Gonzales students shine at MESA competition

The Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Schools Program at CSU Fresno held its annual regional competition the weekend of April 9, and Gonzales MESA students did great. Here's how they fared (by competition)

Medal winners: 

 Egg Drop 9th-10th Grade
1st Place - Eduardo Hernandez & Alfredo Valdez
3rd Place - Anahi Soto & Priscilla Flores

Egg Drop 11th-12th Grade
2nd Place - Palmera Ochoa & Maria Duran

Mousetrap Car Power - 9th-10th Grade
3rd place - Ivan Lopez

Balsawood Bridges Strength to Weight - 11th-12th Grade
2nd Place - Richard Martinez & Vicente Rios (848 lbs.)

Design ribbons:

Mousetrap Car Design - 9th-10th Grade
3rd place - Ivan Lopez

Balsawood Bridges Design - 11th-12th Grade
1st Place - Richard Martinez & Vicente Rios

Since its founding at UC Berkeley in 1970, MESA has encouraged students—especially those from underserved populations—to learn about math, engineering, and science in new and exciting ways. MESA has a tradition of preparing students to go to four-year colleges and universities. Many MESA alumni go on to graduate with math and science-based degrees and go into professions in these fields.

Students had a great time at the regional competition, science teacher Max Feldman said. His students have been participating in MESA competitions for a number of years, and they always get a lot out of them, he said.

Congratulations, boys and girls! A life of science awaits you!

Gonzales families celebrate STEM successes

Gonzales Unified School District and Hartnell College’s NASA/SEMAA (Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Aerospace Academy) program will be hosting a potluck Family Café event on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at La Gloria Cafeteria at 220 Elko Street, Gonzales.

The event is designed to celebrate and share the successes of student’s participation in the Saturday STEM Academy (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

The program will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Families of the attendees are invited to come and see a special presentation about the program, hear a very exciting special guest speaker, and participate in a science mission activity.

Over 250 students, K-12, have been attending the program and have completed many missions that focus on relevant science concepts and how they apply to space.

This sounds like an good family event, so if you're in Gonzales, you should check it out. 

Gonzales tackles school safety, in another way

The Gonzales Unified School District will host a presentation -- in English and Spanish -- on raising emotionally healthy children. The meeting will address concerns of school violence, and parents and community members will learn how to support young children.

The presentations will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, February 7, at the Gonzales High School band room, 501 5th St Gonzales.