CSU, Chico News

It’s predicted that by 2012, businesses will need two million more scientists and engineers. The California Association of MESA Directors will offer a Science and Engineering Research Symposium for 120 California community college Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement students on Nov. 18 and 19 at the Arroyo Room in downtown Chico and on the California State University, Chico campus.

“The purpose of this event is to expose students from all over California to the many career options, experiences and resources available in mathematics and the sciences. We’ll have speakers discussing new careers and sharing their experiences about many of the new career options out there,” said Dr. Derrick Booth, Butte College MESA and B A STAR director. “Community college students are largely untapped, underrepresented and underexposed to opportunities such as this one. This event helps even the playing field for community college students and provides similar research opportunities and industry support that four-year university students receive.”

For community college student Elsa Chavez, 21, of Hamilton City, her dream is to someday receive a degree in mathematics and later become a high school math teacher. Chavez currently attends Butte College and is involved in the MESA program.

Chavez participated in the B A STAR program this past summer. The program helped introduce her to computers, and there she learned to create software programs. One of her projects included developing a new program that predicts the stock market. She also created a poster based on the computer program and presented at a national conference in Denver recently.

“I was the only community college student that participated in my division at the conference,” Chavez said. “There were many big-name universities represented, so I felt glad to have been asked to participate.”

Chavez will present her poster at the Science and Engineering Research Symposium on Saturday, Nov. 19. The symposium will feature speakers, student research, workshops and panel discussions.

“My goal for the program is to make sure that when our students transfer, they are more marketable as well as academically and technically prepared for industry,” said Booth. “This is a very diverse group of students-and they are exactly what the biotech, computer, engineering and software industries are seeking to fill the jobs for tomorrow.”

Butte College alum Jose Madrigal, 30, wants to serve as a model for other MESA students. Madrigal served in the military and used his GI Bill to attend Butte College in 2001. He later transferred to CSU, Chico in 2003.

He will be speaking to MESA students to discuss a career in “mechatronics” engineering-which Madrigal says is a blend between mechanical and electrical engineering and is offered at CSU, Chico.

Madrigal said he hopes the symposium will help the students “get a better idea of where they want to go or what they want to do.”

“It’s a great opportunity for students to learn more about other industries. While at Butte, I knew I was interested in electrical engineering and I decided to set my goals high,” said Madrigal. “I found that the MESA program provided the support and encouragement I needed.”

Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) works with thousands of educationally and economically disadvantaged students so they excel in math and science and graduate with math-based degrees. MESA is nationally recognized for its innovative academic development program.

The symposium is sponsored by Butte College’s B A STAR Program; Washington Mutual; National Science Foundation; CSU, Chico College of Engineering; CSU, Chico College of Natural Sciences; CSU, Chico Enrollment Management Office; and College of the Siskiyous.

###

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 10th, 2005 at 8:30 am and is filed under 2005 Fall.