Thames-Rawlins Research Group Outreach

The Thames-Rawlins Research Group (TRRG) promotes polymer science through various activities with schools.  Students from the Mississippi School of Mathematics and Science (MSMS) are given a taste of laboratory research by offering them opportunities to work with our researchers for several weeks in the summer.  TRRG students and researchers enjoy interacting with elementary and middle schools such as the Jones County School in Laurel, Mississippi where they conduct show-and-tell science experiments.  These presentations offer students the fun side of science while introducing them to various aspects of science in our daily lives.  Students from Petal High School, Petal, Mississippi, regularly visit our laboratories as part of a “shadowing” program.  They are assigned to a researcher and exposed to and participate in the daily rigors and opportunities of research.  Our undergraduate and graduate students enjoy high school and community college recruiting and serving as judges for science fairs.  The National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experience for Teachers (RET) programs are additional summer research opportunities afforded undergraduates from all across America and Mississippi science teachers.

TRRG supports the coatings industry via their expertise in innovation, characterization, testing, formulation, long- or short-term contracts, problem solving, research and development activities, and reducing technology to practice.  We maintain an impressive array of instrumentation which includes but is not limited to GC, LCMS, GPC, HPLC, FTIR, ReactIR, ESEM, X-ray, NMR, and much more (refer to Equipment Tab for a complete listing).  Coating formulation and evaluation services are available as are long- and short-term weathering testing.

Polymer Science Association

The Polymer Science Association (PSA) is an undergraduate service association devoted to supporting polymer science undergraduates in their academic endeavors. It also serves as an outreach program to science-minded high school students in Mississippi and helps raise awareness for polymer science and the USM School of Polymers and High Performace Materials in our community. The PSA's activities involve recruiting, conducting science experiments and demonstrations, providing tours, and organizing school events.  The PSA is advised by Dr. James Rawlins. They invite experts to lecture on various topics of interest to the group, including resume and portfolio building, career opportunities in industry and academia, and summer internships.

2011 - 2012 PSA Officers

President - Lauren Labeaud
Vice President - Chuck Jamison
Secretary - Katie Davis
Treasurer - Greg Miller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

science

Polymer Science High School Competition set for January 28, 2012 at Southern Miss

High school students from across the state will converge on The University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg campus Friday, Jan. 28 to participate in the second annual Polymer Science High School Competition. It will be held in the Polymer Science Research Center from 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., concluding with an awards ceremony.

Hosted by the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, the competition is designed to encourage interest in science, including academic and career opportunities, among high school students. It will include a written examination and a quiz bowl giving students a chance to test their knowledge about polymer science.

Other scheduled activities will include demonstrations of experiments using polymer materials, problem solving activities and tours of the university’s internationally renowned polymer science research facilities. During their visit, these high school students will have the opportunity to interact with polymer science faculty and students.

Mississippi is the only state with high school polymer science programs. The Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI), located at Southern Miss, plays a key role in the establishment of these programs.  

For more information about the Polymer Science High School Competition, contact Kim Luck at 601.266.5618 or e-mail kimberly.luck@usm.edu. For information about Southern Miss’ programs in polymer science, online visit www.usm.edu/polymer

http://www.usm.edu/news/article/polymer-science-high-school-competition-set-jan-28-southern-miss

Article | Thu, 01/06/2011 - 9:16am | By David Tisdale

Area High Schools Participate in Bayer Materials Science Visit

Whether in the production of golf balls, reading glasses or baby diapers, students from two area high schools saw firsthand the far-reaching impact polymers have on their world Tuesday during The University of Southern Mississippi’ s  Bayer Materials Science High School Program.

Joined by their teachers, the approximately 100 students from Hattiesburg High School and Forrest County Agricultural High School (FCAHS) toured the university’s science research facilities, learned about polymers, participated in hands-on demonstrations and engaged in laboratory activities with Southern Miss faculty and graduate students through the program.

Graduate students in polymer science and biology at the university have been working with these students through a five-year, $2.5 million National Science Foundation (NSF) GK-12 grant. The grant supports an outreach initiative in which the graduate students bring their expertise into high school science classrooms, spending 10 hours a week sharing their research through demonstrations, lab activities and projects.

The high school students also met with internationally renowned polymer scientist Dr. Craig Hawker, director of the Materials Research Laboratory and professor at the University of California-Santa Barbara, who discussed his research and career possibilities for them in science and engineering. Hawker was on campus to present for the university’s Bayer Lectureship Series

“This kind of experience really helps our students realize what different career opportunities are available to them with a college degree in science, careers they might not have considered otherwise,” said FCAHS teacher Thelma Ratliff. “It’s also been great to have these graduate students come to our classroom each week. They’re a valuable learning resource."

Read more............

hattiesburg students

Hattiesburg High School students Brenay Weems, left, and Kimberly Marshall participate in a polymer science experiment producing a slime-textured material that can have multiple applications in industrial and medical products. (University Communications photo by Steve Rouse)

Article | Wed, 10/20/2010 - 2:09pm | By David Tisdale
http://www.usm.edu/news/article/area-high-school-students-participate-bayer-materials-science-visit

 

Jones County School System
March 2008, Becky Stewart of Star Reach Jones County Gifted Studies School in Laurel, Mississippi, invited TRRG to present science demonstrations to the 6th graders.  Bret Calhoun, School of Polymers and High Performance Materials Assistant Administrative Director, and Kevin Davis, Brandon Achord, Pirro Cipi, Charlie White, and Yvette Abadie of TRRG captivated the youngsters with foaming urethanes, shrinking polymers, freezing materials, and more.

Jones County School System: Bret Calhoun demonstrates polyurethane foams to a group of Jones County Star Reach students.

Jones County School System: Pirro Cipi demonstrates blow molding and polymer morphology by shrinking PET bottles with hot water. 

 
 
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Thames-Rawlins Research Group    |    118 College Drive #5217 Hattiesburg, MS 39406    |    Phone: 601.266.5618    |    Fax: 601.266.5880
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