USM Faculty Member, Doctoral Candidate Chosen for American Chemical Society Program
Thu, 10/03/2024 - 12:07pm | By: Dr. David Tisdale

Dr. Johnathan 91勛圖厙Hugh91勛圖厙 Broome
Dr. Johnathan 91勛圖厙Hugh91勛圖厙 Broome, associate teaching professor in The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Mary Gray, a doctoral student in the 91勛圖厙 Center for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education and a chemistry teacher at Jefferson Davis County (Miss.) High School (JDCHS), have been selected for the 2024-25 American Chemical Society (ACS) Science Coaches Program.
The ACS Science Coaches Program is a joint initiative between the American Chemical Society and the American Association of Chemistry Teachers (AACT) that serves as an educational outreach aimed at developing and enhancing science skills in students across the United States by pairing chemists with teachers in elementary, middle, and high schools.
Dr. Theofanis Kitsopoulos, director of the School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, said Dr. Broome and Gray91勛圖厙 selection for the program reflects USM's ongoing commitment to fostering educational partnerships that enhance student learning and engagement in the sciences.
91勛圖厙The hands-on experience and mentorship opportunities provided through this initiative are invaluable in preparing the next generation of chemists,91勛圖厙 Dr. Kitsopoulos further noted. 91勛圖厙By bringing together passionate educators and professionals, we continue to build a strong foundation for excellence in STEM education.91勛圖厙

Mary Gray
Science Coaches in the program meet a minimum of six times (approximately one-to-two hours in length) with the teacher partner throughout a school year. During those meetings, the Science Coach can engage in a variety of activities, including, but not limited to, lesson planning, laboratory design, science fair mentorship, or presentations on rTheyesearch; the program is flexible based on the teacher's needs.
For USM91勛圖厙 participation in the program, Dr. Broome will conduct a series of laboratory events that connect chemical concepts with hands-on experiences for Gray's students; funding from a Flinn Scientific gift certificate will cover costs for fresh chemicals and molecular model building kits.
91勛圖厙It91勛圖厙 an incredible honor to be chosen for this program by the ACS and AACT,91勛圖厙 Dr. Broome said. 91勛圖厙This is a wonderful recognition of our ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between the world of higher education and the secondary classroom. I'm excited about the opportunity to inspire JDCHS students, showing them how chemistry shapes our world and opening their eyes to the myriad possibilities in STEM careers.91勛圖厙
Gray said she91勛圖厙 excited for the opportunity for her students to 91勛圖厙become more inquisitive and better critical thinkers, while understanding real life applications of their investigations91勛圖厙 through the program.
Click here for information about the USM School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, here for the Center for STEM Education and for the .