Future Scientists Program

Outreach to all ages is important to the WQERU.  In 1999, the WQERU formally initiated an Adopt-A-School program with Como Elementary and Middle School in Como, MS.  Beginning in 2003, the program moved closer to the NSL by working within the Oxford and Lafayette County School Districts.  The program provides guest speakers on a variety of scientific topics to elementary, middle, and high school classes, as well as providing special events on campus, such as Earth Day celebrations and Field Days at the University of Mississippi Field Station.  Scientists and staff routinely serve as local and regional science fair judges throughout the year.  Additionally, excess and dated laboratory supplies are offered to science teachers to help with hands-on experiments. 

In 2012, the Adopt-A-School program consolidated its efforts with the nationwide Future Scientists Program led by Dr. Craig Wilson of Texas A&M University.  The Future Scientists Program is designed to assist USDA/ARS reach out to communities and schools with hands-on, inquiry-based activities that link them with USDA/ARS scientists, laboratory sites and current agricultural science research.  The goal is to help science teachers to become more effective and able to enthuse their students about science through engaging them in actual research and thereby raising both their test scores and interest in the sciences.  It puts the excitement back into the learning process by reverting to a hands-on, inquiry-based approach.

 

                                     

The first set of 10 science teachers from the Oxford School District participated in the 2012-2013 school year.  We plan to continue this program as soon as funding is available.  In the interim, we continue serving the local school districts by serving as guest speakers for their classrooms on various science topics.  For more information on the Future Scientists Program nationally, contact Dr. Craig Wilson.

 

Craig Wilson, Ph.D.

Program Director and Co-PI

College of Science, Texas A&M University

514B Blocker Building

3257 TAMU

College Station, TX 77843-3257

(979) 458-4451

cwilson@science.tamu.edu

 

If you have questions about the Oxford / Lafayette County area Future Scientists Program outreach effort, please contact Dr. Matt Moore.