Program: MESA at Arizona State University
Posted on November 22nd, 2011 by ASEE
Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) is a university-based outreach program operating in eight states. In Arizona, MESA strives to provide an opportunity for ethnic minority, low income, and first generation college-bound students to explore college majors and career interests with a group of peers interested in attending college.
Filed under: Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12, K-12 Outreach Programs | Comments Off on Program: MESA at Arizona State University
Tags: After School, Contests, hands-on activities, Minority Group Students, Programs for Students, Science programs
Registration is now open for eCYBERMISSION, the U.S. Army’s free, web-based STEM competition for students in grades 6 to 9. Now in its 10th year, the competition seeks to foster student innovation, creativity, and interest in studying and pursuing STEM fields. Winners can get up to $8,000 in U.S. EE Savings Bonds. Registration for teams closes December 16, 2011.
In this activity, students in grades 5 – 11 will use M&Ms to learn about radioactivity, the rate at which an isotope decays, and the concept of half-life. They will count and record the number of decayed “atoms” and graph the results.
The Office of Naval Research provides several different outreach programs for students at different grade levels. The programs, which include competitions and afterschool engagement, range in size and mission.
The Biomimicry Youth Design Challenge is a contest for K-12 students to learn about biomimicry — design inspired by nature — and use it to create something new. Sponsored by the nonprofit Biomimicry Institute, the contest is open to students at three different levels: K-4 (submissions made by the whole class); 5-8; and 9-12. Prizes will be awarded in all three categories.
Science Club for Girls (SCFG) is a series of afterschool STEM programs offering K-12 girls the chance to explore science and technology through experiments and activities. Through the Junior Mentor leadership program, teenage girls become role models, teaching young children science, learning life skills, conducting outreach, and exploring careers in STEM fields. 
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory recently announced the new Fall 2011 Cassini Scientist for a Day essay contest for students in grades 5-12. Winners are invited to a teleconference with Cassini scientists and engineers from the lab. The contest deadline is Oct. 26, 2011.
In this lesson, students in grades 3 – 12 will explore the engineering design process by building a device that can launch a ping-pong ball high enough for them to catch it.
Join PBS’s Design Squad Nation and ASEE’s Engineering Go For It for a free webinar entitled “Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers,” on August 25 from 12 PM to 1 PM EDT. Learn about free hands-on activities, videos, and other online resources that will help enliven your classes and spark a love of engineering in kids ages 9 and up.
