All it takes to build a windmill is construction paper, rubber bands and batteries.

At least that’s what 40 Imperial Valley students in the Math Engineering Science and Achievement program in three middle schools and two high schools attempted to do at the San Diego Gas & Electric Windmill presentation at the SDG&E Resource Center on Wednesday in El Centro.

Five SDG&E engineers were on hand to give students an outlook on their career choice.

A select group of four San Diego State students were among 150 college students across California chosen to participate in a special leadership conference.

The Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Student Leadership Conference offered extensive professional and leadership development through direct interaction with industry mentors and speakers. The hand-picked MESA students, all science, engineering, or math majors, were from 24 universities and community colleges across the state, including San Diego State University.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) sponsored the event and more than 25 PG&E employees volunteered their time to work closely with the students during the 2-day conference in October.

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

Teams of MESA & SPSD students design “buoyancy shoes”, and student “shoe pilots” race across the length of the pool. Competition allows students to gain experience at applying applying the engineering design process; solving open-ended problems.

PBS&J recently presented a check for $5,000 to San Diego State University’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (SDSU MESA) Engineering program to benefit the Leadership Summit 2011. The Leadership Summit is an annual weekend camping event with an agenda of seminars, workshops, and group projects designed to develop the leadership, communication, and presentation skills of engineering/physical science students.

Prepare for Internships and Interviews NOW!

On September 10 and September 17, 2010 from 1-3 pm, we will briefly go over the NSF MESA Summer Team Internship Program, discuss how to organize your resume and cover letter, and do peer led resume critiques and mock interviews at Southwestern College and City College, respectively. These are free workshops, please see attached fliers for additional details.

Mr Mario Magallanes previously from William Moreno Jr High and now at De Anza 9th Grade Academy as the recipient of the Mary Perry Smith High School Advisor of the Year Award for the entire state of CA MESA Programs.

He was presented his award on Friday, July 29th in San Ramon CA in front of 300 of his MESA Colleagues. Jack O Conell, CA Superintendent was the keynote speaker and presented Mr Magallanes with his award.

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.

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).

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.