Contact: Maridith Geuder
Ashlie Jones (l) of Rosedale and Le'Andria Richardson of Beulah, both students at West Bolivar Middle School, are among more than 20 Delta students and their teachers taking part in STRIDE.
Wearing lab coats and protective goggles, a group of sixth-to-ninth graders in a Mississippi State summer program are taking their first steps into the world of science and its impact on everyday lives.
Under the direction of university professors and research scientists, the 22 students from Bolivar, Leflore and Sunflower counties are handling test tubes like laboratory pros. They and eight of their teachers are learning research methodology and its applications to the Central Delta region where they live.
The Student-Teacher Research Institute-Delta Experience is funded by the National Science Foundation, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Management Systems Evaluation Areas Project. STRIDE involves students with MSEA's mission of improving water quality throughout the Mississippi River Delta.
Now in its second year, the four-week institute provides highly motivated students with a series of scientific field experiences, as well as a weeklong immersion in research techniques at MSU and other state research centers.
"With the aid of scientists and a number of participating agencies from around the state, we have the students do actual field work in areas ranging from computer modeling and global positioning technology to soil science and chemistry," said Sandra Harpole.
Harpole, physics professor and head of the MSU Center for Science, Math and Technology, is project co-director. Also leading the effort are physics assistant professor Taha Mzoughi; Jonathan Pote, associate vice president for research and Water Resources Research Institute director; Forest Products Laboratory research scientist Lynn Prewitt; and biological sciences assistant professor Giselle Thibaudeau.
Joining the Mississippi State team are professionals with the Delta Council, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service and Animal Damage Control offices, Mississippi Department of Environmental Control, Mississippi Soil and Water Joint Water Management District, Yazoo Mississippi Delta Joint Water Management District, and the University of Mississippi.
During one exercise, forest products researcher Lynn Prewitt uses grape Kool-Aid to teach chromatography--the process of separating a mixture's constituent elements. By reducing the popular drink to its food coloring, flavoring and sugar components, she illustrates how the technique regularly is employed to analyze pesticide levels in water.
While at Mississippi State, STRIDERs also are introduced to research areas in engineering, physics, veterinary medicine, and entomology, among others.
"My students love this program," said Helen Beamon, Moorhead Middle School science teacher and a two-year STRIDE participant. "They learn research, computing and communication skills.
"Many that participated last year went on to earn top prizes in science fair competition," she added. "They all want to study science now."
Encouraging students to consider research careers is one of the programs main goals, said Thibaudeau.
"Through STRIDE, students learn about lab techniques and opportunities for research-based careers," Thibaudeau said. "They're encouraged to go back to their schools and share their experiences with other students.
"Their work also gives them increased opportunities to value the Delta and its resources," she added.