Mayor Brent Warr, joined Cities United for Science Progress (CUSP), a partnership between The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and DuPont, at Bayou View Elementary School on May 4^th for a Science in the School Day.

Mayor Warr emphasized the importance of science education in the lives of Gulfport’s schoolchildren. The Mayor was joined by Biloxi resident and masters in both civil and environmental engineering from Mississippi State University, Area manager for Large projects, Matt Renick. The Mayor and Renick worked side-by-side with third and fourth graders at Bayou View Elementary throughout the morning on the “puff-mobile” experiment.

With more than 65 fourth grade students participating.  Renick jumpstarted the program with a fun hands-on project exploring basic engineering principles. During the experiment, students applied the techniques learned from Renick to conduct a science experiment called the “puff mobile.”  Mayor Warr led the students as they built “puff mobiles” using everyday materials including drinking straws, lifesavers, paper, scotch-tape and paperclips. The program concluded with the Mayor and invited guests challenging the students to a race with the student-made “puff-mobiles.”

“The City of Gulfport would like to thank DuPont and the U.S. Conference of Mayors for bringing the Science in the School Day to the children here at Bayou View Elementary School. It is amazing to see these children who have been through so many obstacles over the past few months take a moment from their day to just be kids and learn from a DuPont engineer how much fun science can be,” said Mayor Warr. “This experiment hopefully has given them the confidence to take on a difficult subject matter and hopefully explore a career in math and science,” he concluded.

“DuPont DeLisle is excited to be a part of such a worthwhile program,” said Pat Nichols, plant manager of DuPont DeLisle Operations.  “Anything we can do to help get kids excited about math and science benefits everyone.  This program introduces area children to math and science, exposing them to excellent career opportunities while at the same time ensuring that we have future engineers and scientists to keep our country viable in the ever-competitive global market.”

“We are excited to have a partnership that benefits children who are the future of our cities,” said Tom Cochran, executive director of The U.S. Conference of Mayors. “CUSP serves as a useful tool for teachers, students and children across the country and helps revive a much-needed interest in science.”

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.  Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

CUSP is a partnership between The U.S. Conference of Mayors and DuPont.  Through the $3 million Lead-Safe…for Kids’ Sake grant program and the acclaimed Science in the School Day initiative, over 30 cities have received grants, more than 54 cities have been visited and close to 14,000 elementary school children have participated in the USCM-DuPont partnership. CUSP provides assistance to mayors in promoting and inspiring student’s interest in science and engineering.