‘Math + Science + Engineering = Success’ at annual MESA Day Competition
Speeding mousetrap cars, turning windmills, and flying balsawood gliders are some of the exciting engineering designs at the 2010 MESA Day Preliminary Competition at the UCSC Jack Baskin School of Engineering on Saturday, March 6, 2010.
About 400 middle and high school students from partner schools in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Salinas, Gonzales, and Soledad convened at the UC Santa Cruz campus to compete against their peers in a variety of science, engineering, and mathematics projects, putting their design, presentation, critical thinking, performance, and teamwork skills to the test.
“The competitions at MESA Day provide an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge in science and engineering in a hands-on, creative way that’s exciting and fun. Students also get the chance to spend the day with real scientists, engineers, and other industry professionals who judge their projects,” said Alexandria Leckliter, Interim Director of the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Schools Program. “It’s an eye-opener for them. For some students, this creates the motivation to go to college.”
The March 6 event was organized by MESA at the UC Santa Cruz Educational Partnership Center (EPC) to increase college-going rates across the region and prepare more students, especially underrepresented and educationally disadvantaged students, for success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and careers.
Scholarships Available for Underserved Students at San Jose, Watsonville and Pajaro Valley High Schools
High school seniors at select high schools in San Jose, Watsonville and PajaroValley who are in need of economic assistance to attend college are encouraged to apply to the College Success Scholarship Fund offered through twin UC Santa Cruz Educational Partnership Center regional efforts.
The College Success Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for college-bound, disadvantaged seniors at Watsonville and PajaroValley high schools and San Jose’s Andrew Hill, James Lick, Gunderson, Overfelt, San JoseHighAcademy, Yerba Buena, and Willow Glen high schools.
Recipients of the 2009 College Success Scholarship who have met the eligibility criteria have been contacted and encouraged to apply for renewal. The deadline for applications is April 16, 2010. Scholarship recipients will be announced in May/June, 2010.
For more information about the Watsonville and Pajaro Valley scholarships, please contact Yesenia Cervantes at 831-212-4749 or by email at yeseniac@ucsc.edu.
For more information about Silicon Valley scholarships, please contact Felicia Nance at 408-531-6121 or fnance@ucsc.edu.
Scholarship applications and Transfer Partnerships Program (TPP) enrollment form can be downloaded below. If you are planning to attend a two-year community college, the completed TPP enrollment form must be submitted with your scholarship application.
Silicon Valley College Success Scholarship Fund application for new scholarships.
Silicon Valley College Success Scholarship Fund application for renewed scholarships.
Watsonville College Success Scholarship Fund application for new scholarships.
Watsonville College Success Scholarship Fund application for renewed scholarships.
Students and families are invited to attend Cash for College workshops for free, multilingual support about college financial aid options, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Cal Grants. The annual Cash for College Campaign, an initiative of the California Student Aid Commission, is part of ongoing efforts in the region to increase college-going rates and help low-income and first-in-family college students complete the financial aid application process and pursue postsecondary education. There will be a special Cash for College Campaign Kick Off event on Saturday, January 30, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at San Jose City College in San Jose.
There will be 15 Cash for College Campaign workshops in San Jose throughout January and February for one-on-one assistance with financial aid and scholarship applications. Workshops are free, multilingual, and open to the public.
Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Gunderson High School
Tuessday, Jan. 26, from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Yerba Buena High School
Thursday, Jan. 28, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at James Lick High School
Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at San Jose High Academy
Saturday, Feb. 6, from 10:00 – 2:00 p.m. at Foothill College
Saturday, Feb. 6, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Willow Glen High School
Monday, Feb. 8, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant High School
Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. at William C. Overfelt High School
Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Andrew Hill High School
Friday, Feb. 19, from 10:00 – 11:30 p.m. at San Jose City College
Monday, Feb. 22, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Pioneer High School
Tuesday, Feb. 23, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at James Lick High School
Thursday, Feb. 25, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at William C. Overfelt High School
Friday, Feb. 26, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at San Jose City College
Saturday, Feb. 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at West Valley College
The Cal Grant deadline is March 2. The kick off event on Jan. 30 and the Campaign workshops are being organized by EPC and its San Jose Cal-SOAP program and K-16 partners from across Santa Clara County. Citi Foundation also provided generous support to the Cash for College Campaign.
Students and families are invited to attend Cash for College workshops for free, multilingual support about college financial aid options, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Cal Grants. The annual Cash for College Campaign, an initiative of the California Student Aid Commission, is part of ongoing efforts in the region to increase college-going rates and help low-income and first-in-family college students complete the financial aid application process and pursue postsecondary education. There will be a special Cash for College Campaign Kick Off event on Saturday, January 30, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at San Jose City College in San Jose.