SPOKANE, Wash. —
WHO: 130 eighth graders from all six Spokane Public Schools
WHAT: Annual MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) Middle School Science Competition
WHEN: Wednesday, March 12, 2003, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Gymnasium of the East Central Community Center, 500 South Stone St.
WHY:
-Test science skills against peers in engineering events and logic games
-Compete for the coveted team traveling trophy
-Vie for state seed in Basal Wood Glider competition with the chance of qualifying for MESA’s national competition in Albuquerque, N.M., in June.
Come see paper tower, air car and basal wood glider competitions! The enthusiasm is contagious in this gym full of teenagers putting their minds and creations to the test.
Finalists will present between 2:30 and 2:50 p.m. with an awards ceremony to follow from 2:50 to 3:30 p.m. Plaques and medals will be presented to all individual and team winners. See the second page of this advisory for the full of schedule of events for optimal visual footage.
The goal of MESA is to provide globally competitive and individually competent students in mathematics, engineering and science with full participation of under-represented students, including African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians and women. This competition is a celebration of their efforts and an excellent opportunity to see young scientists in action.
Ask for Keith Orchard to arrange interviews with student participants at the event.
Schedule of Events – March 12, 2002
8:45 a.m. – Board busses at school. Be Prompt!
9:10 a.m. – Arrive in gym, get settled and directions.
9:20 a.m. – Begin Logic events – Tangrams, Hex, Mancala, 9-Man Morris.
noon – Pizza delivered – Be patient, there is more than enough for everyone.
12:20 p.m. – Last logic games played in the morning session.
12:45 p.m. – Balsa wood glider testing begins. Participants have 45 minutes to test and change their gliders.
1 p.m. – Air Car competition begins.
1 p.m. – Catapult competition begins.
1:30 p.m. – Paper Tower competition begins. All contestants must meet in the center of the gym at 1:25 and locate their packet of materials. The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. precisely. Each team will have 45 minutes to build their tower and ask for a measurement from the judge.
1:30 p.m. – Balsa wood glider competition begins. All flights at this time are final.
2:15 p.m. – Paper tower competition ends. Winners will be posted on the paper tower score sheet.
2:30 p.m. – All engineering competitions end. Winners will be posted on score sheets around the gym. Finals for all logic events will begin. Each finalist will be introduced and all final games will be played at the same time.
2:50 p.m. – Begin awards ceremony. All students must be in the bleachers at this time.
3:45 p.m. – Buses leave. Don’t be late or you will be left behind!
Thanks for all your energy and good will!
