School of Polymer Science and Engineering
Outreach and Experiences
Page Content
The International Waterborne, High-Solids and Powder Coatings Symposium
February 23 - 28, 2025
The annual Waterborne Symposium consists of topical sessions covering a broad range
of issues within contemporary coatings science and technology. Held annually for almost
fifty years, the symposium showcases new and innovative technology from academic and
industrial scholars working around the globe.
Please visit us at www.waterbornesymposium.com for any additional information or contact us at info@waterbornesymposium.com | 601.266.4475 for more information.
T.W. Bennett Symposium "Fundamental Research with a Purpose"
April 15, 2025
The Symposium will host notable speakers from academia, industry, and national labs with the theme of Fundamental Research with a Purpose. Dr. Jeffrey Wiggins, polymer science and engineering professor at USM is the 2024-2025 Bennett Distinguished Professor and the Keynote Speaker.
The Symposium is made possible thanks to the T.W. Bennett Endowment, established at USM by Mr. and Mrs. T.W. Bennett, Sr. in honor of their son and his love for the sciences. Earnings from the endowment are used to support research activities of the Bennett Professor and to sponsor the biennial T.W. Bennett Symposium.
High School Competition
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, and the School of Polymer Science and Engineering play a key roles in the establishment and maintenance of these programs.
Mississippi high schools with these program gather annually on the Southern Miss campus to test their knowledge of polymer science and observe polymer science in action.
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
REU: The Research Experience For Undergraduates in a ten week summer program targeted at current undergraduates entering their sophomore – senior year, interested in research in polymer science for a sustainable future. If you are interested, please see more information on the website below.
Program Dates May 27th, 2025-August 1st, 2025.
Summer Research Experience for Teachers (RET)
The Research Experience for Teachers is a six week summer research program for high school and junior college science teachers, looking to experience research in polymer science.
The School of Polymer Science and Engineering offers many programs geared toward helping teachers incorporate polymer science in their classroom. Our National Science Foundation: RET Site for Sustainable Polymer Engineering Research. During the workshop teachers will receive training in laboratory research, laboratory safety, team work, communication styles, and developing research-based activities for their classroom. Selected teachers will receive a $11000 stipend for completing all project components of the workshop (listed in application). They’ll also receive funding for classroom supplies and conference travel.
Applications open on November 15th , 2024 and close on March 31st, 2025.
If you are interested in finding out more information, please visit the website below.
Middle School Science Teachers Workshop
The School of Polymer Science and Engineering is excited to offer a week long workshop during the summer of 2025 for middle school science teachers (5th – 8th grades). Five middle school teachers will be selected to participate in the workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation: EPSCoR Center for Emergent Molecular Optoelectronics (CEMOs) grant. During the workshop teachers will receive training in lesson development, laboratory safety, team work, communication styles, spend time in USM Polymer Science and Engineering laboratories, observing research and developing research-based activities for their classroom. Selected teachers will receive a $1500 stipend for completing all project components of the workshop (listed in application).
Applications are open November 15th, 2024 - April 11, 2025.
Field Trip Requests
Is your class eager to know more about polymer science and engineering? Why not bring them to the School of Polymer Science and Engineering for a morning of fun-filled science demonstrations and an insight into life as an undergraduate in our department? Field trips can be catered to middle and high schoolers, typically between 9 - 11:30 a.m.
For more information, reach out to:
Claire Clemons | Director of Education and Outreach
601 266 6852 | claire.clemons@usm.edu