High School Competition

High School Competition
November 10, 2023

School of Polymer Science and Engineering
Thames Polymer Science Research Center

Mississippi is the only state with high school polymer science programs. The Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI), located at Southern Miss, plays a key role in the establishment of these programs.

Six south Mississippi high schools will gather on the Southern Miss campus on Thursday, November 10, 2022, to test their knowledge of polymer science and observe some scientific experiments.

Schools and Teachers 

Brookhaven High School – Leah Ann Peavey 

Hancock County Career Technical Center – Arlette Bates 

Hattiesburg High School – James Brownlow 

Pascagoula-Gautier College and Career Technical Institute – Toben Dubose 

Petal High School – Dr. Krystin Holmes 

Simpson County – Dick Wendt 

The competition is designed to encourage interest in science, including academic and career opportunities, among high school students. Included will be a variety of activities giving students a chance to test their knowledge about polymer science, such as the popular Quiz Bowl.

Other scheduled activities will include demonstrations of experiments using polymer materials, problem solving activities and tours of the university's internationally renowned polymer science research facilities. During their visit, these high school students will have the opportunity to interact with polymer science faculty and students.