Through the San Diego MESA Alliance, college students will have a unique experience to witness the “real world” of work in an engineering or scientific environment. Your involvement will provide a great opportunity for our up and coming students to “test the waters” in a field of their interest and see first-hand how classroom skills relate to the workplace.

What better way to do that, than observe and work with a professional in action! You the employer, get to make a positive impact on the lives of students; future engineers and scientists!

More information can be found at http://www.engineering.sdsu.edu/mep/ShadowDay.htm

The National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to the San Diego MESA Alliance (SDMA) provided stipends for 36 student interns (12 students in MESA/MEP program at each campus – San Diego City College, San Diego State University, and Southwestern Community College) this summer at various projects in science and engineering firms.

This is a unique paid internship that incorporates a team component into the student internship experience. Hired student interns were placed in teams of 2-4 students to work on projects in engineering and science firms or for faculty. Summer internships occurred between May through August of 2010, at a minimum of 100 hours. In some cases, employers and/or faculty may extend internships or create other internship opportunities for students (beyond summer 2010).

On Thursday, August 12, 2010, Raytheon Expeditionary Warfare Center and Rick Engineering Company hosted more than 50 student leaders and industry professionals for the 2010-2011 San Diego Region Joint Planning Conference for Engineering and Science Student Chapters.

The purpose of the annual event was to provide a forum for the leaders of various student and professional organizations.

Representing the 53rd district of California, Congresswoman Susan Davis presented advice for current college students, updated attendees on project’s she and her staff are currently working on in support of education in light of the current California and nation economy, shared thoughts about where the future of high education lies in regard to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields, the status of state and federal aid in the educational field, and lastly, touched upon the value of engaging in community service.

Teams consisting of MESA students at San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego City College (SDCC), Southwestern Community College (SWC), Morse High School, Imperial Valley High School, and William Moreno Jr. High School competed against each other in exams that spanned Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, and some Engineering material.

Each campus was also allowed up to 3 teams who would program a LEGO MindStorm NXT robotics kit to compete in 2 missions. The first mission required speed and intelligence to maneuver from a home area through a slalom course. The second mission was a combination control and head-to-head event where robots raced to collect the most LEGO pieces and return them back to their home base under a constrained area and time limit.

An End-Of-Year Celebration!! Kayaking / Sailing / Volleyball / Swimming / AWARDS / Relaxing / Fun / Food! An opportunity for MESA students, college faculty, and local industry (and their families) to get to know one another.

The Southwestern Community College (SWC) MESA Program, in collaboration with Southwestern College Associated Students Organization (ASO), hosted a Science Opportunity Day on March 23, 2001, from 10:00 – 1:00 p.m. at the SWC Math, Science, and Engineering (MSE) Quad.

The 3rd Annual Team SPAWAR MESA Training Academy took place at the SPAWAR Old Town facility in San Diego, California, on Friday, March 19, 2010, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The purpose of the training academy was to expose a diverse group of college level engineering, math, and science students to the world of Civil Service employment and the skills needed to succeed in the workplace as an acquisition professional or engineer.

SPAWAR facilitated discussions and training regarding Employment Programs and Benefits, The New Professional Program, Life as a New Professional, and Director of Organizational Development and Training Management, Dr. Douglas Fenner, presented Leadership/Workforce Development: A Global Literacy Perspective. Dr. Fenner also recommended several readings to increase students’ self-leadership skills.

Northrop Grumman representatives Desiree Galenti and Beilee Tracey facilitated a presentation on ‘Interviewing for a Job’ on Monday, March 15, 2010 at San Diego State University Career Services from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

Representatives from Infrastructure Engineering Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and San Diego Gas & Electric/Sempra Energy also hosted appointments for one-on-one mock interviews (at 30 minutes), and resume critiques/cover letter critiques (at 30 minutes).

By Kristiana Erthner
Cars racing, bridges collapsing and strange objects falling from the sky—this is what MESA Day is all about.

On Saturday, March 6, the MESA Schools Program (Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement) will host its annual MESA Day event, giving San Diego County middle and high school students the opportunity to participate in a number of science-based activities and win awards for their performances.

Southwestern College’s Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) Program, in collaboration with Southwestern College (SWC) Associated Student Organization (ASO) will host Science Opportunity Day on Tuesday, March 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Mathematics, Sciences and Engineering Quad/330 Building Patio Area. This joint effort between our program and student clubs facilitates the goals of introducing students to the opportunities offered by local companies, organizations and school programs. I hope that you will be a part of this good day!