Outreach and Experience opportunities at the School of Polymer Science and Engineering The University of Southern Mississippi
The Research Experience for Undergraduates is a ten-week summer program targeted at undergraduate students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year. It is designed for students interested in the research of polymer science for a sustainable future.
Applications are now open for the 2026 REU Program.
Program Dates May 26th - July 31st, 2025.
If you are interested in finding out more information, please visit the REU website below or contact hannele.heusser@usm.edu.
Research Experience for Teachers is a six week summer research program for high school and junior college science teachers, looking to experience polymer science laboratory research.
RET at the School of Polymer Science and Engineering offers many programs geared toward helping teachers incorporate polymer science in their classroom. During the workshop teachers will receive training in laboratory research, laboratory safety, team work, communication styles, and developing research-based
activities for their classroom. Selected teachers will receive a $11000 stipend for completing all project components of the workshop (listed in the application). They’ll also receive funding for classroom supplies and related conference travel.
Applications open on November 14th, 2025, and close on March 31st, 2026.
If you are interested in finding out more information, please visit the RET website or contact hannele.heusser@usm.edu.
Mississippi is the only state with high school polymer science programs. The Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI), located at Southern Miss, and the School of Polymer Science and Engineering play a key roles in the establishment and maintenance of these programs.
Mississippi high schools with these program gather annually on the Southern Miss campus to test their knowledge of polymer science and observe polymer science in action.
WiSE is a student-run mentoring and networking group focused on recruiting, sustaining, and advancing women students in science, technology, engineering, and math. During each semester, WiSE hosts talks with various women in science from various backgrounds. It provides a time for students to talk with these presenters about their experience in their discipline and career path. WiSE has also hosted career services in the past, with workshops aimed at helping women in science grow their professional skills, from resume writing to interview preparation. Other efforts have included outreach to local schools and Girl Scout troops, Science Fair support, and fundraising activities.
President: Carmen Dunn
Website: wiseusm.wixsite.com/wise
Organizational Email: wise@usm.edu
The School of Polymer Science and Engineering is excited to offer a week-long workshop during the summer of 2026 for middle school science teachers (5th – 8th grades). Five middle school teachers will be selected to participate in the workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation: EPSCoR Center for Emergent Molecular Optoelectronics (CEMOs) grant. During the workshop, teachers will receive training in lesson development, laboratory safety, team work and communication styles. Teachers will also spend time in USM Polymer Science and Engineering laboratories, observing research and developing research-based activities for their classroom. Selected teachers will receive a $1500 stipend for completing all project components of the workshop (listed in the application).
Applications are open November 14th, 2025 - March 31st, 2026.
If you are interested in finding out more information, please visit the Middle School Teacher Workshop website or contact hannele.heusser@usm.edu.
Is your class eager to know more about polymer science and engineering? Why not bring them to the School of Polymer Science and Engineering for a morning of fun-filled science demonstrations and an insight into life as an undergraduate in our department? Field trips can be catered to middle and high schoolers, typically between 9 - 11:30 a.m.
For more information, reach out to:
Windfield Swetman | SPSE Field Trip Coordinator
601.266.4868 | W.Swetman@usm.edu
The Polymer Science Association (PSA) is an undergraduate service association devoted to supporting polymer science and polymer science and engineering 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 engineering and the USM School of Polymer Science and Engineering 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. Heather Broadhead. The club invites 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.
If you are interested in joining PSA, please contact Heather Broadhead
For more information on how you can get involved, please contact
Melanie Bryan: 601.266.6629