New Mexico teams bring home honors in national engineering competition
Two New Mexico schools made the Land of Enchantment proud in a national engineering competition. Students from Chaparral Middle School and Albuquerque magnet school nex+Gen Academy participated in the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement or MESA event, both
placing in the top five overall.
The USA National Engineering Design Competition was hosted at the University of Arizona and wrapped up on June 21.
Chaparral placed first overall for middle schools and nex+Gen placed fourth for high schools, according to a news release. And the schools also brought home top ranks in sub-categories such as first place in the technical interview category for Chaparral and second place in prototype pitches for nex+Gen.
Middle and high schools’ MESA programs from around the country competed in the challenges during the multi-day event.
“This competition centered around human-centered design, entrepreneurial education and microprocessors. Students created products that would better serve human needs incorporating the use of microprocessors and Arduino (programmable circuit board) programming,” the news release described.
Chaparral’s project focused on creating products aimed at helping people who are visually impaired eat independently. The nex+Gen team designed an automated hoop house for school gardens.
SUMMER GRADUATION: Later this month, Albuquerque Public Schools will host its summer graduation.
The district announced that the ceremony will be held on the
evening of July 22 at the Kiva Auditorium at the Albuquerque Convention Center, 401 Second NW.
Seniors in summer school who have met their graduation requirements will get the chance to turn their tassel and receive their diplomas.
CHARTER SCHOOL BREAKS GROUND: An Albuquerque charter school is getting closer to opening its doors.
Solare Collegiate Charter School, a South Valley college prep school, broke ground on what will be its permanent location at Gibson and Barbados SW late last month with a guest list including city councilors and state officials.
The school is aiming to open on July 31, launching the school year at a temporary space on Lead SE.
It will begin with grades five and six, then grow to five through eight.