Founded in 1989, Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers, Inc. (GYSTC) is a private, not-for-profit educational organization designed to increase interest in and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and mathematics as subjects for serious study, particularly among elementary and middle school teachers, students and parents in typically underserved areas in the state. GYSTC is located at Kennesaw State University, located just north of Atlanta, with nine regional centers and programs across the state. Situated on the campuses of public and private colleges and universities, technical colleges, and Regional Education and Service Agencies (RESA), our centers are managed by experienced science educators who deliver and operate programming for their respective centers.

GYSTC is truly a partnership of education, government and business and industry at all levels. Over 150 leaders across Georgia actively volunteer their time, experience and resources to serve on regional GYSTC Boards of Directors. Our Executive Directorate and Board Emeriti are composed of a cross section of leaders from the public colleges and universities, state agency heads and former chief executives of major corporations in Georgia.

The state GYSTC, Inc. Board of Directors is a cooperating partner with Kennesaw State University and shares the responsibility of the overall direction of the organization and for helping to secure and provide resources to support the programs. High-ranking business and educational leaders and representatives from the University System of Georgia, the Technical College System, and the Georgia Department of Education serve on this prestigious board. A typical regional GYSTC Board of Directors is made up of local school superintendents, curriculum directors, business and industry leaders, college and university presidents, faculty and government officials, all working together to increase support for the center and its extensive educational activities.

College administrators at Southern Polytechnic State University located outside Atlanta, GA originated the concept of GYSTC. After carefully reviewing the types of efforts being made across the country to improve math and science education, several things became apparent:

• Programs would only work if they were area autonomous
• Adequate funding and support would require a strong partnership among education, government and business leadership at the local and state level
• High school was too late to focus on encouraging interest and enthusiasm in math, science and the technologies – there was a need for special support at the elementary and middle school level, both for students and teachers

GYSTC was founded in April, 1989 and the first regional Center opened in 1990. The concept was very popular and by late 1997, the eight current Centers were in operation. Each Center has its own board of directors involving more than 150 local business, education and government leaders. Seven of the Centers are located on Higher Education campuses. Since the first Center opening more than 2.5 million students, teachers, parents, school administrators and others have participated in GYSTC conducted or sponsored programs.