What is MESA?

MESA is a Math, Engineering & Science Academy that will be housed in the new wing of Albemarle High School. The Academy will open its doors in the fall of 2009 with approximately 50-60 students in 9th and 11th grade.

The Math, Engineering and Science Academy offers a four-year program designed to prepare students for a college preparatory pathway to a career in engineering. Students will thrive in a state-of-the-art laboratory environment designed to provide authentic experiences in mathematics, engineering, and science. Academy students will explore science and mathematics through the lens of engineering research and design.   Students will learn to communicate complex ideas reflecting the rapid growth of technologies applicable in the global community.  Students enrolled in the Academy will have the opportunity to experiment with cutting edge technologies as they interact and intern with professionals in the science, mathematical, and engineering fields.

MESA is a way for students who are interested in engineering and mathematics to take additional, elective coursework in those areas. It is also an accelerated and integrated mathematics and science curriculum, which combines some traditional courses, such as physics, chemistry and earth science, and encourages students to move to higher-level, college coursework in their final years.

Students at MESA work together in collaborative teams to design and problem-solve. They are interested in applying theoretical knowledge in practical ways by building, creating, designing and inventing. Students will be immersed in the Scientific Method and encouraged to ask "What if ...?" or "What happens when ...?" They will need to be able to be resilient and to try new options when one idea fails. As Thomas Edison famously said, " I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Edison also said, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." Students at MESA will be challenged not only to create new ideas or ways of doing things, but to be persistent in making them a reality, and to continue to improve their strength, performance or cost-effectiveness.

If you enjoy "Mythbusters", building models with Legos, K'Nex, or other materials, robotics, Destination Imagination challenges, puzzles, or generally 'figuring things out', you would be a good candidate for MESA.