Principal Guidelines
Establishing New Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Programs in the St. Vrain Valley School District
8/24/09
The St. Vrain MESA Advisory Board in conjunction with Colorado MESA and the St. Vrain Valley School District have established a process for implementing new MESA programs. Principals or organization leaders should contact Karen Hunter, St. Vrain MESA Coordinator at hunter_karen@stvrain.k12.co.us, expressing their interest in implementing MESA. After initial interest is expressed, an agreement summarizing the MESA program requirements must be signed by the school principal and returned to Karen Hunter at the LSC.
All MESA programs must agree to the following:
- Recruitment and retention of MESA advisor(s) must be a priority.
- All MESA programs must submit Colorado MESA Student Enrollment Forms (SEF) which are completed by parents to Elzbieta Towlen, Science Coordinator at the Learning Services Center, 395 S. Pratt Parkway in Longmont. The building/organization is responsible for adding State Assigned Student Identification Numbers (SASID) before sending them to Elzbieta Towlen. Records clerks have been asked to do this task.
- All MESA programs must prepare an exhibit for the St. Vrain MESA Expo that is held each spring.
- MESA programs must adhere to MESA's vision and mission. Identifying, recruiting and retaining students from the MESA target population (including ethnic minorities, students of poverty, and women) must be a priority.
The MESA Mission
- Encourage, motivate, support and prepare students for success in the pursuit of undergraduate degrees and careers in science technology, engineering, and mathematics, (STEM).
- Serve all students but have a particular interest and focus on students from groups that are historically underrepresented in STEM-based careers.
- Prepare elementary, middle and high school students to enter STEM professions through collaborative projects focused on building math science, technology and communication skills.
The MESA Vision
To support the national science and mathematics educational agenda by ensuring that MESA students develop a high level of literacy in mathematics and science so they can play a leading role within an increasingly technology-based world.
In keeping with the MESA Mission and Vision, MESA programs should include opportunities to investigate STEM-based careers through field trips (university/college, industry), academic tutorials/mentors, and project-based academic enrichment activities.
