LA PLATA, Md. (April 20, 2009)—Nine Charles County Public Schools teams placed in the elementary Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) competition held April 16 at North Point High School. Student teams competed in competitions that tests 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 and advances to the state competition.
Teams from the county's 21 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 competition:
Balsa Wood Bridge:
-- Indian Head Elementary School, first place;
-- Arthur Middleton Elementary School, second place; and
-- Craik, third place.
Effective Communications:
-- J.C. Parks Elementary School, first place;
-- Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School, second place; and
-- Craik, third place.
On-Site Mathematics: Slope/Rate of Change:
-- Berry Elementary School, first place;
-- Indian Head, second place; and
-- C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School, third place.
Scratch Banner:
-- Craik, first place;
-- Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School, second place; and
-- Berry, third place.
Theme Park Ride:
-- Craik, first place;
-- Barnhart, second place; and
-- William B. Wade Elementary School, third place.
This is the second year Charles County Public Schools competed as a separate Maryland MESA region, due to growth of participation in the program. This year, teams from all 35 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.
Source: Charles County public school system