The Mississippi Science Festival returns this week and is expected to attract amateur and professional scientists from all over the state.
Held from Sept. 18-21 at the LeFleur Museum District, the nationally recognized festival brings the community together to celebrate careers in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) and has introduced children of all ages to a wide variety of related concepts and industries that are available in Mississippi.
Going into its ninth year, the Mississippi Science Festival will include exhibitions and activities at, but not limited to, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, the Mississippi Children’s Museum, the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum, and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Coinciding Mississippi Science Festival events will take place in non-Jackson venues, as well, including the Mississippi Children’s Museum – Meridian and the B.B. King Museum in Indianola.
A full schedule for the 2024 Mississippi Science Festival can be found below.
Mississippi Science Fest Tech Summit (Wednesday, Sept. 18)
A group of keynote speakers have been invited to Jackson State University’s Student Center to discuss topics of tech taking place in the capital city. The summit will feature a press conference at 10 a.m., a keynote address on “Today’s Tinkerers are Tomorrow’s Innovators” by Dr. Calvin Mackie, founder and CEO of STEM NOLA, and panels of note including:
- The Jackson Research Hub
- The Promise of Technology for the Current and Future Workforce
- Navigating the Role of the Legislature in Emerging Technologies
- Artificial Intelligence and the Private Sector
C Spire C3 Jr. Coding Challenge (Thursday, Sept. 19)
Hosted by Mississippi-based C Spire – the largest privately-held wireless company in the U.S. – 24 schools from across the state have been invited to the Mississippi Children’s Museums in Jackson and Meridian to participate in a coding challenge designed specifically for elementary-age students.
Teams comprised of four fourth-grade students will be guided through coding challenges by a C Spire mentor, treated to lunch, and participate in an awards ceremony after the challenge.
Field Trip Friday (Friday, Sept. 20)
All four museums within Jackson’s LeFleur Museum District have invited students to attend a special STEM-themed field trip. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., students will have an opportunity to participate in hands-on experiments, interactive exhibits, and see classroom science lessons come to life. Field trip opportunities are still available, with educators encouraged to contact any of the museums. This portion of the day is dedicated to promoting STEM subjects and increasing science literacy among students.
Pawns N’ Pajamas (Friday, Sept. 20)
Held at the Mississippi Children’s Museum in Jackson from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., children are invited to get comfortable in their favorite pajamas and practice their chess skills against other similar-skilled players. Research shows playing chess improves problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which can directly translate to math, science, and reading scores. Pre-registration for this event is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.
C Spire Gaming Night (Friday, Sept. 20)
Also at the Mississippi Children’s Museum in Jackson from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., C Spire will be providing video games for those who prefer the controller over the chess board. Children can enjoy games such as Mario Kart and Super Mario Brothers in a tournament-style setting.
Mississippi Science Fest (Saturday, Sept. 21)
All four LeFleur Museum District museums will offer children and families the opportunity to interact with nationally renowned STEM professionals, engage in hands-on activities, and explore exciting experiments and exhibits. Visitors can purchase a $10 ticket allowing them to visit and participate in festivities at all four museums from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A free shuttle will be traveling to and from the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, the Mississippi Children’s Museum, the Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum, and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Food vendors will also be on-site.
Science Saturday in Meridian (Saturday, Sept. 21)
From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Mississippi Children’s Museum – Meridian will celebrate STEAM in conjunction with the Mississippi Science Festival in Jackson. The event aims to inspire children and families to explore STEAM concepts and uncover related careers kids can strive for. Local STEAM leaders will be on hand to participate in educational, hands-on activities throughout the day.
Science Saturday in Indianola (Saturday, Sept. 21)
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the B.B. King Museum in Indianola will help children explore the world of honeybees, learn about the movement of water, and engage in the science of health and nutrition, along with other activities and exhibits. The museum will be open until 5 p.m. for those who want to further explore the history of Mississippi music and one of its greatest artists, King himself.
Learn more about the Mississippi Science Fest here.
