Contact: Robbie Ward
STARKVILLE, Miss.--For students from 10 Northeast Mississippi schools, Sir Isaac Newton's three laws of motion will come to life Friday [April 4] at Mississippi State.
Members of fifth- through ninth-grade classes from the Columbus, Oktibbeha County, Starkville, and Tupelo school systems also will learn about how science relates to their lives during the "FMA Live!" tour.
A national touring stage show, "Live!" is coordinated through NASA and Honeywell International, a diversified technology and manufacturing company. MSU's Office of Research and Economic Development is the campus sponsor.
Three shows are scheduled at Humphrey Coliseum, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 1:45 p.m. Some 400-600 students are expected for each performance.
With an increased national focus on the study of mathematics, science and technology in high school and college, educational leaders have been stressing the importance of making the topics both interesting and relevant to young students. Most also agree this emphasis must begin in the early grades if they are to be steered toward potential high-technology fields of study.
"This is something fun and also will show students how much fun and interesting everyday science can be," said Sandra Harpole, MSU associate vice president for research. "Each time we can get students interested in science and technology, we make solid investments in our future."
Harpole, a former national award-winning high school physics teacher, has been doing her part over the years as director of the university's Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology.
For more information, contact Harpole at 662-325-3570 or sharpole@research.msstate.edu. Details about the show are available at www.fmalive.com.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.