USM Center for STEMed

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USM Center for STEMed USM’s Center for STEM Education is the only program in Mississippi to offer graduate degrees in math and science education.

We have the faculty and courses you need to advance your ability to share STEM concepts or engage in STEM education research.

WANTED: Students in grades 3 to 8 who want to explore STEM activities along the coast, aren't afraid to get a little dir...
04/10/2026

WANTED: Students in grades 3 to 8 who want to explore STEM activities along the coast, aren't afraid to get a little dirty and want to expand their minds during spring break.

The S3 Spring Break Camp will be March 28 to April 2, 2027, at the MSU Coastal Research and Extension Center from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuition is only $50 per student.

Seating is limited. Registration will open February 1, 2027.

The S3 campers and educators would like to thank Tracy Galloway at Galloway Family Farm and Educational Center for welco...
02/10/2026

The S3 campers and educators would like to thank Tracy Galloway at Galloway Family Farm and Educational Center for welcoming us to the thriving farm. From tasting edible plants to feeding chickens and turkeys and tasting fresh brewed lemon grass and hibiscus tea, a great time was had by all!



The S3 campers and educators would like to thank the staff of the Jackson County Wastewater Wetlands for sharing what is...
01/10/2026

The S3 campers and educators would like to thank the staff of the Jackson County Wastewater Wetlands for sharing what is done on this site. Using the lands and nature to filter wastewater to become reusable is an amazing operation!



We are pleased to announce that Dr. Rachel Gisewhite has been selected to serve as Interim Director of the Center for ST...
01/10/2026

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Rachel Gisewhite has been selected to serve as Interim Director of the Center for STEM Education. Gisewhite, a National Academies Gulf Research Program Early Career Fellow, has been involved in marine, environmental, and STEM education research for more than two decades. In her career, she has authored 21 publications, with three currently under review; chaired or served on 25 graduate student dissertation or thesis committees; and served as PI or co-PI on projects with funding in excess of $3.5 million, including her most recent program, S3: Sustainable STEM By-the-Sea. Gisewhite’s scholarship and professional work focus on place-based and justice-oriented STEM education, environmental stewardship, youth activism, and community-driven science—creating transformative learning experiences that cultivate curiosity, scientific literacy, and a strong sense of place.

We simply could not be in better hands!

Center Director Dr. Julie Cwikla, who has been with The University of Southern Mississippi since 2001 and led the Center...
29/09/2026

Center Director Dr. Julie Cwikla, who has been with The University of Southern Mississippi since 2001 and led the Center since 2019, will retire from her post tomorrow, September 30. In her 25 years in higher education, Cwikla has been named an NSF Early Career Fellow and USM T.W. Bennett Distinguished Professor, among many other accolades. While she has earned more than $30 million in funding and ushered dozens of master’s and PhD students towards their degrees, she is perhaps most known for innovative STEM education outreach. From creating programs with national and international impact like STEM Futures: The JROTC Leadership Academy and STEMonDemand to those built for Mississippi kids like STEMonTheGo and GenSea, Cwikla has positioned the Center as a leader in the conversation about how to make science, math, and engineering relevant to future generations.

We wish Dr. Cwikla the best as she moves forward in her role as CEO of STEM in Action, a nonprofit devoted to promoting STEM workforce development around the country.

—Raise your hand if you’re excited that camp has started—or just give us an S3 smile! MSU SWAPS Program msu...
28/09/2026

—Raise your hand if you’re excited that camp has started—or just give us an S3 smile! MSU SWAPS Program msu_swaps

The Center has a new STEMonDemand ambassador! USM Biology PhD student Susan Thomassie is funded by a NASA/Mississippi Sp...
27/09/2026

The Center has a new STEMonDemand ambassador! USM Biology PhD student Susan Thomassie is funded by a NASA/Mississippi Space Grant Consortium Graduate Research Fellowship to bring in-person STEM education experiences to the public. She’s willing to work with school groups in the greater Hattiesburg area during the week and attend weekend tabling events, such as the Science Saturday event last week in Ocean Springs, as her schedule allows. Contact the Center at [email protected] to request a visit!

Find the full list of virtual lessons she can teach at https://stem-ondemand.org

USM Polymer Science PhD candidate Alyssa Shaw spent two days in May sharing STEMonDemand activities at the Simpson Cou...
25/09/2026

USM Polymer Science PhD candidate Alyssa Shaw spent two days in May sharing STEMonDemand activities at the Simpson County Mathematics Tournament. Ms. Shaw created her own STEMonDemand lesson “Ready Set Recycle Relay!” and is funded by a NASA MS Space Grant fellowship to bring in-person experiences to K12 groups during the regular school year. Contact the Center at [email protected] to request a visit!

You can find the full list of virtual lessons at https://stem-ondemand.org

Center PhD student Billie Jean Brashiers and former Center GA, Ocean Science and Engineering PhD candidate Rachel Lancas...
23/09/2026

Center PhD student Billie Jean Brashiers and former Center GA, Ocean Science and Engineering PhD candidate Rachel Lancaster joined other USM STEMonTheGo scientists like Dr. Matt Donahue and members of the American Chemistry Society at the Walter Anderson Museum’s Science Saturday event in Ocean Springs Saturday. Walter Anderson Museum of Art

Calling all high school- and college-aged students seeking a fun way to earn volunteer hours! We have two-hour, one-day,...
20/09/2026

Calling all high school- and college-aged students seeking a fun way to earn volunteer hours! We have two-hour, one-day, and full-week timeslots available to work at our Sept 28-Oct 2 camp in Biloxi. Bonus points if you have experience working with kids! Sign up at https://stembythesea.org/s3-volunteer-signup.

Address

MS

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+16012664739

Website

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