Oxford Student Wins Stamps Prize to Boost STEM Access

On January 8, 2026, University of Mississippi sophomore Gilad Goulet, a chemical engineering major from Oxford, was selected as one of eight undergraduate recipients of the Stamps Impact Prize. The program awards up to $5,000 to support student-led academic and creative projects that extend learning beyond the classroom. Goulet will use the funding to launch "The Fun of Physics," a series of interactive demonstrations designed to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and math among K–12 Mississippi students. He will work with a faculty mentor to plan and implement the initiative.

The Stamps Impact Prize funds innovative student projects across disciplines and aims to broaden undergraduate experiential learning. Winners receive modest financial backing and mentorship to pilot activities that connect campus expertise to community needs. For Lafayette County, and Oxford in particular, Goulet’s project represents a locally rooted example of how university resources can be directed toward K–12 engagement and early STEM exposure.

Early and accessible STEM experiences have implications that extend beyond classroom curiosity. Increased familiarity with physics and engineering concepts can improve problem-solving skills and health literacy, equipping young people to better understand medical information, technology in health care, and emerging public health challenges. For underserved students, hands-on programs can help reduce barriers to higher education and high-demand careers, contributing over time to a more diverse local workforce in health and science fields.

The award also highlights broader policy and equity questions facing Lafayette County schools. District leaders and community organizations seeking to expand experiential learning may look to campus-community partnerships like this for models that are affordable and scalable. While the Stamps award is relatively small, it can seed repeatable activities, strengthen mentorship ties between university faculty and local teachers, and motivate additional funding from school districts or local foundations.

Goulet’s project will proceed under faculty guidance, with details on timing and school partners to be developed as the initiative moves from planning to outreach. As Lafayette County evaluates ways to support young people’s educational and health outcomes, university-led demonstrations such as "The Fun of Physics" offer a practical step toward creating more equitable access to STEM learning and the long-term benefits that accompany it.