MESA Students visit NM Tech and the VLA Shawndeana Smith sion. They provided a plethora of resources West Regional Coordinator and some goody bags handed out to each The top New Mexico MESA juniors participant. and seniors from the North, North Central, Providing MESA students an opportu- and West Regions attended this year’s New nity to visit the NM Tech campus has been Mexico Institute of Mining and Technolo- a priority of University President Daniel gy Field Trip Tuesday, December 2, 2015. Lopez throughout his 23-year tenure at the There were 21 students from the North helm of the Institute. The 70-year-old Lo- Central Region, 29 students from the North pez will retire June 30 and will be replaced Region, and 24 from the West Region. by either Nagi G. Naganathan, a professor Throughout the day, students were able and the dean of engineering at the Univer- to visit and meet with professors and stu- sity of Toledo in Ohio or Stephen G. Wells, dents in the Physics, Civil Engineering, the president of the Desert Research Insti- Environmental Engineering, and Electrical tute with the Nevada System of Higher Ed- Engineering Departments. MESA students ucation. The NMT administration is confi- very much enjoyed their visit to the Phys- dent that the new leadership, regardless of ics department where they were able to whom is chosen, will continue the tradition experiment with the Gyroscope, Newton’s of hosting MESA students each year. Cradle, the Electrostatic Generator, and As a special bonus, the North Region the Nebula Plasma Ball. Indeed, MESA students also visited The Very Large Array students gained great insights into each of near Socorro the day before the actual NM the engineering departments while visiting Tech College visit. Students participated professors and students. After students had in a guided tour of the facilities and asked fun visiting each department, they were questions of the staff about the astronomi- given some time to visit the newly opened cal radio observatories. Mineralogical Museum located on the NM Overall, the 80 students and 20 addition- Tech Campus. al participants on this year’s MESA visit “It was a real pleasure to meet the MESA enjoyed a very meaningful and productive students,” noted NMT sophomore Lynn day at NM Tech, selected by U.S. News Marie Jarratt. “I remember how amazed and World Report as the nation’s most af- I was when I came for a campus visit my fordable research university and the best senior year of high school, and I wanted to overall research institution in the Rocky make sure that these students had a similar Mountain Region with a 97% success rate in job placement within six months of experience.” Photo by Rick Cole graduation. This annual trip proves to be Additionally, the admissions and re- NM MESA Executive Director Toney Begay smiles during a break in the action at very encouraging for NM MESA students, cruitment staff at NM Tech were able to the Alliance for Minority Participation (AMP) Conference in Las Cruces. provide much needed information to the especially considering many MESA se- students during a question and answer ses- niors choose to attend NM Tech. NM MESA Ready for a New Year of Success Toney Begay NM MESA Executive Director

Ya’at’eeh (Hello), Welcome to the first 2016 edition of the New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering, Sci- ence Achievement, Inc. (MESA) e-newsletter. As the new year begins, MESA is prepar- ing for a schedule full of events and programs throughout the state of New Mexico. We start off strong with our signature Legislative Field Trip and MESA Day. We are very proud of these experiences our students get to have. The Legislative Field Trip allows MESA students a chance to experience our state’s capitol and learn about the interesting efforts of legislators. MESA Day allows students to engage in teamwork and friendly competition after hard work (research, experimentation) and prolific mental preparation. MESA’s Loyalty Award students finish up their last semester of high school and prepare to continue their STEM education with our financial aid. NM MESA has a long tradition of helping young future scientists and engineers find early success and passion. I hope you enjoy reading about the important and exciting work of the MESA staff in this newsletter. And I hope you continue to stay up to date with MESA and our valuable work and achievements throughout 2016.

Check inside for the following articles - * Regional Highlights ...... p. 2

*Guenther Advisor Award Nominations...... p. 2

*Limbs Campaign Achievements...... p. 3 Photo by Shawndeana Smith MESA students from the West Region pose before a fiery Texas Red Oak on the New Mexico Tech Campus during a special tour for MESA Students in December. *Deputy Director Linda Andrews’ Profile...... p. 4 Students toured various departments on campus in addition to the new Mineralogi- cal Museum. Students from the North Region also toured the Very Large Array on the Plains of San Augustin to accent their trip. Specially coordinated trips for MESA *Winter Beauty...... p. 6 students to NM Tech have been a mainstay of the MESA program and NM Tech for more than two decades. *SIFT Qualifiers and Milestone Advisors...... p. 8

2 VISION - Winter, 2016 Adventure Amidst Challenge in CO Region Rick Cole Indoors, the teams competed in conducted an Arduino workshop January 13 are also slated to earn Loyalty Awards later CO Regional Coordinator the prosthetic arm and MESA FUNda- to help students polish their coding skills in this year. Robles is also the WMHS MESA building prosthetic arms. The PowerPoint President. WMHS Advisor Luisa Castillo “Adventure amidst Challenge” has been mentals events as well as attending work- of that lecture, created by Sandia Labora- will also be on the trip as a teacher-chaper- the dominant them of Central Outer re- shops in those same venues. Taylor Middle tory Scientist Arne Gullerud was, in turn, one. gional activities this winter. School dominated the MS competitions by shared with schools throughout the region. And when it comes to Loyalty The November regional rally was sweeping the prosthetic arm and finishing High School continues Awards, more than 20 CO students from quite successful, but it was certainly an ad- second behind Sarracino MS in MESA to set the pace both regionally and state- five high schools are eligible to receive the venturous challenge as some of the events FUNdamentals. Atrisco Heritage Academy wide in community service. During the scholarship. Students will complete appli- were outdoors and November 7 just hap- HS won its first-ever rally by earning first winter, the Mustang MESA students have cations in March and be notified of official written thank-you letters to military per- award status in April. sonnel serving our nation overseas, MESA CO students have been working support letters to legislators in Santa Fe, hard for the upcoming MESA Day and will recruited volunteers for the UNM Raisin` be competing against programs from all Cane Performance, collected donations for over New Mexico for state championship Niños de Hospicio, fund-raising for SIFT, honors. Any and all students, parents and volunteering for the NM MESA Leader- community members who would like to see ship Council at MESA Day and creating the MESA Day competition are welcome and hanging scores of signs around WMHS to come to the University of New Mexico encouraging positive behaviors. Student Union Building March 2 to see the Meanwhile, Truman Middle best in prosthetic arm engineering and the School raised $2,700 in pennies for char- exciting and entertaining closeing ceremo- ity and participated in a Civil Air Patrol nies. workshop, Jimmy Carter Middle School NM MESA also extends congrat- participated in the Bosque Environmental ulations to the following MESA Advisors Monitoring Project and Ernie Pyle Middle for achieving these noteworthy milestones: School has begun a school-wide recycling Chris Trueba, Los Lunas HS – 10 years as program. a MESA advisor; Diana Russell, Atrisco Congratulations go to West Mesa Heritage HS – 3 years as an advisor; Mar- High School seniors Brenda Salas, Karla garita Smith, Taylor MS – National Board Vazquez, Ariana Astorga and Gladys Rob- Certified Teacher; John Davies, Los Lunas les for being selected to represent the CO HS – a record-setting 46 years as a high Region on the NM MESA Senior Incentive school science teacher; Joey Sanchez, Va- Field Trip to Washington D.C. in April. All lencia High School – proud papa of a baby four are multi-year MESA students who boy.

Photo by Rick Cole Desiree Arnett of Ernie Pyle Middle School contemplates how to plan a theme dur- ing a workshop at the Central Outer Middle School Leadership Summit. pened to be the coldest day of the month. and third in the prosthetic arm and claim- Thus, students arrived at the zoo in the ing three other honors in MESA FUNda- Albuquerque BioPark early that morning mentals to edge out runner-up Cibola HS. as the temperature bottomed out at 18 de- Middle school students also grees, a full 21 degrees cooler than average participated in the CO Regional Middle for that date. Indeed, the weather would School Leadership Summit at the UNM not get that cold again in Albuquerque until Valencia Campus January 29. Polk MS mid-December. students taught their peers how to develop Thus, students bundled up to par- trust as a leadership attribute. Other work- ticipate in the opening and closing ceremo- shops included Belen MS teaching internet nies held at the zoo’s outdoor theatre and safety, Truman MS developed teamwork continued to don their jackets, gloves and through “Crest” design and Ernie Pyle MS hats as they participated in making toys for made their colleagues aware of food waste the zoo animals outdoors and/or toured the and its ramification on hunger at a world- Photo by Rick Cole zoo for behind-the-scenes insights in ani- wide scale as well as locally. Sixth-grader Lacey Drew of Truman Middle School evaluates workshop quality at mal husbandry. Atrisco Heritage Academy HS the CO Middle School Leadership Summit at the UNM - Valencia Campus. We Love our MESA Advisors! Nominate an Advisor for the Guenther Advisor Achievement Award Nicholas Kunz Guenther, who earned his Ph.D. in chemis- of the Land of Enchantment, continued gin with the review of a nominating form, NC Regional Coordinator try from the university throughout his life. and will culminate with the award being Dr. Arthur H. Guenther loved science… in 1957, was not only Thus, in honor of made to the two highest scoring nominees, He loved education…He created New a renowned research this remarkable scien- as calculated by evaluation of specific se- Mexico MESA in 1982. As a research pro- professor at the Uni- tist and educator, NM lection criteria. The selected advisors and fessor of electrical and computer engineer- versity of New Mex- MESA has recently es- their schools will be recognized formally ing, professor of physics and astronomy at ico, his leadership as tablished the Dr. Arthur and publically by NM MESA as recipients UNM, and Chief Scientist at the Air Force a chief scientist at the H. Guenther Advisor of the award. Advisors will also receive a Research Library, he was an advisor and Los Alamos National Achievement Award cash award from NM MESA. mentor to hundreds of graduate students, Lab was instrumental with the expressed goal Calling all students, parents, teachers, and also served as the Science Advisor to in forming alliances of honoring the legacy community members – It’s time to start three New Mexico Governors. with Sandia National of Dr. Guenther, while thinking of those great MESA advisors He wanted to influence the lives of high Laboratories. He re- simultaneously recog- who continuously give of their time, pas- school students in New Mexico who were ceived many awards nizing the wonderful sion and expertise to ensure that students interested in a bright future in STEM ca- through his long ca- and important work receive a world class experience while in reers. So he worked with university repre- reer, including one done by MESA advi- MESA! Advisors can be nominated by sentatives and state and federal government from President Rea- sors who perpetuate Dr. anyone who has seen their great work in officials to bring the MESA program to gan, and wrote more Guenther’s vision each action. The nomination form and all of- New Mexico. He subsequently spent many than 350 publica- year. ficial information and guidelines will be years working as a MESA Board Member tions. He was born in Selection of award released on the NM MESA website on Fri- and Board Member Emeritus. Hoboken, New Jersey Dr. Arthur Guenther recipients is based on day, March 4, 2016. The nomination dead- As noted in the Penn State Univer- and was the state’s youngest Eagle Scout. performance and is designed to reward ex- line is April 1, 2016. Award winners will be sity Spring 2008 Alumni Newsletter, Dr. His love of the outdoors, particularly that cellence and leadership. Selection will be- named shortly thereafter.

VISION - Winter, 2016 3 Learning Fun Headlines West Region Activities Shawndeana Smith The West Region held a HS Leader- FUNdamentals Challenge. Students en- in teams. Each team was able to take home West Regional Coordinator ship Event October 14, 2015 at the NMSU joyed a great day of interactive activities. a miniature bridge at the end of the work- It has been a busy year for the West Grants Campus. Throughout the day, Also in October, Dine College in Tsaile, shop. In the afternoon, students took part in Region and the future definitely looks to students attended workshops and vari- Arizona hosted a STEAM Day for middle a mini-prosthetic hand challenge competi- be busier as well. The West Region held ous hands-on activities. The workshops school and high school students. Tohatchi tion where they used various tools as their various events and activities in the Fall and focused on preparing the students for the Middle School, JFK Middle School, prosthetic hand. Students were enthusiastic all sights are on the upcoming MESA Day MESA Day events which include the Pros- Crownpoint Middle School and Thoreau about the upcoming MESA Day event after competition. thetic Arm 2.0 Challenge and the MESA High School attended this event. Each the mini-competition. school participated in various STEAM Overall, it’s been a great year so far for activities including air balloon building, West Region students. The West is conduct- Hogan building, Math fun, Scope building ing three winter Rallies before MESA Day. and much more. Students enjoyed a day of The Rallies are due to take place at Navajo practical but fun learning while at the Col- Technical University, NMSU Grants, and lege. San Juan College. Students will continue The West Region also held its first Re- to prepare for MESA Day, MESA USA and gional Rally on December 4th at the UNM a regional mini-competition which will be Gallup Branch. Tohatchi High School, held in conjunction with an Explora visit in Gallup High School and JFK Middle stu- April. Some of our students are also gear- dents participated. The first half of the day, ing up to attend the Senior Incentive Field Professor Wahid from the Arts and Scienc- Trip in April to Washington, DC. The West es department spent time going over some is looking forward to all these fun activities possible Engineering careers with the stu- and more because that is how we do it in dents. They also were able to build bridges the West - we make learning fun!

Photo by Shawndeana Smith Photo by Shawndeana Smith Arianna LeBeau, back center, prepares to assemble a balloon canopy with a pair of Students assemble devices from wood strips and polyurethane plastic as one of a teammates at the STEAM Day at Dine College. series of projects at the Dine College STEAM Day. CC Snell MS Sets the Pace with Four Legs in LIMBS Campaign Terry Ramirez to bring students the opportunity to make ceeded their goal and fundraised for a total Many other schools in our state are do- SW Regional Coordinator a positive change through our Engineering of four legs! One of their campaigns was to ing their share to help this cause. And yet MESA students across the nation are Revolution Initiative. have ‘Electronics Day’ at school. Normal- we could do more. Before testing and other joining together so that amputees around Interested stakeholders can find more in- ly, the school does not allow electronics, spring activities fill the schedule, students the world can walk again! #SoAmputees- formation by clicking on this website https:// but the MESA students presented their pro- are encouraged to talk to advisors, collabo- Can. New Mexico MESA, along with all limbsinternational.org/schools/18938/ posal to the CC Snell Principal and before rate with regional coordinators and get the the other MESA USA states, are excited MESA-USA-Schools. There it will tell of you knew it they had one leg. Shortly after word out on how to become part of the to be partnering with LIMBS International many ways to create a LIMBS campaign that they had a dodgeball game where stu- Engineering Revolution. and increase dents had to tie awareness of the one arm and im- plight of the dis- mobilize it; this abled in school. was to show how This is a great important those way to become prosthetic arms leaders at school that we’re build- and help change ing for MESA somebody's life Day can truly be! around the world! Then they raised Just last month money through CC Snell Middle their science School of Bayard, classrooms to New Mexico in make it possible the Southwest to fund a total of Region recently four legs to help had several fund- change the lives raisers for a pair of people around of legs. They ex- the world. Photos by Terry Ramirez Left - CC Snell Middle School Stu- dents gather in front of the Univ- eristy of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) College of Engineering during a re- cent field trip in conjuction with de- livering a check to Trevor Bergman, right, Executive Director of LIMBS International, to pay for four pros- thetic legs for those who need them.

4 VISION - Winter, 2016 ‘La Familia’ is Linda Andrews’ Legacy NM MESA Deputy Director Promotes “Family” Cooperation Among Staff, Teachers and Students Rick Cole lege she experienced during a visit, Linda Memorial High School was instrumental in tually in New York City. CO Regional Coordinator chose to become an OSU “Aggie” instead Linda’s life-long passion for both educa- “When Daniel moved away from Atlan- of a Texas “Aggie” like her father. This be- tion and people. But 10 years into Linda’s ta in 2006, I had no reason to stay there,” New Mexico MESA is an organization came a source of continual family teasing teaching career, she gave birth to a son of mused Linda. “I remembered my grandfa- composed of 12 full-time employees who but was not a decision she regretted. her own, Daniel, and the classroom was ther and trips we had taken to New Mexico serve more than 4,000 students and advi- There were no regrets about majoring in put on hold for the next 14 years. when I was a kid and when my brother sors every year. Working with so many chemistry either, although Linda did real- Life revolved around family as Linda married a woman from Taos. I really start- people can be challenging, but NM MESA ize that she did not want to work in a lab poured herself into raising her son in Hous- ed thinking about moving west when I saw Deputy Director Linda Andrews says the all the time. Thus, she parlayed her chem- ton, Memphis and then Atlanta as her hus- an ad for a job with New Mexico MESA. I organization is like a family. istry studies and love of learning into a sci- band changed jobs. And when Daniel began sent my stuff in, had a telephone interview “The relationships we have in MESA are ence education teaching certificate so that school, Linda began to do more volunteer with Toney (Begay – NM Executive Direc- very important to me,” explains Andrews, tor) and got hired to be the North Central who celebrates 10 years with the organiza- Regional Coordinator. tion this year. “We learn to work together “But coming to New Mexico all by my- through thick and thin. We laugh together, self was scary,” added Linda. “I was mov- cry together, sometimes argue and tease, ing by myself to a job and locale – sight but we help each other from early morning unseen. And there was so much snow in to late at night. We work like a family. And New Mexico that first year. I was in awe of MESA is my family – `La Familia.`” the beauty of the snow but driving in it was Ms. Andrews truly sets the tone for treacherous!” “family” relationships in NM MESA with For two years, Linda served as the North her “down-home Texas, roll-up-the-shirt- Central RC and then was promoted to Dep- sleeves-and-get-it-done-side-by-side” dis- uty Director, a position she has held ever position. After all, Linda is Texas-born, since. But regardless of job or location, her bred and raised and takes tremendous pride sense of “family” has accompanied her and in her Lone Star State roots as well as her infuses her philosophy of MESA. deep and meaningful connections to her “We’ve built on good working rela- biological family tionships to create La Familia,” Linda ex- Houston is the home town for Linda, who plained. “We even build bonds with the is the daughter of a World-War-II-veteran employees’ families. Everybody respects dad and nurse mom, who met and married everybody, even when there is so much shortly after the war ended. Her dad, be- pressure to do all that we do. It may be ing a Texas A&M University graduate, at tough, but when an event is done, we are one time settled the family in Bryan, Texas, all the better for it because we get out there the site of TAMU - America’s most famous and go beyond the norm, building charac- “Aggie” college. To this day, Bryan touts ter along the way.” itself as a family-friendly community with Linda sees her biggest challenge in the slogan - “The Good Life, Texas Style.” MESA as that of managing people because The good life continued when dad moved “everybody is so different. We have to ad- the family, now grown to include Linda and just to each employee. And we work with a younger brother and sister, to the west all kinds of teachers and all kinds of stu- side of Houston. This good life included dents that require many different strategies day-to-day loving stability, many family to successfully work with them. celebrations, vacations to visit grandpar- “I try to make MESA more efficient ents and cousins on the Baker/Higgins side she could inspire students to pursue their work while also playing lots of tennis. She so that the RC jobs are easier to do. The of the family in West Texas, lots and lots of dreams just as she had been inspired. Be- helped raise hundreds of thousands of dol- website and MIMS have become so much good Texas barbecue (Linda is particular to sides influential teachers, this inspiration lars for various causes in Memphis and better and have helped us communicate a perfectly grilled Texas steak to this day!), was due, in part, to her paternal grandfa- Atlanta and her on-going knack for fund- and document what we do. We need to be learning to play tennis and outdoor jaunts ther, who taught students of the Mississippi raising has been a reliable source of help cutting edge in efficiency because we are that included picking pecans while explor- Choctaw tribe in Indian Territory (Oklaho- for MESA staff and advisors. STEM.” ing nature in the Spring Branch communi- ma before statehood). When Daniel entered high school in But at the same time, MESA is so re- ty. Throughout school, she also developed “He (grandfather) was quite a story tell- 1996 and in conjunction with a divorce, warding. a love of learning, but became especially er,” recalled Linda. “We could just listen Linda officially went back to work, this “As a RC, working with students and fond of chemistry due to the influence of a to him for hours. He even wrote an essay time as a principal of a distance-education teachers to see what they could do and high school chemistry teacher. about his life and put me in it. He noted high school, a new phenomenon in edu- create was so gratifying. And as Deputy “I chose to major in chemistry in col- that I taught chemistry and was passionate cation at that time. She took the school Director, I get to see our staff work with lege because of my high school chemistry about teaching the native students. That through the accreditation process, arranged the kids, talk with them about how to make teacher,” Andrews recalled. “She made made me want to teach even more.” for staff to design curriculum, coordinated things better and it is so worthwhile.” learning straightforward yet interesting Linda did become a teacher but not in the instructional staff and built the school Linda’s ability to reflect has been instru- and I like things black and white. I even Oklahoma like her grandfather. Instead, she to an enrollment of more than 50,000 – one mental in her ability to successfully raise a worked as her lab assistant.” met her husband at OSU, they got married of the nation’s premiere distance education family – which now includes a daughter- But before Linda went to college, trag- and moved to Houston, where she taught institutions. in-law and granddaughter. This reflective edy struck as her mother died unexpect- in the very high school from which she “Being a principal kept me busy, but it nature is also evident in every MESA ac- edly while using an experimental drug for graduated – Memorial High in the Spring did not interfere with my ability to be Dan- tivity as Linda emphasizes the importance a kidney condition. Linda, only 18, learned Branch Independent District. iel’s mother,” Linda noted. “I supported of understanding relationships to make that the love and joy which make family “I taught chemistry and aviation. I even him as needed, but Daniel was a wonder- them work. so special also make the hurts that much became the (science) department chair and ful child; he excelled at all he did and was “New Mexico MESA is La Familia deeper. It was a life-changing experience very much enjoyed my job. I liked work- athletic. We had a lot of fun together during because we make it that way,” said An- that forever changed her perspective on ing with the kids, my colleagues and had his high school years. drews. “MESA has such a learning curve, commitment to family. an absolutely wonderful principal,” ex- “We took a lot of college trips and he but we support one another and avoid the She thought much of this commitment as plained Linda. “At the time (early `70’s), ended up going to the University of Virgin- tunnel vision that our only focus is STEM. she left Texas to study chemistry at Okla- school was a focal point of the community. ia. He pledged (to a fraternity) and told me, We concentrate on building effective and homa State University in Stillwater, 536 Parents’ nights would be packed because `Mom, now I have brothers!’ ” meaningful working relationships.” miles north of Houston. Influenced in part the school was so well supported by the Daniel graduated with a degree in com- Thus, NM MESA is “La Familia” be- by a cousin who was also going to school students’ families.” merce and worked as an investment banker cause Andrews has fostered a culture of there and the overall atmosphere of the col- This “family-friendly” environment of in Atlanta, then Washington D.C. and even- family in all the organization does.

La Familia - NM MESA

VISION - Winter, 2016 5 Central Inner Winter Highlights Include Reflection on Individual Learning Styles Kimi Allen-Scheerer CI Regional Coordinator The Central Inner Region of NM MESA includes 15 schools: nine high schools and six middle schools. We will be sending 38 teams to the MESA Day competition at UNM in March. As the Regional Coordinator, I can see that although our schools are quite dif- ferent, all of our teams are on track to academic competition success! Our winter story started with a Regional Advisory Meeting (RAM) at Lucky 66 Bowl- ing in December. Teachers had the opportunity to have some fun and see teamwork in action. We also got to chat with APS Water and Energy Conservation Education Special- ist Robert Lazar and the Environmental Education Association of New Mexico Executive Director Barbara Garrity before our behind the scenes bowling tour! This RAM was a great sharing and networking event to learn more about education opportunities and resources in the area. The Central Inner Region also had several student leadership workshops as we moved through the snowy season. Students from , Cleveland Middle School and NexGen Academy worked in teams to create catapults, share what makes Photo by Betty Chancey them confident and participate in activities that help them to find their voices. Student Students from Carlsbad Intermediate School and Carlsbad 6th-Grade Academy workshops started with three basic questions about science, technology, engineering, celebrate winning numerous awards at the NM Electric Car Challenge. art and math and explored different view-points in formulating answers. SE Region is Active and Winning! Questions in- cluded: 1) What part Betty Chancey of STEAM is the most interesting each school. to you? Brief- ly explain why you SE Regional Coordinator The Southeast Rally was held on the think that is. 2) How do you learn The NM MESA Southeast Region ENMU-Roswell campus on Friday, Janu- the best? Or, what type of learning schools had very busy Fall and Winter ary 22, 2016 with 218 students (55 teams) style do you recognize as fun/im- seasons. Schools participated in the NM competing. This year’s Prosthetic Arm portant/neces- sary for you? and 3) Middle School Electric Car Challenge, Event has been one of the most challenging What helps you feel confident Best Robotics, our SE Rally Competition competitions NM MESA has ever offered about your- selves? and the Legislative Fieldtrip in addition to to our schools. Scoring is not complete Finally, a big regional thank continued work and research for our State- at this time. However, I am very proud of you to the leadership council at wide MESA Day event. the prosthetic arms the teams created and Valley High School for their dili- In the NM Electric Car competition, SE brought to this competition. We are look- gent effort of Photo by Kimi Allen-Scheerer creating and sending MESA students from Carlsbad Intermedi- ing forward to competing at the Southeast student letters Cleveland Middle School students have fun to the NM legisla- ate School (formerly PR Leyva MS) and and Southwest State MESA Day Competi- ture in support with the trial and error process of engineer- of NM MESA. We Carlsbad 6th Grade Academy (formerly tion February 22! would also like ing during their MESA day preparations! to thank Senator Sue Alta Vista MS) built battery-powered cars The Southeast, Southwest and North Wilson Bef- fort who has East and competed in three events. The three Region schools participated in the Legis- Mountain High School in her district. events included an oral presentation about lative Fieldtrip on January 25, 2016. The Senator Beffort has historically been a strong supporter of NM MESA and sponsored both the major challenges facing battery-pow- 67 Students delivered letters to Legislators, Senate Memorial 29 (NM MESA Day, Jan 25, 2016) and Senate Bill 143 (appropriating ered electric vehicles, a design challenge watched Legislators at work in the House funding for NM MESA educational programming)! about the overall design of the team’s car, and Senate and received encouraging talks Central Inner High Schools include: Albuquerque, Amy Biehl, Del Norte, East Moun- and a timed race. Between the two schools, from various legislators, university Offi- tain, Highland, Manzano, NexGen Academy, South Valley Academy and Valley High the Carlsbad teams came home with 9 cials, Congressman Ben Ray Lujan’s As- School awards. Carlsbad Intermediate School won sistant and Dr. Hanna Skandera, Secretary Central Inner Middle School include: Cleveland, Garfield, Jefferson, Kennedy, Taft the Spirit Award, 3rd place in the design of NM PED. and Van Buren challenge, 1st and 2nd place in the race, The letter-writing efforts were supple- and 1st and 3rd place overall. Carlsbad mented by students from many schools in North Region Students Developing Leadership 6th Grade Academy won 1st in the design the West, Central Inner, Central Outer and challenge, 3rd place in the race, and 2nd North Central Regions. All in all, more than Alejandra Carmona-Cruz proud that it has the most students in the North Regional Coordinator place overall. The overall places come with 250 letters were delivered to legislators en- state qualified for SIFT and the subsequent a monetary prize for the MESA coaches to couraging them to support bills sponsoring The NM MESA North Region had a very opportunity to visit Washington, DC. Due continue to build the MESA program at NM MESA. busy, challenging and exciting Fall Semes- to their high academic and overall MESA ter. From doing rallies and inspections, the standing, these students will have a once in Photo by Betty Chancey North Region Coordinator has witnessed a lifetime experience. Students and staff from Alamogordo’s Holloman Middle School pose with New some amazing work from teachers and Throughout the Fall Semester, West Las Mexico District 32 Senator Cliff Pirtle during the January Legislative Field Trip. students. The numerous snow storms that Vegas High School (WLVHS) MESA stu- hit NM were definitely not an obstacle as dents were busy with service learning in students worked on their prosthetic arm their community. Students volunteer their designs, volunteered in their communities time with the Elks 408 Lodge Drug free and visited colleges. program. With this program they promote This year, regional rallies were held “Being drug free” to younger students by individually and organized by school dis- participating in the various events and item tricts. For the North Region, individual- collection events held for the Drug Free ized rallies tended to be a great success; Program. It is evident this is an important this format allows students to have more program for WLVHS MESA students since one-on-one time with their peers, teachers they have been active for four years now! and Regional Coordinator. Students are NM MESA provides so many great ex- able to ask more questions, learn to work periences for students. This year, Robert- and best prepare their teams for MESA son HS, West Las Vegas HS and Springer Day. There are many leaders in the North, HS had the chance to travel to Socorro, but these three middle schools have truly NM to visit the Very Large Array (VLA) shown leadership and grit: Mora Middle and New Mexico Tech for workshops and School, Anton Chico Middle School, and to receive college information. For stu- Santa Rosa Middle School. The students dents interested in pursuing a career in and the Advisors from these schools have astronomy or related fields, they learned achieved so much in such a short amount that the VLA offers its facility to anyone to of time. They went from not being famil- conduct research and participate in intern- iar with Arduino programming, to building ships. Both the North Regional Coordina- prosthetic arms that run on Arduino pro- tor and the MESA Statewide Coordinator gramming. Now, they are perfecting their traveled with the students in the same bus. arms to be ready for MESA Day competi- Needless to say it was a great bonding ex- tion. perience for everyone. The High Schools do not fall short when The outlook for the North Region this it comes to leadership. The North Region spring is like the flowers that will inevitably was able to qualify eight students for the follow the heavy snows we have received NM MESA SIFT (Senior Incentive Field this winter: there should be a blossoming Trip) and one teacher. North Region is of talent and abilities in many activities.

6 VISION - Winter, 2016 The Beauty of Winter – NM MESA Style

Photos and Reflection by

Alejandra Carmona-Cruz North Regional Coordinator Everyone loves winter, even for a few seconds. Usually, winter brings snow and this year in some parts of Northern NM it blessed us with close to 3 feet of snow. During our winter break I spent endless hours looking out the window as well as shoveling our driveway. I looked out and admired the way the snow danced from the sky, covering the ground, transforming the landscape into a white winter wonderland. I am not concerned about the cold when it looks this beautiful. Although, I think people do change their minds once the snow begins to melt away, leaving nothing but a muddy mess.

VISION - Wnter, 2016 7 HAVING FUN WHILE LEARNING – MESA FUNdamentals IS COMING TO A MESA DAY NEAR YOU Nicholas Kunz What will happen at the event? It’s a come actors…and human computers. also carry on throughout the whole year NC Regional Coordinator SURPRISE! So how can we prepare? It’s When preparing for Environmental Ca- and help with student preparation for inde- and very important to thoroughly read the reer Exploration, we want students to learn pendence. Students can study labels from Kimi Allen-Scheerer MESA Day Handbook and see the re- about the world of possibilities that exists different products and discuss various CI Regional Coordinator sources on the FUNdamentals page on our when considering a career in Environmen- website. The onsite event will include three tal Sciences and the many engineering/ product footprints- where packaging and American philosopher John Dewey of- stations: Syntax Charades, Environmental scientific applications that occur in voca- ingredients came from and where they’ll ten spoke of the importance of the holistic Career Exploration, and Sustainability Su- tions that interact with nature. Student end up. Students can learn about materials learning process. “Give the pupils some- permarket. teams will work together to solve related science, and even analyze campus trash. thing to do, not something to learn; and For Syntax Charades, students want to real world problems. Guest speakers, field Ultimately, they should learn to be wise the doing is of such a nature as to demand be confident with the language of Arduino trips, online research, in-class projects, when evaluating different social, economic thinking; learning naturally results.” programming. If they’ve worked on cod- going outside to identify signs of wildlife- and environmental costs while shopping In this year’s MESA Day competition, ing their prosthetic arm, they should be on these are all examples of the endless op- for products. students will experience a world of fun. their way. But why not create some fun tions for ongoing learning that go beyond A great summary of preparation activi- This year’s onsite event, MESA FUN- games? Ever played charades in MESA? the competition. After MESA Day, each ties can be found on the website’s FUN- damentals has been designed to perpetu- Can a student create a line of code with the MESA program should continue these damentals page in a document titled Re- ate learning beyond competition and the correct syntax to make a teammate perform kinds of explorations. source Page of Rally Ideas and Teacher school year to become a life-long process. a specific action? It’s time for kids to be- Sustainability Supermarket skills can Preparation Ideas.

Photos by Rick Cole From left to right are photos from the Central Outer Rally: Environmental Careers - Forest Ranger Ali San Gil demonstrates the many careers associated with the Forest Service; Syntax Charades - Students from Taylor Middle School act out a charade in response to a “code” written by their teammates; Supermarket Sustain- ability - Belen Middle School students evaulate the merits of product content and packaging in determining best choices for consumer purchases., MESA Day Is Fast Approaching – Get Ready!

Anita Gonzales two events and will have qualified to com- computer syntax, environmental careers, budget sheet, the team’s experimental log Statewide Events Coordinator pete in the competition. One of our events, and consumer product sustainability. book, a typed overview of the design pro- It’s that time of year when over 1,300 Prosthetic Arm 2.0, is a portion of our relat- In addition to the academic competi- cess that includes 10 components and an students and advisors will be participat- ed MESA USA National Engineering De- tion, students will have an opportunity to interview in which each member of the ing in our upcoming MESA Day competi- sign Competition where students will have visit with some of our community partners team must answer at least one open-ended tions. to build a prosthetic arm and maneuver the in a Discovery Fair. Volunteer opportuni- question about the design and coding pro- This year we will have three regional arm to do tasks using Arduino Computer ties are available and needed to either help cess used to create their prosthetic arm. events throughout the state: North Area- Programming. The tasks the students will with our competitions or display at our This is practice for college projects. Las Vegas, NM at New Mexico Highlands have to complete are placing items in and Discovery Fair. For more information, please visit University on February 18, 2016; South out a designated area, tossing bean bags Those students/teams wishing to qualify http://www.nmmesa.org/event/mesa-day- Area-Las Cruces, NM at New Mexico into a target area, and high school students for the MESA USA state qualifying event 2016/ or contact Anita Gonzales at anita@ State University on February 22, 2016; and will need to place and secure nuts on a bolt. will not only compete with their prosthet- nmmesa.org. This event is open to the Central Area-Albuquerque, NM at Univer- The second event, MESA FUNdamentals ic arm but present a proposal that will be public. Our MESA students have worked sity of New Mexico on March 2, 2016. is a STEM adventure where students will evaluated in conjunction with arm perfor- extremely hard on their projects and this Attending students will be competing in complete hands-on tasks in the areas of mance. The propsal includes an itemized should be a fun and rewarding event. New Mexico Highlands University New Mexico State University The University of New Mexico

8 VISION - Winter, 2016 Congratulations to the 2016 SIFT Qualifiers: Washington D.C. Bound! Anita Gonzales Region First Name Last Name School Statewide Program Coordinator Central Outer Ariana Astorga West Mesa High School Our Senior Incentive Fieldtrip is almost North Justice Atkins West Las Vegas High School here. On April 25-28, 31 NM MESA Stu- dents and 5 NM MESA Advisors will be West Jefferson Bahe Gallup High School headed to Washington, D.C.! Southeast Nicholas Baker Alamogordo High School Selected students had to apply and were Southeast Angel Baray Alamogordo High School selected based upon their participation in the MESA program through the first half West Nixolas Bedonie Navajo Preparatory School of their senior year, STEM classes taken, Advisor Michael Boyle Robertson High School cumulative GPA and submitted essays. While in our Nation’s Capital, students Advisor Luisa B. Castillo West Mesa High School will get to experience the history of our na- West Chandler Charles Miyamura High School tion as well as participate in unique STEM North Raquela Crespin West Las Vegas High School experiences. Some highlights include pro- grams at the National Building Museum, West Delvena Dale Miyamura High School The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, North Marina Duran West Las Vegas High School the Kennedy Center, Capitol Hill, the White House, the National Museum of Southeast Merrik Faudree Alamogordo High School Health and Medicine, and other National Advisor Serri Grube Valley High School Monuments and Museums. This will be a Southwest Sergio Juarez Alta Vista High School once-in-a-lifetime and well-deserved expe- rience for our attendees. Congratulations North Central Maria Juarez-Parra Espanola Valley High School to our selected students and advisors listed Southeast Brittani Kelley Ruidoso High School in the adjancent column. NM MESA has sponsored a SIFT for West Kaila Lee Crownpoint High School decades as a reward for students who stay North Ambrozia Medina Mora High School committed to participate in the MESA pro- Advisor Rebecca Merrill Gallup High School gram. In past years, students have traveled to Florida, New York, Texas and Califor- West Wayde Morgan Crownpoint High School nia, among other locations. Southwest Jonah Ng Students and advisors pay just a small portion of the trip cost as NM MESA pays North Brianna Pacheco Mora High School 75% - 85% of the expenses. Conversely, North Carmelita Padilla Mora High School the memories and relationships created Southeast Colton Robertson Ruidoso High School during these adventures are priceless and often prompt students to expand their hori- Central Outer Gladys Robles West Mesa High School zons for the rest of their lives. North Destiny Romero Mora High School Indeed, the SIFT often is the first airplane ride for many participants. For some, it is Central Outer Brenda Salas West Mesa High School their first venture outside New Mexico. North Central Shania Salipan Espanola Valley High School No other co-curricular program provides West Sheyenne Sangster Gallup High School a travel opportunity equivalent to SIFT, a component of the MESA program that the Advisor Kala Scarafiotti Ruidoso High School staff is commited to perpetuating. Southwest Alan Tirado Underclassmen are thus encouraged to continue to make the most of their involv- Central Outer Karla Vazquez West Mesa High School ment in MESA activities while also main- Central Inner Diana Vega-Neri Valley High School taing theit grades in a college preparatory North Ashlyn Wagoner West Las Vegas High School curriculum to maximize their chances of participating in future SIFT adventures. Central Inner Cherrlynn Zarate Valley High School MESA Advisors to Be Recognized for Milestone Years of Service at MESA Day

Each of these 12 teachers earned an A+ for working with NM MESA students for a combined 87 years. Thank you for your service! Bernadette Galvez 20 years Veronica Esquibel Mesa Vista High School 15 years Christina Trueba West Las Vegas 10 years Patti Gronewald Middle School Los Lunas 10 years High School Jefferson Middle School Aleli Colon 5 years Donna Fernandez Rina Viramontes 5 years Van Buren Middle School 5 years Chaparral Middle School Navajo Preparatory High School (Gadsden) Katie Bachicha-Sanchez 5 years Larry Krzebiot Vision Anton Chico Middle School NM MESA Executive Director IT Manager 5 years Toney Begay John Davis Deputy Director Editor Berrendo Middle School Linda Andrews Rick Cole Arlyn Elorde State Program Coordinator Regional Coordinators Anita Gonzales Betty Chancey, Terry Ramirez, 5 years Shawndeana Smith, Rick Cole, Kimi Scheerer, Diane Russell Crownpoint High School Nicholas Kunz, Alejandra Carmona-Cruz 3 years Vision is an electronic newsletter published quarterly by New Mexico MESA. It is published by the Atrisco Heritage Academy MESA staff as a public service to all stakeholders of NM MESA and the general public. Opinions Maviz Yazzie are the views of the MESA staff and those who submit articles or letters to the editor on issues of High School 3 years concern, or in response to any material produced in the newsletter. Submissions can be made elec- tronically to [email protected]. The editor reserves the right to edit any submission for grammar, Navajo Preparatory High School clarity, the omission of profanity or libelous material. All editing will retain author’s intent.