Hootie and Blowfish Help Kids

A grant from the Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation will give 750 fifth graders from low-income schools in Georgetown County an opportunity to go aboard the USS Yorktown to participate in educational programs offered by the Patriots Point Institute of History and Science.

“Part of our mission at Patriots Point is to provide South Carolina students with a foundation in education in a way that is exciting and meaningful,” said Mac Burdette, Patriots Point Executive Director.

The foundation funded by Hootie and Blowfish, the Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum rock band with roots in South Carolina, was established in 2000. Administered by the Central Carolina Community Foundation, the foundation benefits youths across the state.

More than 10,000 students participated in Patriots Point’s fifth grade history and science program in 2011, according to a Patriots Point news release. The program, which features standards-based instruction that covers history, science, math and literacy components, was developed as a supplement to 75 percent of the fifth grade curriculum.

Instruction features six stations as well as a pre-arrival program and post-program comprehension assessment test. The Patriots Point Development Authority Business Plan projects that 20,000 students will attend Institute programs by 2014.

“We are grateful for the support of Senator Ray Cleary and generosity of the Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation,” Burdette added.  “Thanks to their involvement, 750 students from Georgetown County will be able to explore Patriots Point and participate in our educational programs.”