The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science’ free online enrichment program, Full STEAM Ahead, will launch two new free virtual activities focused on engineering and biology for elementary and middle school students in early November.
Engineering instructor Danielle Grimes will host “Bio-Inspired Design: Woodpeckers, Rams, and Super-Safe Helmets” Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. CT. During this 25-minute Zoom activity, third- through sixth-graders will learn how engineers observe nature to derive inspiration for engineering designs. More specifically, Grimes will focus on engineers who are currently studying rams and woodpeckers to redesign safer helmets for humans. After that, students will be challenged to use what they’ve learned to create a design of their own.
The week after, MSMS students will host a virtual 3-D Design Challenge for fifth- and sixth-graders, where they will learn to use software to create various designs. This 45-minute virtual activity will be hosted through Zoom every week starting Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. If students aren’t able to attend during the scheduled time, session recordings will be available on themsms.org.
“The purpose of these sessions is to encourage young students to be creative while also helping them become more comfortable with current engineering technologies,” Grimes said. “Our hope is young students will walk away from these experiences with the knowledge that they can also be an engineer if they want to be.”
Launched during the summer 2020, Full STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Ahead continues to establish new activities for K-12 students and educators to participate in virtually anywhere during the school year and over the summer.
Currently, MSMS offers Weekly Wednesday Workouts for first- through sixth-grade students. During these live activity sessions, MSMS students lead participants through mathematical problem sets based on their grade level standards.
Students can register to participate individually, or teachers can register their entire class for this enrichment experience. To register, visit themsms.org/programs-camps/online.
The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is a prestigious, public high school in Columbus specifically designed for academically gifted and talented students across the state. It offers specialized courses in mathematics, entrepreneurship, computer science, engineering, and lab- based sciences to assist students in making the connection between the classroom and their potential career paths. MSMS is currently accepting applications for the Class of 2023. To learn more and start the application process, visit themsms.org/admissions.
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