Purpose: To use STEM projects, mind-sets, and disciplines to teach and reenforce academic and personal growth in MESA school cohorts.
Focus: Facilitate the development of a STEM classroom culture and prepare students for MESA Engineering projects.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1.0 Goal: Introduction to MESA

Objectives:

-Use MESA resources to inform/recruit students, i.e. website, video, PowerPoint presentation, pamphlet/brochures, etc.
-Have students complete online application/registration for program (check with local center)
-Pass out and collect completed Parental Authorization forms and enroll students by your center’s given deadlines.
-Attempt to meet with parents during the school’s Back to School Night or another convenient time in early Fall to gain parental buy-in.

Time:
2-3 class periods AND one afterschool period

2.0 Goal: Build a “Sense of Belonging” and Set the Stage for Team/Project Based Learning

Objectives:

-Engage in class and team-building activities
-Do “introductory activities/projects” and “introductory/small scale investigations” to set the stage for MESA projects
-Engage in MESA Legacy Project (e.g. Legacy Bridges, Egg Drop, Mousetrap Car, etc.)

Time:
2-3 weeks (5 -7 Introductory Projects over 1-2 weeks, 1 week for challenge)

3.0 Goal: Introduce Engineering thinking and begin units

Objectives:

-Review and/or teach the Engineering Design Process. Use resources provided (through MARS site) if needed.
-Review “Engineering Lab Book” and its requirements
-Begin implementing MESA curriculum units and work on MESA projects.

Time:
4-6 weeks (1 week for MESA Day discussion and EDP, the rest for first unit)

4.0 Goal: Work on MESA Curriculum Units/Project

Objectives:

Continue using MESA Project Curriculum Units to support the implementation of MESA projects.

Time:
6-8 weeks

5.0 Goal: Encourage “Forward” thinking, Career and College exploration

Objectives:

-Have your local center engage in MESA Individual Academic Planning (IAP) with your students (MESA Staff and IAP Facilitators).
-Continue facilitating college/university workshops at your school (MESA Staff)
-If possible, plan a college/industry visit for your students

Time:
2-3 class periods

6.0 Goal: Prepare for MESA Day Competitions

Objectives:

-Introduce students to MESA Projects, rules, etc.
-Inform students regarding sequence of MESA projects leading up to MESA Day.
-Assess interest in various projects.
-Organize students in teams according to their interest and commitment to projects.
-Secure transportation, chaperones, other considerations for trip.
-Host local school competition (optional).

Time:
2-3 class periods/out of school time

7.0 Goal: Students participate in MESA Day

Objectives:

-Students come to MESA Day prepared to have fun, compete and demonstrate a level of competency..
-Confirm pre-registration of teams for competitions.
-Confirm transportation, chaperones, other considerations for trip.

Time:
Out of school time

8.0 Goal: Evaluate MESA Day participation and results

Objectives:

-Assess performance of your students. Congratulate students that you feel did well in competition
-Have students reflect on performance of projects; how could they have improved their projects?
-Have students reflect on their experience at MESA Day; what did they like? What would they change about the day?
-Continue working on MESA curriculum

Time:
2-3 class periods

9.0 Goal: Work on MESA Curriculum Units/Projects

Objectives:
-Continue using MESA Project Curriculum to support the implementation of MESA projects.

Time:
6-8 weeks

10.0 Goal: Students participate in MESA Capstone Project

Objectives:

-Have students asses their year in MESA, projects built, competitions, etc.
-Have students determine their most interesting projects and activities
-Organize students in teams according to their interests and such
-Inform students regarding a “Capstone Project” and what it means
-Students choose a project, and begin working on it
-Students accomplish project, and present findings

Time:
2-3 class periods/out of class time

11.0 Goal: Reward Students and Close the Year

Objectives:

-Incentives for most active middle school and high school.
-Host local event to acknowledge what students achieved in MESA.
-Participate in year-end recognition banquet.
-Begin recruiting students for next year.
-Coordinate with school Counselors to schedule students for MESA at next grade level.

Time:
2-3 class periods/out of class time