County elementary school teams compete in MESA
Thirteen Charles County Public Schools teams placed in the elementary Math, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) competition held April 24 at North Point High School. Student teams competed in competitions that tested their abilities in mathematics and science.
Dr. James Craik Elementary School was chosen as the overall elementary school winner. Awards were given for first-, second-, and third-place teams and one overall elementary school winner was chosen. The school that earns the most points throughout the competition is chosen as the overall winner.
Teams from the county's 20 elementary schools participated in the following five competitions: Balsa Wood Bridge, Effective Communications, On-Site Mathematics: Slope/Rate of Change, Scratch Banner and Theme Park Ride.
The following teams placed at the elementary-school level:
Balsa Wood Bridge:
- Mt. Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School, first place;
- William A. Diggs Elementary School, second place; and
- Eva Turner Elementary School, third place.
- Craik, first place;
- T.C. Martin Elementary School, second place; and
- Malcolm Elementary School, third place.
- Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School, first place;
- C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School, second place; and
- Berry Elementary School, third place.
- Craik, first place;
- Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School, second place; and
- Indian Head Elementary School, third place.
- Indian Head, first place;
- J.C. Parks Elementary School, second place; and
- Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School, third place.
This is the first year Charles County Public Schools competed as a separate Maryland MESA region, due to growth of participation in the program. During the 2006-07 school year, six county elementary and six middle schools, as well as three county high schools, competed in the regional competition with Calvert and St. Mary's counties. This year, teams from all 34 county schools participated in the competition. Maryland MESA is designed to prepare students for academic and professional careers in mathematics, engineering, science, and technology. The program's goals are to increase the number of engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and related professionals at technical and management levels; and to serve as a driving force in encouraging and assisting minorities and females in achieving success in these fields.
