In order to raise recognition of the impacts that energy consumption has on daily life and the environment, the Mississippi Development Authority’s Energy & Natural Resources Division hosted a traveling science carnival on Energy Awareness Day.

A group of MSMS students took this opportunity on Thursday, Oct. 5, to instruct hundreds of students and teachers from all corners of the state in topics relating to energy efficiency and environmental conservation and protection. The young scientists displayed countless exhibits and presented engaging workshops at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum in Jackson.

Christina Comino, senior presenter, explains that the various stations in the outdoor classroom allowed the elementary and middle school students to gain a deeper understanding of subjects not usually covered in their school curriculum.

“MSMS had presentations on mechanical energy, electricity, circuits and endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions. The entire carnival was about energy and the renewable and nonrenewable resources for energy. I think that the science carnival was really a good thing for the Jackson school kids because it gave them a presentation on all of this information that sometimes don’t get covered in a second or third grade science class, most of our students were from second or third grade. I think it really got them interested in science and its applications,” Comino described.

It is important to instill the significance of science in individual minds from a young age. MSMS students not only served as greeters, guides, and presenters at the event, they also directed the “Fun Tent,” an interactive booth topped with energy-related activities and rewards.

Junior Devin Chen took on the role of physics demonstrator and external guide at the carnival.

“What I enjoyed the most was seeing the look of inspiration, interest, and a genuine thirst for knowledge in the young kids that really made the whole experience for me that much more satisfying. By investing in these kids and getting that kind of feedback is priceless and absolutely worth the time and effort invested because you could have been the catalyst for one child’s future success as a scientist. I think by doing this for the Jackson community, we have helped enrich the educational journeys of each individual by helping them to see applications of these principles and that learning can be fun and scintillating. Investing in the young people is what matters because they are our future,” Chen stated.

The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science annually hosts a science carnival for young students in the surrounding areas of Lowndes County. Partnered with the Mississippi Development Authority, this event allowed MSMS presenters a chance to pilot the teaching materials to see how they can be communicated in an effective manner to children of lower age groups.

Senior Kennedy LaPorte reveals that she enjoyed witnessing the creative light bulbs ignite in the eyes of her young audience as new concepts and ideas were demonstrated at the stations.

“I think it gave the kids a more in-depth look at what science is and what kind of things science does because our stations really did teach the kids the science and Chemistry behind all of the experiments we did. All of the kids were really into it, and they were having a good time watching the experiments, so seeing them having fun was my favorite part,” LaPorte said.

MSMS offers numerous community outreach opportunities in order to encourage interest and knowledge in STEM fields in the state. The annual science carnival will take place on Oct. 24 for elementary students from the surrounding areas of Columbus.