Let the (science and engineering) games begin!

<p><strong>WHAT</strong></p><separator></separator><p>Arizona Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) Regional Competition</p><separator></separator><p>About 100 middle school and high school students from Peoria, Tempe, Deer Valley, Phoenix High School Union, Maricopa, Kyrene, Littleton, Creighton and Murphy school districts will showcase their design, problem-solving and communication skills.</p><separator></separator><p>The MESA Regional competition is a preliminary event for Phoenix-area MESA students. Top performers go on to compete at the state championships on MESA Day, April 24, in Tucson.</p><separator></separator><p><strong><br />WHERE</strong></p><separator></separator><p>Arizona State University, Tempe, Murdock Auditorium (Room 101)<br />(Campus map at <a href="http://www.asu.edu/map/interactive/">http://www.asu.edu/map/interactive…;)</p><separator></separator><p><strong><br />WHEN</strong></p><separator></separator><p>Saturday, Feb. 27, 9 a.m.-12:45 p.m.<br />An awards ceremony will be at 12:15 p.m., following the last competitive event</p><separator></separator><p><strong><br />ADMISSION</strong>: Free</p><separator></separator><p><strong><br />DETAILS </strong></p><separator></separator><p>Competitive events are designed to capture student imagination and encourage interest in science, technology, engineering and math concepts.</p><separator></separator><p>ASU students, faculty and business professionals will serve as volunteers and judges as 7th to 12th graders compete in engineering challenges.</p><separator></separator><p><strong><br />HIGHLIGHTS</strong></p><separator></separator><p>Cargo Bottle Rocket: Teams construct a bottle rocket (using 2-liter soda bottle) and a device that launches an “astronaut” (an egg). To win, the rocket must fly the farthest distance within the testing zone without injuring the egg-astronaut.</p><separator></separator><p>Wind Energy Challenge: Students construct and test a windmill device that uses wind energy to transport a vehicle, lift an object and produce power.</p><separator></separator><p>Solar Oven: From commonly found materials, students design, build and test a solar oven that will generate temperatures hot enough to cook food.</p><separator></separator><p>Paper Truss Bridge: Using regular copy paper and glue, teams design and build a paper truss bridge. The bridge that can support the greatest amount of weight wins.</p><separator></separator><p><strong><br />BACKGROUND</strong></p><separator></separator><p>The Arizona MESA Central Region chapter is based in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. MESA is an academic program designed to assist females, diverse and disadvantaged students in pursuing higher education, and possibly careers in math, engineering and science.&nbsp; The program provides after-school support in a collaborative learning environment that enables 7th through 12th grade students to engage in activities and competitions related to math, engineering, science and college preparation.</p><separator></separator><p>The year-long MESA program provides individual academic guidance and exposure to college and industry role models, and promotes a strong academic foundation in mathematics and science as the key to college admission and success. MESA is a free program to participating students and a quality low-cost, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) resource for Title I or diversified schools in the Phoenix metro areas and surrounding areas.</p><separator></separator><p><strong><br />TO LEARN MORE </strong></p><separator></separator><p>See the web site: <a href="http://engineering.asu.edu/k12outreach">http://engineering.asu.edu/k12o…;, or MESA USA: <a href="http://mesa.ucop.edu/about/mesausa.html">http://mesa.ucop.edu/about/mes… />SOURCE:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><br />Lauren Majure, <a href="mailto:lauren.majure@asu.edu">lauren.majure@asu.edu</a><br />K-12 Outreach Coordinator<br />Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering<br />(480) 965-8258</p><separator></separator><p><strong>Media contact on day of the event:</strong><br />Lauren Majure: (480) 818-0920 (cell)</p><separator></separator><p><strong><br />ASU MEDIA CONTACT:</strong><br />Joe Kullman, <a href="mailto:joe.kullman@asu.edu">joe.kullman@asu.edu</a><br />(480) 965-8122 office<br />(480) 773-1364 mobile<br />Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering<br /><a href="http://engineering.asu.edu/">http://engineering.asu.edu/</a></p&gt;