ABOUT MESA

Imagine, Explore, Create

The MESA class stands for Math Engineering Science Achievement and serves as an introduction to engineering. It is appropriate for all students, not just students planning on a career in engineering or the sciences.

MESA mainly consists of student-centered activities that engage participants in a variety of practical scientific situations and encourage students to use experimental skills and processes to reach solutions. The class focuses on critical thinking, problem solving, decision making and specifically engages 21st century skills. Students are challenged to apply principles of math, science, engineering, and technology to develop prototypes and working models. Examples of activities include building the slowest roller coaster possible, building a wind turbine that can lift 300 grams, creating a wind turbine of original design, and constructing a catapult that can handle different masses and volumes.

Students also examine and analyze how scientific discoveries and their applications affect the world and explain how societies and individuals are influenced by and influence scientific investigations and applications.