Mousetrap cars, Popsicle-stick bridges, model science, Web design and speech competitions will be the order of Saturday, March 15, when the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Schools Program at California State University, Fresno hosts its 28th annual MESA Day.

More than 250 aspiring engineers from central San Joaquin Valley middle and high schools are expected for the preliminary competition that begins at 8:30 a.m. in McLane Hall room 121 and runs until 3:30 p.m. at various locations on campus. All are trying to qualify for regional competition at University of California, Santa Barbara next month.

The students have been working throughout the year with the College of Engineering’s MESA Program, which serves approximately 850 students in 22 Valley middle and high schools.

The program motivates and prepares disadvantaged students, especially from underserved populations, with the knowledge and skills that will enhance their interest in professions requiring degrees in engineering and other mathematics- and science-based fields.

MESA Day competitions encourage local youngsters to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, said Louie Lopez, director of Fresno State’s MESA. There’s also a conference for parents, presenting information on college admissions, financial aid, pathways and careers in engineering.

Throughout the year, MESA students plan, build, study, prepare and practice the MESA Day competitions to represent their schools. The top three in each competition earn a trip to the regionals to represent Fresno State MESA against teams from throughout the state. Some regional winners will move on to state and national competitions.

MESA Day enjoys volunteer support from the community, College of Engineering representatives and student organizations such as the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers – Professional Chapter and the Junior Doctor’s Academy. Fresno State Vice President for Administration and CFO Cynthia Teniente-Matson, has engaged her division to provide volunteers to help judge some of the competitions.

For more information, contact Lopez or at 559.278.2976 or
lolopez@csufresno.edu.