Hack for Change – Seattle
Seattle, WA:
MESA Students join Hack for Change – Seattle
We’re thrilled that more than 40 students, MESA Advisors and parents from the Washington MESA program will join Hack for Change – Seattle on Saturday, June 1. MESA students are developing an application (App) to address the problem of managing students’ assignments and projects. The students’ application is called “MESA Solutions for Learning” which should make managing any student tasks fun, inspiring and attainable for the struggling, as well as motivated, students.
The high-school students will also work with software developers in workshops and open-data advocates to build applications and visualizations. These applications are based on the data available on data.seattle.gov, Seattle’s open data platform. The day-long event will culminate in the presentation and judging of MESA team projects, and awarding prizes to the winners.
Register to join the MESA students at Hack for Change – Seattle at: RSVP HERE
For more information, visit codeforseattle.org or follow #Hack4Seattle on Twitter or seattle.opendata on Facebook.
Tri-City Herald profiles Pedro Guajardo Jr.
Pedro Guajardo Jr. is an electrical engineering student at Washington State University Tri-Cities. He was recently invited to present his biofuel development research at an undergraduate showcase on the Pullman campus and his work has earned him a $1,000 fellowship. He cites the importance of MESA during high school in getting him on a track that led to college and internships at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Read more »
YVTC MESA Day 2013
Richland, WA: Over 300 YVTC MESA middle school and high school students from the Granger, Mount Adams, Pasco, Sunnyside and Toppenish school districts competed at the 2013 YVTC MESA Day at Washington State University Tri-Cities in Richland, WA on April 25th, 2013. The day long competition was a culminating activity for YVTC MESA students to showcase their year long hands on experiential research, design, testing, and development of prosthetic arms. Teams were judged based upon distance – accuracy relay, object relocation, dexterity task, and design efficiency. The team projects were also assessed through demonstrated group work including oral and poster board presentations, and technical papers as a part of their graphical displays. Continue reading
MESA Day Upcoming Deadlines
Important Deadlines in preparation for Washington MESA Prosthetic Arm Challenge
May 18, 2013
Registration Deadlines
Registration lists of your Teams will be accepted via fax at 206 508 3546. Registration includes providing a list of the names of students, their advisors and MESA staff members and parents who will be attending State MESA Day. These lists can be emailed to pgharvey@uw.edu or mailed to:
Washington MESA, University of Washington
Attention: Phyllis Harvey-Buschel
PO Box 355485
Schmitz Hall 394 Box 355845
Seattle WA 89195-5845
May 1st, 2013
- Washington MESA deadline for Registration Forms from centers
- Photographs of winning teams for each center must be received to be included in the program
- Notify Washington MESA of T-shirt sizes for your team members on registration forms
Reminder for centers staying overnight:
- Please confirm your reservation to ensure that group rates are received at: Silver Cloud, Redmond WA
Technical Paper Deadline
- May 1, 2013: Technical papers from the center teams must be emailed to Washington MESA at pgharvey@uw.edu no later than 5PM (PST). Preferred format is a PDF file but MS Word 2003 or higher will be accepted. Confirmation receipt will be sent.
A downloadable version of the deadlines listed above are available here.
MESA Hackathon – 2013
MESA Solutions for Learning Challenge
MESA Solutions for Learning is a student challenge to develop a mobile software applications (or apps) solutions for managing your class assignments or a class project. Your solution should be used on a smart phone and should assist you or other students in managing your assignments or class projects.
To learn more please download the brochure.
If you are a MESA student from the Seattle or Tacoma area and you are interested please register here: Registration Form
Washington State MESA Day 2013
Hosted by Microsoft at the Redmond Conference Center on May 18, 2013 Washington MESA Day represents a one-day event of excitement and academic challenges for Middle and High School MESA students from MESA Centers across the state of Washington. Continue reading
Pi(e) Day celebration in Richland (video)
Neiri Carrasco, director of Yakima Valley/Tri-Cities MESA, fills in the Tri-City Herald about Pi(e) Day on the Richland campus of Washington State University. See the video »
Seattle MESA celebrates 30th anniversary on March 14
For details on this 21 and over event at the Newport Yacht Club and how to RSVP, see our event page.
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
The College Success Foundation has announced the online application for the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship is available beginning Monday, Jan. 7, 2013.
The scholarship helps low- and middle-income Washington State residents earn first bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and health care. The application period is Jan. 7, 2013, through Feb. 18, 2013.
Update on Flipped Classrooms
The idea of the”Flipped Classroom” is gathering momentum in the Puget Sound. Do take time to read the article about the Tacoma Teacher who is turning learning upside down in his classroom.
The flipped classroom is a concept that improves active learning; students learn from viewing a prerecorded lecture and the teacher uses the class time to help students grapple with the more challenging concepts.
I have also learned a few tips on best practices for the flipped classroom from edutopia. I have crafted a simple term for this as this relates to flipping.
TEAR ( technology, engagement, access and reflection)
1. Need to Know: Ensure that there is a clear reason for students to know the content- relevance.
2. Engaging Models: Use a pedagogical model that demands it such as: Project-Based Learning (PBL).
3. Technology: Ask yourself- Do you have the technology to support a flipped classroom? a variety of technologies (smart phones, DVD, USB, videos, online) ensure access of materials to all students.
4. Reflection: Build in reflective activities for students to think about what they have learned ( discussions, authentic projects, presentations)
5. Time & Place: Keep flipped content brief (8-10 mins). Provide a place where content is available for students both inside and outside your classrooms.
Phyllis