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The W Science Camp 2026

Join us for an exciting and educational adventure at Parkinson Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus July 13-16, 2026, 8 a.m. to noon each day. Open to children aged 9-14. This Science Camp is offered free of charge thanks to MUW support and generous donors. Space is limited to 20 eager young minds, so don't miss out! Register by May 30, 2026. Last year filled up quickly before the deadline, so don’t delay!

Simple snacks will be provided (fruit, vegetables, cookies, juice) but feel free to send your child with a lunch that fits their dietary needs, if you prefer. Water fountains are also available on-site at Parkinson Hall.

Our program will focus on science and mathematics, covering several different fields of study!

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Dates:  July 13-16, 2026

Time: 8 a.m. to Noon

Where: Parkinson Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus
( Map)

Food: : Please bring your own food and snacks appropriate to your child's dietary needs. We will have a snack break and a lunch break. We will have a few snacks (fruit, vegetables, cookies, juice) to share but please keep in mind that they may not fit all dietary requirements for all students. There are also water fountains at the Parkinson Hall.

Cost: Free, thanks to MUW and donor support!

Who can come?  We are focused on middle school kids (5th-8th graders, 9-14 year olds). Younger and older participants may be considered if space allows.

How many can come? Camp will be full at 20 campers. Last year the course filled up quickly with people on a waitlist, so sign up quickly to reserve your spot!

Activities from previous years have included:

vector image of a microscopeDr. Davida Crossley, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, led an activity investigating how life exists in water and soil, which would be analogous to how future scientists could find life on another planet. Students collected soil samples from around Plymouth Bluff to investigate what bacteria and fungi were present.

Dr. Bonnie Oppenheimer, Professor of Mathematics and the Chair of the Department of Sciences and Mathematics, led a discussion about why we count in base ten and how to count if we meet aliens with a different number of fingers that use a different base system.

Activities about the physics and engineering of space travel were led by Dr. Travis Hagey, Assistant Professor of Biology. Student built jet powered paper airplanes using straws and measured flight distances. Students also investigated deceleration and material properties, designing protective enclosures from cardboard, foam, and pipe cleaners, to hold a raw chicken egg. These enclosures were dropped from different heights to evaluate how well their designs protected their fragile cargo.

vector image of an astronaut helmetAs part of our planetary science and geology day, students made their own fossil impressions using plaster of Paris, led by Dr. Michael Dodson, Assistant Professor of Biology. Students also observed locally collected marine fossils. Plymouth Bluff has easily accessible fossil beds containing a rich supply of marine bivalve fossils.

The deadline to apply is May 30.

QUESTIONS? Ask Dr. Travis Hagey at thagey@muw.edu or (662) 329-7376.

Funded by Mississippi University for Women