Show-Me State Times

When Missouri high school students gathered at the University of Missouri, they were treated to a unique lecture on the chemistry of NASCAR. This event was part of the Missouri Scholars Academy (MSA), where students learned about chemical reactions in racecar engines and fire-retardant suits.

The highlight of the session was a visit from Carl Edwards, a Hall of Fame NASCAR driver and Columbia native who attended Mizzou. Edwards spoke to the students about ambition and driving through life with determination.

For 40 years, MSA has brought together around 330 academically gifted rising high school juniors each summer for three weeks at the Mizzou Honors College. The program offers a rigorous curriculum that includes Shakespeare, math modeling, music, programming, and engineering.

MSA fosters an intellectually vibrant community where curiosity is encouraged. Steve Keller, an associate professor in the College of Arts and Science and co-director of MSA, said, “In addition to what the scholars learn, the sense of community they build with their peers is often a highlight of the experience.”

Students explore Mizzou’s research facilities like the University of Missouri Research Reactor and Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building. They meet notable figures such as Linda Godwin, a NASA astronaut and former Mizzou professor.

Doug Valentine, an assistant teaching professor in the College of Arts and Science and co-director of MSA, explained that daily activities are revealed only the night before: “Uncertainty is part of life,” he said. “We give the scholars opportunities to make spontaneous decisions to explore who they are.”

MSA also involves creative projects like floral design at Tiger Garden and community service projects such as removing invasive plants at local parks. These experiences help develop leadership skills.

“What scholars remember most is meeting a group of remarkable leaders at Mizzou they otherwise never would have met,” Keller said. He added that scholars are asked questions about themselves that no one had ever asked before.

Since its inception in 1985, MSA alumni have achieved significant accomplishments across various fields. Some have returned to mentor new generations at Mizzou.

Hunter Bailey, a former scholar who graduated from Mizzou in May and now serves as a resident assistant for MSA, stated: “Inspiring the scholars to be proud of their curiosity and ambition is very rewarding.”