Earlier this month, Liberty STEAM Charter School invited Sumter Utilities to participate in their first annual Workforce Development Day, and we happily obliged! The initiative sought to partner each class of 3rd grade students, or “scholars,” with companies from around Sumter, SC to learn about various careers available to them. Industry representatives join the scholars for an entire day and worked through two projects, both focused on the goal of limiting exposure to harmful UV rays while they played outside.

The first project was to design a shelter that would block UV rays on the playground. Every class completed this project, and saw how their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math could combine to have a real impact in their day to day life.

The second project was led by Training Instructor Mitch Johnson, and gave insight into the utility industry, specifically. The Sumter Utilities scholars worked in teams to create power poles that utilized a working switch and a light. If applied to their real life, this design would allow scholars to play outside even as the sun was setting, giving them more playtime with less UV exposure.

Our scholars were insightful, curious, and so fun to spend the day with. Mitch spoke to the class at length, and answered their many questions! He even had the chance to demonstrate some of our PPE with a Board Member volunteer and show off a bucket truck.

 We found out a few days after our visit that our team was the winner of the challenge!

A huge thank you to Liberty STEAM charter school for the invitation, and for helping train up the next generation of curious and intelligent young people.

As part of our work with Dominion Energy, Sumter Utilities crews have been working along Folly Beach outside of Charleston, SC to replace street lights in an effort to save the turtles.

When sea turtle hatchlings begin looking for the ocean, they look for the bright white light of the moon, which up until now could be easily mistaken for a bright white street light near the beach. By replacing the street lights near their breeding grounds with nearly 40 amber-hued lights, city leaders are aiming to do their part in protecting the sea life.

The new lights will have a distinctly different glow, reducing the disruption to the turtles, and helping more of them find their forever home in the ocean once they hatch.

These efforts from Sumter Utilities crews got a bit of attention in the news! Andrew Siau’s crew, including Wyatt Cline and Robert Williams had a moment to shine in various news outlets, and were praised for keeping a clean uniform and truck throughout the filming process.

Click below to see the news features and learn more about the Folly Beach Turtle project with Dominion Energy.