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Join us for these upcoming professional learning and K-12 STEM opportunities!

Disclaimer: Photographs featured in this publication were taken following appropriate protocols at the time.

Mississippi Forge Forward

The Mississippi Forge Forward initiative is a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Defense of Local Defense Community Cooperation and provides an opportunity for collaboration between the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence and the Center for Mathematics and Science Education both located on the University of Mississippi campus. This program provides a variety of engaging opportunities for industry representatives, students, and educators.


Two summer programs will be offered in 2022 using the IGNITE: Mastering Manufacturing Curriculum.

MSFF- Student Logo.jpg

2022 Student Summer Experience

The Mississippi Forge Forward Summer Experience for students is open to rising (2022-2023) high school juniors and seniors, as well as rising college freshmen and sophomores. During this one-week summer event, selected students will work directly with faculty and staff from the Haley Barbour Center for Manufacturing Excellence on the University of Mississippi Campus to design and develop a functioning prototype relevant to the defense industry.

Student applications deadline been extended until March 1, 2022.

MSFF- Educator Logo.jpg

2022 Educator Summer Experience

The Mississippi Forge Forward Summer Experience for educators is designed to support high school teachers, counselors, and college instructors in their efforts to share career opportunities with students. This 3-day experience will focus on providing information about the manufacturing industry to enable educators to prepare the next generation of the manufacturing workforce in Mississippi. CEUs are available to educators, if needed.


Educator registration deadline is

May 15, 2022.

Mississippi Forge Forward Information

Professional Learning Opportunities

MSSGC Mini-Grants in STEM Enhancement

The Mississippi Space Grant Consortium (MSSGC) Mini-Grants in STEM Enhancement Program seeks to support K-12 STEM programs through hands-on experience, experiential learning, curriculum development, educational opportunities, or other related activities. Proposers can be teachers, faculty, or staff of any accredited educational institution in the state of Mississippi. Partnerships that ensure long-term impact are highly encouraged.



Proposals Due: February 7, 2022

Awardees Notified: April 2022

Awards Distributed: June 2022

Period of Performance: August 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023

End-of-Project Report Due: April 15, 2023


MSSGC Mini-Grants Information

The MSSGC Director anticipates funding up to two awards. The maximum individual award is a $1000.

Middle Math Institute Information

Middle Math Institute: Expressions, Equations, and Functions

Audience: K-12 Teachers

Dates: February 14 - April 8, 2022

Time: Virtual Discussions, 6:00 - 7:30 P.M. Tuesdays

Location: Online Course

Registration Deadline: February 7, 2022

Cost: $450 per institute (includes 2.4 CEUs)



This institute is one of four in the CMSE Middle Math Institutes. Educators who complete all four institutes will be eligible to receive a Mississippi Middle Level Mathematics (901) Supplemental Endorsement.

Science Teaching with Embedded Primary Sources (STEPS)

Audience: Grades K-12; Science Teachers

Dates: February 4 - April 4, 2022

Location: Online Course via Canvas

Registration Deadline: February 15, 2022

(or until capacity is reached)

CEUs: 1.2 CEUs



Support for STEPS participants comes from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Program.

STEPS Information

Conversations with the CMSE

RISE Collaboratives

Dr. Alice Steimle, Director of the Center for Mathematics and Science Education, has been invited to take part in the Reagan Institute Summit on Education (RISE) Collaboratives on February 16-17, 2022 in Jackson, MS. These in-depth conversations on education will include a variety of experts that will share their knowledge about their work and also will gain insight about the work of others.

RISE Collaboratives Information

Graduate Research Fellowship Opportunity

The Center for Mathematics and Science Education Graduate Research Fellows for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Bethany LaValley, CMSE Graduate Research Fellow, leads a multiplication fluency game during the Mathematics Mentoring Academy for Teachers of Exceptional Students (MathMATES) professional learning opportunity that took place on July 12-16, 2021.

Applications for the CMSE Graduate Research Fellowship are now open! This competitive fellowship offers full-time graduate tuition; a competitive stipend; a travel budget to attend state, regional, and/or national conferences; and a professional library. The application deadline is March 1, 2022!


Graduate Research Fellows are an integral part of the Center for Mathematics and Science Education. Fellows are full-time graduate students pursuing a Masters or Doctoral degree in mathematics education, science education, or elementary education with an emphasis in math and science.





Graduate Fellowship Application Timeline


January 1 - Application Window Opens


March 1 - Application Window Closes


April 15 - Notification to all Applicants


April 30 - Deadline to Accept Fellowship Offer

Graduate Research Fellowship Information

Undergraduate Opportunities

Undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Mississippi are engaged in the work of the CMSE in a variety of ways. Through volunteer opportunities and part-time employment, UM students have made valuable contributions to our mission. We encourage students with an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to explore a variety of ways to get involved with our programs.


  • Undergraduate Assistants
  • Student Volunteer Opportunities
  • Undergraduate Courses

Noah McKone (second referee in photo), a CMSE Undergraduate Assistant from 2019-2021, engages in a conversation with Dr. Kevin McKone (first referee in photo), who served as Head Referee for the 2019-2020 First Tech Challenge Championship.

Undergraduate Opportunities Information

K-12 STEM Experiences

The Center for Mathematics and Science Education coordinates the Tombigbee, Northeast, and Northwest chapter competitions in Mississippi for 6th-8th grade students. The 2021-2022 competition series will take place virtually on February 17, 2022. If you are interested in registering your student(s) please register on the MATHCOUNTS® website.

MATHCOUNTS® Website

The Mississippi Girls State Chess Championship is an annual chess tournament for students in the state of Mississippi and welcomes students of any level of play to compete in a fun and exhilarating atmosphere on the Ole Miss campus. Mississippi Girls State Chess Championship is hosted by the Mississippi Chess Association in partnership with the Center for Mathematics and Science Education at the University of Mississippi.


Date: March 19-20, 2022

Location: University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS

Grades: K - 12

Cost: $20 (After March 21st: $30)

Registration Deadline: March 16, 2022 at 12 A.M.

MS Girls State Chess Championship Information

The Division of Outreach, the School of Engineering, and the CMSE at the University of Mississippi invite Mississippi students and teachers to participate in the 15th Annual Catapult Competition that will be held at the University of Mississippi!


Teams of 2-4 students will compete in five competitions throughout the day that will implement a variety of engineering processes and principles.


Date: April 7, 2022

Location: University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS

Grades: Middle and High School Students

Cost: $75 per team

Registration Deadline: March 24, 2022

Catapult Competition

Calling All Volunteers!

All FIRST events are free and open to the public. Restrictions at some venues may be enforced due to the COVID-19 situation. Are you interested in volunteering? FTC is recruiting for volunteers for the League Tournaments on February 19th and for the FTC Championship that is being held March 4th and 5th at the University of Mississippi. Email Mannie Lowe, FTC Project Manager, at [email protected] for details!


FIRST Tech Challenge Mississippi Schedule


Saturday, February 5, 2022

  • Northern League Meet (Morning) - Grenada 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
  • Northern League Meet (Afternoon) - Grenada 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
  • Southern League Tournament - Biloxi 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.


Saturday, February 12, 2022

  • Mississippi FIRST LEGO League Championship - Pearl 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.


Saturday, February 19, 2022

  • Northern League Tournament - Water Valley 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
  • Central League Tournament - Meridian 8:00 A.M. - 5:00P.M.


Friday and Saturday, March 4-5, 2022

  • Friday, March 4 - FTC Championship - Oxford 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
  • Saturday, March 5 - FTC Championship - Oxford 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.



MS FIRST Tech Challenge
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