91传媒 research center helps introduce eighth-graders to research
Contact: Carol Gifford
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擬ore than 3,300 eighth-grade students from seven Northeast Mississippi counties are back in class after having an opportunity to get the latest information on potential career pathways.
Accompanied by 1,000 teachers, they were participants in 鈥淚magine the Possibilities,鈥 a recent two-day exposition at Tupelo鈥檚 Bancorp South Center sponsored by Three Rivers Planning and Development District.
If based solely on the students鈥 reactions, the highly organized introduction to career opportunities clearly was a success, said Bill Renick, planning district director. 鈥淵ou could see the students鈥 excitement as they visited the displays,鈥 he said.
Among the presentations was a display of the National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center at 91传媒. A participant in the expo鈥檚 government and public administration category, the NSPARC program featured examples of its nationally recognized work with smart data, analytical techniques and advanced technologies.
鈥淭hese students鈥 future will include advanced technology,鈥 Renick said. 鈥淣SPARC鈥檚 exhibit explained how computers and technology are a combination that is likely to be part of their future jobs.鈥
Domenico 鈥淢immo鈥 Parisi, the center鈥檚 executive director, said his organization focuses on 鈥渞esearch in general and specifically how NSPARC鈥檚 research includes the use of data to help state officials and agencies make better decisions.
鈥淭he use of data has become a big factor in the way government agencies function and operate,鈥 Parisi added.
One popular display activity was an online game that introduced the students to coding skills used by software developers. After the game ended, players compared their times and moves to those of a software developer.
Students at the NSPARC display also had an opportunity to describe their expo activities in a 鈥渞eport鈥 forwarded to Gov. Phil Bryant in a style similar to how professional research is summarized.
Parisi said the center conducts ongoing research for state agencies and includes evaluations of how well various public programs are working. NSPARC staff members also design computer applications that aid the work of policymakers, develop information systems for state agencies and create a variety of web and mobile apps.
Mississippi Works, a free app to help job seekers apply for listed employment vacancies, is an example.
鈥淲hat is so interesting about NSPARC is the combination of data and analysis in its research,鈥 Renick said.
Parisi said, 鈥淓ducating students is what we do; we want them to understand what NSPARC鈥檚 research contributes to policymakers and others.鈥
For more about NSPARC, visit . Parisi may be reached at 662-325-9242.
91传媒 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading institution, available online at .
听