Photo of Mars surface

Living on Mars

Dates: July 12 – 16, 2021

Grades: Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grades 

Cost: $350 Commuter Only 

Registrations Due: June 1, 2021

Sponsors: UM Office of Pre-College Programs, UM School of Engineering

RegisterAgreementMedical FormCovid Compliance

During this week-long program you will learn many different STEM concepts. We will look at 3-D printing with concrete, to build structures on Mars. We will learn what it takes to get a rocket to space and how to properly land a rocket. We will look at water quality, so that we can drink clean water. We will look at how we will need to grow our food to have a balanced diet. We will learn what it takes to be an astronaut as we look at astronaut physicals.

All in-person programs will comply with University of Mississippi COVID-19 protocols.

Photo of Tiffany Gray

Tiffany Gray

Tiffany Gray started working at The National Center for Physical Acoustics (NCPA) as soon as she graduated from college in 2006. She decided she wanted to be able to play with all of the fun toys that were in the labs, so she worked there while going back to school and got her B.A. in Mathematics in 2012. This gave her the all-important STEM background and allowed her to do actual lab work and help out with field work.

In June of 2012 Tiffany and her boss, Dr. James Chambers, teamed up with The Center for Mathematics and Science Education to start a half-day engineering camp. This camp was so successful that it moved to a full day and they started working with Pre-College Programs. Tiffany now runs multiple weeks of STEM camps and workshops. During the academic year, Tiffany works with Pre-College Programs to help run their STEM-related academic competitions.

Registration for a camp or program is a two-part process – the online registration form and additional documentation. Both parts must be submitted to our office before a student is confirmed for enrollment in the program.

Register Online

  • Step 1: Use the link above to go to the online registration portal.
  • Step 2: Select the appropriate options and click “Add Event to Cart.”
  • Step 3: Review your Cart Information and click “Checkout.”
    • Enter your email address and click “Continue Unregistered.”
    • Select the appropriate payment method and follow the prompts to complete the payment transaction. If you have a discount/scholarship code, you can enter it on the right side of the page and click “Apply.”
  • Step 4: Enter the Student’s Information, Parent/Guardian, Emergency Contact, and additional information. Click “Submit.” You will receive an emailed receipt and confirmation of registration. Please retain a copy of this receipt for your reference and tax purposes.

Submit Medical Form
The Office of Pre-College Programs requires all participating students to have medical paperwork and emergency contact information on file if a student is registered for an in-person program. This information is used in the event an accident or emergency occurs involving a student participant.

  • Step 1: Complete our Medical Form.
  • Step 2: The following documentation must also be sent to the Office of Pre-College Programs: Outreach and Continuing Education, Office of Pre-College Programs, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848. 
    • Copy of Insurance Card (front and back sides) or Waiver of Insurance Form (included in Medical Form)
    • Copy of a Parent/Guardian’s Driver's License (front and back sides)  

For security of the student and parent’s information, our office does not recommend emailing or faxing medical documents.

Submit COVID Compliance Form
In accordance with University of Mississippi guidelines and policy regarding COVID-19 health and safety for on-campus summer programs, all residential, commuter, or day camp students are required to have a custodial parent/legal guardian review and complete the online COVID-19 Compliance, Liability Waiver, and Assumption of the Risk Addendum Form with the appropriate student and parent information.

Submit Agreement
The Office of Pre-College Programs has set guidelines and rules in place for the safety of the students participating in our camps and programs. Please review and complete the online Agreement Form with the appropriate student and parent information.

We know you share our concern for the safety of our children and staff. Please review the following protocols to make sure you understand how we will be caring for everyone this summer. These may be revised as the university updates health guidelines in our changing conditions.

Pick-up and Drop-off

  • We will conduct a symptom check at drop-off daily. Any child with symptoms will be sent home.
  • No parents will be permitted inside the buildings for pick-up/drop-off. Children may be picked up and dropped off outside in the designated area.

During the Day

  • Masks and social distancing will be required indoors. When outdoors, masks will be required if 6 feet of distance is not possible to maintain.
  • Children cannot be transported in closed vehicles.
  • Children and staff will practice good hygiene including regular handwashing before and after meals.

In the Case of Illness

  • A child with symptoms that manifest during camp will be isolated with supervision. We expect family to pick up their child as soon as possible.
  • If a camp experiences an outbreak, the program will close for the week. Rooms will be sanitized.
  • Camps will follow university, MS Department of Health, and American Camp Association guidelines in determining when it is appropriate to shut down.
  • Refunds will be made for camps that shut down early. These refunds will be proportional to days missed and adjusted for scholarship amounts.

For additional information, please contact:

  • Address: Outreach and Continuing Education, Office of Pre-College Programs, The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848
  • Phone: (662) 915-7621
  • Fax: (662) 915-1535
  • Email: precollege@olemiss.edu