The Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian hosted its first-ever CS Wonder Coding Competition in early March, sparking excitement and innovation in the hearts and minds of young learners.

MCM’s first CS Wonder Coding Competition brought together 10 teams in Jackson and six teams in Meridian, representing a total of 15 schools from across the state. In Jackson, approximately 50 students and teachers participated in the competition, while Meridian showcased talents from 31 participants.

At MCM-Meridian, Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School from Starkville clinched first place and a Spirit award for their collaborative efforts. Newton County Elementary secured second place, and Southeast Lauderdale claimed third place, demonstrating the diverse coding talents across the region.

Teams were tasked with designing robots to successfully complete three tasks, requiring students to collaborate and employ creative problem-solving strategies. The competition not only showcased the technical skills of the participants, but also highlighted their ability to work as a team and think critically under pressure.

CS Wonder partnered with Mississippi State University’s Department of Cyber Education and Central Creativity for the competition, offering mentorship and leveraging their expertise on the judging panel. The program is made possible thanks to a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

“We are thrilled by the success of the inaugural CS Wonder Coding Competition. It’s inspiring to witness the enthusiasm and talent of these young minds as they embrace the world of coding and robotics,” said Susan Garrard, MCM President/CEO.

CS Wonder recruited educators from diverse school districts across Mississippi to participate in comprehensive training courses in coding, robotics, and digital literacy. During both digital and in-person training, educators received original instruction, and upon completion, they returned to their respective schools as conduits of The LIFT’s teaching for their colleagues. This strategic approach, having educators share and lead subsequent classroom training, is central to the program’s philosophy.

Participating school districts that have implemented the comprehensive training taught through CS Wonder provides STEAM education to students who may not ordinarily receive exposure to such high-level instruction in technology.