Cal State East Bay to Host Next Generation of Scientists and Mathematicians at 8th Annual MESA Day
- March 3, 2016
More than 800 6th-12th grade students are expected to race mousetrap cars, sail handmade gliders, crush balsawood bridges, and perform tasks using self-designed prosthetic arms as part of Cal State East Bay’s MESA Day, March 5, on the Hayward campus.
Pre-college students from 21 schools across seven East Bay school districts will participate in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions this Saturday.
“The hands-on events were developed to stimulate student interest in math, science and engineering while reinforcing basic math and science concepts,” said Cal State East Bay’s MESA Program Director Ramona Neveu. “For most students, attending MESA Day is the first time they will have visited a college campus.”
The event begins with a welcome ceremony in the campus gym attended by Dr. Jason Singley, dean of the College of Science, and Dr. Saied Motavalli, chair of the Department of Engineering, followed by competitions throughout the day. The day concludes with an awards ceremony, and the opportunity to advance to the Northern California Regional MESA Day competition at UC Davis in April.
For 46 years, the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program has been working to prepare and motivate educationally disadvantaged students to succeed in math and science courses, pursue a path to college, and graduate as STEM professionals for 46 years. MESA centers are located across California and provide support to students at the K-12, community college, and university levels. The MESA program has been replicated in more a dozen states.
MESA is supported by grants from Bank of America, Chevron Refinery Richmond, Lam Foundation, Long Foundation and Irene Scully Foundation.
For more information about MESA at CSUEB please contact: Ramona Neveu, Director, CSU East Bay MESA; 510.885.4763, ramona.neveu@csueastbay.edu.