Fifteen Starkville High School seniors have gathered around a large conference room table at Griffis Hall on the campus of Mississippi State University to discuss the most influential scientists of the 20th century on Tuesday and Thursday mornings of the fall semester.
Their conversations connect science research from 1901-2000 to their areas of interest today.
The students represent the first class to complete six hours of honors college credit through the Early Honors Academy, a new semester-long program offered through a partnership with MSU’s Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College and the Starkville Oktibbeha School District.
“I’m incredibly proud of our students who have embraced this opportunity to stretch their minds and further their pursuit of knowledge during their senior year of high school,” said Superintendent Eddie Peasant who recently spent a morning with the students during their class.
Early Honors is part of the Academic Houses at Starkville High School, and it is designed to challenge advanced learners during their senior year of high school.
The students were invited to apply based on their academic résumé, interviewed by SHS personnel and selected based on the strength of their composite credentials, using a rubric created through a collaboration between the Shackouls Honors College and SOCSD.
The program offers two seminar courses taught by MSU Honors Faculty Fellow and Assistant Professor of English Eric Vivier and MSU Assistant Clinical Professor of Honors Education Angela Farmer. The courses focus on intense learning experiences and include research opportunities, critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration.
The District and University are already exploring the possibility of adding a third course option that would be offered during the 2020-21 school year.
Learn more about the Academic Houses at Starkville High School at www.starkvillesd.com/academichouses.
Learn more about the Shackouls Honors College at www.honors.msstate.edu.
