Writer: Tearanny Street

Mississippi students in grades 6-12 will face off in a day-long series of events in the fields of cell biology, chemistry and robotics, among others, during the Mississippi Science Olympiad at The University of Southern Mississippi Friday, March 27.

The statewide event, scheduled from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the R.C. Cook University Union, will include 23 events for more than 100 aspiring scientists and engineers who compete for the chance to represent Mississippi at the National Science Olympiad at Augusta State University May 15-16.

Dr. Sheila Hendry, director of the Mississippi Science Olympiad and instructor at The Center for Science and Mathematics Education at Southern Miss, stresses the link between the Science Olympiad and the science curriculum standards to pre-service and local school teachers.

“One of the goals of the Science Olympiad is to make science education more exciting, to attract students to careers in science, engineering, and technology,” said Hendry, adding that the tournament uses an inquiry approach to learning science.

The Mississippi Science Olympiad is a regional tournament of a 25-yearlong campaign by the National Science Olympiad to advance science education. In past years, tournament events have come in the form of popular board games and TV shows.

The students are divided into two divisions: Division B for middle school students and Division C for high school students. Groups of 15 students work in collaborative teams to tackle fun and interactive problems designed to bring science to life. One winning team from each division receives funding from the College of Science and Technology to journey to the National Science Olympiad. 

“We have increased the students' opportunity to have an enriching scientific experience at Mississippi Science Olympiad by implementing hands-on areas of activity outside the events,” said Jill Maroo, Olympiad assistant director who is coordinating this statewide tournament with Hendry.

Mississippi Science Olympiad winners will be announced during an awards ceremony at 4:45 p.m. in Reed Green Coliseum.

More information about the Mississippi Science Olympiad competition is available at: www.usm.edu/outreach/mso.html

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.  In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.  Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.