MEP Expands Outreach through Partnership with Colorado MESA, continued

High school students launch gliders and careers at the Colorado MESA "Spring Fling," co-sponsored by Seagate Technology and NASA on the CU-Boulder campus.

Part of a national network of MESA organizations, Colorado MESA looks for academic potential in minority students as early as elementary school, and works with these students through high school, helping them to meet college-entry requirements.

For the second consecutive year, MEP and Colorado MESA joined together to offer a two-day "Spring Fling," exposing MESA students to the exciting world of engineering. Hosted by the College of Engineering and Applied Science, this year's event featured two hands-on competitions, challenging students in problem-solving and design.

More than 150 students from 18 high schools competed at flying hand-made balsa wood gliders in the first Colorado MESA glider competition. The winners will go on to compete in a national competition in Tucson, Ariz. Students also worked in teams to build boats out of plastic, gallon jugs, wood furring strips and duct tape, and then tried to navigate them across the recreation center's swimming pool.

Co-sponsored by Seagate Technology and NASA, the Spring Fling allowed MESA students to meet and talk with CU students about college life, tour the campus including the engineering and science labs, and obtain information about college admissions and financial aid.

http://www.colorado.edu/engineering/MEP.