SPOKANE — Approximately 50 young scientists will put their minds and creations to the test during the annual Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) seventh grade science competition. The Spokane MESA seventh grade classes from both Chase Middle School and Glover Middle School will be represented from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19 at the Riverpoint Campus South Campus Facility Court, 412 E. Spokane Falls Boulevard.
Students will test their straw towers for design efficiency, their foil boats for capacity and their sail cars for distance. Students will test their science skills against their peers and compete for team gold, silver and bronze medals.
The events will run simultaneously from 9:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Plaques and medals will be presented to all team winners from 1:50 to 2:20 p.m. In between these event segments, the student groups will enjoy a STEM-focused presentation from a surprise speaker.
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, Latinos(a), Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and females of all ethnicities. This competition is a celebration of their efforts and an excellent opportunity to see young scientists in action.
The Spokane MESA center is one of six centers in the state of Washington. It was founded in 1989 and serves approximately 400 students each year at 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grade levels. Spokane MESA is supported by both Washington State University Spokane and Eastern Washington University to maintain a high level of service to the Spokane area schools.
