Innovating Education Innovating Education The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science Experience

By Chance Carden

The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) has been providing Mississippi juniors and seniors an immersive educational experience since 1987 It is the sole public, residential high school specifically tailored to meet the needs of the state’s most academically talented students, with a strong emphasis in STEM education Located on the historic campus of the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Mississippi,

MSMS students enjoy access to a wide array of university amenities and services, in addition to MSMS academic buildings, residence halls and a performing arts center

MSMS welcomes Mississippi residents who are current high school soph- omores to apply for enrollment The school actively seeks applicants with a demonstrated history of outstanding academic achievement, a passionate curiosity about the world and a strong desire to work diligently towards their goals Typically, MSMS maintains an enrollment of around 230-240 students, and the Class of 2023, consisting of 104 graduates, accepted a total of $8 2 million in scholarships out of the more than $25 million offered� MSMS consistently ranks first for the overall ACT average among Mississippi high schools, boasting a senior ACT average score of 29

Opposite page: 2023 MSMS graduate Jaiden Ball (Byram) signs an interest form to be included in the upcoming meeting for the Engineering Club. Left: Madison Echols is a Class of 2023 Alumna from Hattiesburg. Right: MSMS Senior Ava Grace Noe (Paris, MS) researched the Record of Apprentices, Bonds and Indentures for Lowndes County, January 1866-October 1870, and portrays Martha Battle Fort. Born into a prominent North Carolina family, Fort moved to Columbus when her family purchased a large tract of land just across the state line in Alabama. Noe’s performance explores the trials Fort faced when her husband died and her second husband engaged in scandalous behavior, which threatened the stability of her family.

“MSMS aims to serve as a valuable support and partner to Mississippi school districts and families,” administrator Ginger Tedder stated� Tedder is an MSMS graduate who returned to the institution in 2023 as the Director for Academic Affairs and promoted to Executive Director in 2024

“One of our goals is to provide gifted students with opportunities to flourish as leaders who understand the significance of creativity, community, scholarship and service,” she said Course offerings at MSMS are diverse, encompassing subjects like French, German, Russian, Engineering Design, App Design, Intro to Artificial Intelligence, 3D Modeling, Photography, Dramatic Performance, Guitar Studies and Piano, among others In addition to coursework, students can engage in tutorial sessions with faculty members to further enhance their learning Faculty members dedicate 10 scheduled office hours per week during non-teaching periods to provide assistance and enrichment tailored to individual student needs

Additionally, all faculty members are available for two extra hours from Monday through Thursday for tutorial sessions

In conjunction with their academic classes, MSMS also offers an extensive variety of programs and clubs for students to choose from The Mentorship Program is a notable offering, providing students with hands-on experience in their chosen career field

As students identify their intended college majors, they collaborate with local community members to acquire valuable workforce skills and practical experience� Each week, students spend approximately three hours with a mentor and complete assignments related to their placements

Regarding mathematics and science instruction, MSMS breaks away from the conventional classroom model Through a partnership with Mississippi State University, students can engage in the MSU Research Program, offering them the unique opportunity to conduct scientific research under the mentorship of both MSMS and MSU staff Students are paired with university professors to contribute to ongoing research projects

This program requires students to attend an orientation session, complete

70 hours of research and present a poster project of their findings “MSU research allows our students to envision themselves as scientists and engineers”, Lib Morgan, an MSMS Chemistry faculty member and MSMS alumna, stated “They get a glimpse of what academic research looks like and how that research is ultimately disseminated to the broader scientific community They get hands-on experience in an area of their choosing and often make significant contributions to the field, getting their first citations or publications as high school students ”

MSMS boasts over 50 student-led clubs and organizations and actively participates in a wide array of academic and special interest competitions Notably, the school takes part in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a global science competition where students have the chance to earn awards and scholarships In the previous year, eight MSMS students were among the 16 Mississippi representatives at ISEF

One student, Madison Echols from the Class of 2023, secured fourth place in Biomedical and Health Sciences for her project titled, “Investigating the Potential for Vitamin D3 to Serve as a Therapeutic Against the Degenerative Effects of Diabetes Using Drosophila Melanogaster as a Model Organism ”

Students and staff also combine research with performance through the Tales from the Crypt project created by the late Carl Butler in 1991 According to MSMS Director for Advancement Melonie Busby, the program helps students, “ combine the best of scholarly research with the best of dramatic performance ”

To begin, students embark on primary document research related to individuals buried at the historic Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi Students then transform their research findings into dramatic monologues, presenting them in evening performances on the cemetery grounds for the public The project has garnered numerous awards, including the 2005 Governor’s Excellence in the Arts Award, and has received recognition in publications across the United States

In support of their mission to grow their outreach and partnerships, and to become a resource for Mississippi public school districts, some MSMS students create math problems and activities based on children’s books at the local public library This content is then shared with students in grades Pre-K to 8 at programs like Math Superstars, which is a math contest for young students who love to problem-solve� MSMS math teacher Lauren Zarandona, discussed how students go beyond simply learning the content and use it to give back

“Math Outreach at MSMS stands out as a unique opportunity for MSMS to serve their community authentically while addressing what they feel is a major need: a lack of opportunity for mathematical excellence for all students in all schools,” Zarandona said

Looking ahead, MSMS continues to explore new curriculum offerings to adapt to trends in college majors and workforce needs� The school is expanding its catalog of online STEM courses available to Mississippi students and school districts Moreover, MSMS is experimenting with innovative cross-curriculum learning methods, offering special project courses designed by faculty to engage students in problem solving and inquiry while highlighting their unique passions and talents These project courses delve into highly specific topics, including areas of study such as Cryptography and Medical Spanish

As New York Times bestselling author Deb Fallows said, “MSMS is a gift from Mississippi to the country and a lesson and model for secondary education,” and with the school’s expansive and unique offerings, it is easy to see why The institution’s commitment to academic excellence, mentorship programs, research opportunities and diverse range of clubs and organizations showcases its dedication to nurturing the next generation of leaders and driving innovation in Mississippi education