Using Research As A Tool For Student Recruiting

The Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering, in conjunction with the Mississippi Science and Mathematics School, in Columbus, MS (approximately 25 miles from the Mississippi State campus) has joined in a program for providing research experiences for junior and senior high school students. Three students participated in the program in the fall 2005 semester. The goals of the program include recruiting high school students to consider programs of study in chemical engineering or related fields at Mississippi State and to increase students’ technological literacy by participating in active research projects. Of the three participants for fall 2005, one has declared his intention of studying chemical engineering at Mississippi State. The authors felt that the program objectives were met for helping students to become more familiar with our program and curriculum and for helping high school students to learn about conducting research with “real-world” applications. Future offerings of the program will be modified to optimize student schedules and increase the efficiency of their time on the Mississippi State campus.