http://youtu.be/eeWMUEBb3b4
Students from around the state gathered at the Las Cruces Convention Center last week for MESA day. MESA stands for mathematics, engineering, and science achievement and students participated in competitions to help them excel in these subjects.
Mesa Day 2015 had three competition categories, programming, brain anatomy and a low-cost prosthetic arm design. Camilla Aitbayev, a senior from Socorro High School told me about the arm her team put together.
“Our first prototype had popsicle sticks, a nylon cord, and elastic hair ties,” Aitbayev said. “Elastic hair ties stretch out, popsicle sticks break, and this cord stretched. And the more tense your cable or cord is the easier it is to life heavy things.”
Students also got a chance to visit with vendors, and learn about different science and math opportunities throughout the state. Bonnie Bissell, and organizer for New Mexico MESA says its gives all of their students a chance to see what’s out there.
“You know we don’t have the resources to go to every site and visit every educational opportunity available here in our state,” Bissell says. “We invite them to come to our MESA day and they set up tables. And a lot of times they will have live animals, they’ll have activities for the kids, they get to know a little bit more about it, and they get to speak to our kids. So, it’s good for both sides of the program the kids and the vendors.”
She says these competitions help kids enjoy STEM education.
“A lot of kids aren’t aware of the possibilities out there and STEM education just opens up a whole level of opportunity,” Bissell said. “You know, they may be gamers, but they may not know how to apply that to a career. We give them opportunities. A lot of time we have our events on college campuses, so they get college visits.”
She says the organization helps them as they continue with their futures.
“It’s kind of a sneaky way to get them to do math and science in a fun way,” Bissell said. “And New Mexico MESA is kind of original. Out of all our MESA states, we’re the only one that offers a scholarship. And our kids at the end of their four years can apply for a loyalty award. And it’s based on their participation and their loyalty to MESA, as well their scholarship, academics and what not.”
Camilla Aitbayev says that participating in MESA days keeps her interested in math and science.
“For me, I’ve gotten a little worn out with math and science,” Aitbayev said. “But what I kind of love more about MESA is working in a small group, and problem solving, and I guess that’s what the heart of engineering and science really is.”
The MESA team from Las Cruces High School finished the day winning 1st place overall
