliance, and South Carolina Future Makers and powered by Tallo, honored 92
students and included keynote remarks from South Carolina Superintendent of Education
Molly Spearman, the University of South Carolina’s head women’s basketball coach, Dawn
Staley, and others.
The first ever Potomac STEM Signing Day honored 30 students, and featured Senator Chris
Van Hollen, Washington, D.C. public schools Chancellor Dr. Lewis Ferebee, Smithsonian
Director Dr. Ellen Stofan, Boeing executives, Virginia’s Secretary of Education Atif Qarni,
and local community leaders.
While these events were not originally intended to be virtual, holding the ceremonies
online made these events the largest and most accessible ones yet. In total there were nearly
2,500 participants and attendees who tuned in during our livestream broadcasts. Casey Welch,
Tallo’s CEO and Co-founder said it best: “Celebrating and encouraging the next generation of
STEM leaders has never been more important. These students are who we’ll be looking to
during future public health crises, and we can’t let our current situation stop us from
connecting them with opportunities.” Tallo is proud to be a part of honoring our country’s
future STEM leaders, and we can’t wait for next year’s Signing Days!
To watch the highlights from the South Carolina STEM Signing Day, check out this video.