NEDC champions – Glori Erichson, Landon Wood, Ethan Dorman, Coleman Eschenbrenner and Chris Keller, teacher advisor
The Nexus outreach program, Rocky Mountain MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement) chapter has once again proven its mettle by emerging victorious in the exhilarating national engineering design competition (NEDC) held in the vibrant city of Albuquerque, New Mexico on June 24-26.
Comprising a group of talented and dedicated young minds, the Rocky Mountain MESA team
from Broomfield High School, (Glori Erichson, Landon Wood, Ethan Dorman, Coleman Eschenbrenner) showcased their technical prowess, innovative thinking, and collaborative spirit, leaving a lasting impression on the judges and cementing their position as emerging contenders in the realm of engineering excellence.
Teacher advisors were Suzi Dykstra (not present) and Chris Keller, and Colorado School of Mines graduate student mentors Farai Mazhandu and Sami Siska (not present). Cynthia Howell is the Rocky Mountain MESA Director and Danielle Ladd is the Rules Committee and Teacher Advisor coordinator. Christian Beren is the graduate student mentor coordinator for RM MESA.
The Competition:
As an alliance of states, MESA USA provides leadership in equity and access for STEM, achieves programmatic excellence and ensures national program sustainability.
The highly anticipated MESA national engineering design competition (NEDC) brought together MESA chapters from across the country to Albuquerque, offering a platform for high school-age budding engineers to display their skills and passion for problem-solving.
The event encompassed a range of challenges, requiring participants to devise innovative solutions to real-world problems. The 2022-23 academic year theme was, “Designing for Equity in Your Community”. Teams were evaluated on the effectiveness of their design briefs, technical presentation and interview, the project report and project pitch. These categories looked at the application of engineering principles, and the overall creativity and execution of their projects.
Winning team with MESA staff Cynthia Howell (RMMESA Executive Director) and Danielle Ladd (RM MESA Teacher Coordinator)
The team from Broomfield won 1st Place overall, as well as 1st Place in the Technical Presentation and Interview, 1st Place in their Project Report and 3rd Place in their Project Pitch.
Against fierce competition, the Rocky Mountain MESA chapter outshone their rivals with an impressive display of technical ingenuity and teamwork. Their project, titled “Fighting Hunger One Click at a Time” (FISH) addresses the pressing issue of food insecurity and language inequities at the local level. With a holistic approach that encompassed both engineering and socioeconomic considerations, their design provided an innovative and sustainable solution to the challenge at hand. With the app’s launch, FISH has been able to improve communication and break the language barrier between foodbanks and their users. The app can be catered to both domestic and international food banks.
Teamwork and Mentorship:
Behind the Rocky Mountain MESA chapter’s triumph lies the exceptional collaboration and mentorship within all its teams. At the RM MESA state competition held April 29, a team from Warren Tech Central High School won 2nd Place for their “Bag Transport Tank” and another team from Broomfield High School won 3rd for their “B-Ready Recycle” project.
RM MESA 2023 Group Photo at the Jamboree and State Competition, April 29, 2023
Participating Colorado schools in the 2022-23 RM MESA include Arvada High School, Legacy High School, Broomfield High School, East High School, Warren Tech Central, Early College of Arvada, Golden High School, Arvada West, Arvada K-8, Grand Junction Middle and High school, Poudre High School, Arrupe Jesuit High School, North Arvada High School and Warren Tech North High School. New this year was Alameda International Middle- and High School
Chris Thiry, Mines Research Librarian, demonstrates the interactive globe on display in the CoorsTek Building
Our chapter has students from all over the state whose collective dedication and willingness to learn from graduate student mentors and teacher advisors play a big role in their success and the success of the program. Throughout the academic year the students work hard, and the teacher advisors and Mines grad student mentors provide crucial knowledge and guidance, empowering the young engineers to push their boundaries and think outside the box. This mentorship aspect of MESA not only hones technical skills but also stirs passion, fosters personal growth and professional development, and prepares participants for future engineering careers.
A display in pyrotechnics at the MESA National Engineering Design Competition, June 24-29 in Albuquerque, NM
The Rocky Mountain MESA chapter’s victory in the engineering design competition is a testament to the dedication, technical expertise, and collaborative spirit of this one team. But along with their victory, the Rocky Mountain MESA’s entire chapter of students, teachers and grad student mentors continues to inspire and pave the way for future engineering marvels.