Date: 03/05/2009

Over 500 Educationally Disadvantaged Students Prepare for Math, Science and Engineering Competitions on Saturday, March 7, at San José State

Contact:
Christina Ramos, SJSU MESA Schools Program Director, 408-646-7118
Pat Lopes Harris, SJSU Media Relations, 408-656-6999

SAN JOSÉ, Calif., -- The sounds of cracking bridges, splattering eggs and constant cheers will ring through San José State's campus on Saturday, March 7. That's when the San José State University MESA Schools Program, an academic and enrichment program that helps pre-college students excel in math and science, will hold its annual MESA Day Competition.??More than 500 educationally disadvantaged students from several schools, including Alum Rock, East Side Union, Franklin McKinley, San José Unified, and Sequoia High School districts, will compete against each other in math and science projects.

The day begins with students checking in at 7:30 a.m. and ends with an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Members of the media should report to the Student Union's third floor for a detailed events schedule. Most competitions will be held between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Student Union and the Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering.

Get a campus map and directions to SJSU.

MESA Day 2009 competitions include: The National Design Competition -- Trebuchet; bridges made out of manila folders, craft sticks and balsawood; balsawood gliders; biology models of hearts and gastrointestinal tracts; mousetrap cars; egg drops; and Web page designs all made by junior high and high school students within Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. The activities are designed to help students apply their academic skills to real-world math and science experiences while having fun.

"MESA Day is a time to see how students are able to succeed in math and science when given the tools and support needed," MESA Schools Program Director Christina Ramos said.?? "Every year, it is a joy to see how much hard work and dedication the students put into their projects and how the excitement of the students is enough to encourage an entire community."

The mission of the SJSU MESA Schools Program is to prepare and motivate educationally disadvantaged students to successfully pursue college-preparatory coursework, to promote careers in math and science, and to develop the pre-professional and leadership skills of the students involved in the program.

MESA Day sponsors and supporters include INTEL, IBM, EMC, Cisco Systems, General Electric, SJSU, the SJSU College of Science, the SJSU MESA Engineering Program, the Santa Clara Valley Water District, the Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists, The Tech Museum, and community partners.

San José State -- Silicon Valley's largest institution of higher learning with 32,700 students and 5,000 employees -- is part of the California State University system. SJSU's 154-acre downtown campus anchors the nation's 10th largest city.