The W to host 2026 Regional Science Bowl

Mississippi University for Women will welcome high school students to campus for the annual Regional Science Bowl, Friday, Feb. 20.

Held in Parkinson Hall, the event will see 135 students, representing 16 high schools across Mississippi all vying for a trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in the National Science Bowl® competition, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

“The W is honored to host the 2026 Mississippi Science Bowl,” said Dr. Brian Burnes, professor of biology education at The W. “This is an exciting, suspenseful competition that challenges 9th-12th grade students’ knowledge of science and mathematics and provides an opportunity for students to be recognized and rewarded for their academics.”

While only the top team will advance to the national competition, all participants will leave with something.

All students will receive a T-shirt. The winners will receive a trophy, and their names will be added to the perpetual trophy in Parkinson Hall. The winning team will also receive an all-expenses paid trip to D.C. for the finals in April.

The following schools will be represented: Bogue Chitto School, Corinth High School, Forest High School, Hartfield Academy, Madison Central High School, McLaurin Attendance Center, The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, New Hope High School, Northwest Rankin High School, Ocean Springs High School, Olive Branch High School, Oxford High School, Pontotoc High School, Riverside High School, Tupelo High School and Yazoo City High School.

Media representatives are invited to attend, although the event is not open to the general public due to space limitations.

To learn more about the Science Bowl, please visit www.muw.edu/scimath/activities/sciencebowl/.