MESA Summer Math Institute's winners of the solar oven competition: Jesse Kurtz, Orval Elliott Jr., Paris Arteaga, Angela Green and Hannah Forbes.
for Ukiah Daily Journal
The brand new quad at Mendocino College was filled with students Friday.
Nearly 100 participants from MESA Summer Math Institute gathered to showcase the completion of their solar oven projects and celebrate the conclusion of an intensive mathematics workshop. The students were treated to a luncheon and received awards for their projects, according to Margaret Sanchez, director of the MESA/Learning Center for Mendocino College.
The MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) Program provides math, engineering, computer science and science majors academic help so that they can excel and transfer to a four-year institution in these majors. MESA is supported by industry so students can learn firsthand about career options, scholarships and internships.
For eight days, students immersed themselves in mathematics for six hours. "All the students worked in small groups. The work was divided into problem-solving and content modules. "The Institute helps students with every aspect of their math work, whether it's getting through their calculus or reviewing and refreshing their math to determine their current level. It's a bridge program for incoming freshmen, but students of all ages attended the camp," says Sanchez.
For one hour every day and following the math camp, the students teamed up to design and create their solar ovens. About 17 different versions were displayed in the quad. Students employed a variety of designs to
best reflect and collect the heat, and thermometers gauged the rise in temperatures as the judges reviewed their design and construction."They had to use Mylar, cardboard, duct tape, wire and glue to construct the ovens, and could add any other elements from the school's recycling bin," Sanchez explains.
"Margaret!" called out one hopeful student to Sanchez. "320 degrees!" Students huddled around their ovens in the triple-digit heat, watching the mercury rise as judges discussed their projects.
The ovens were judged and winners selected based upon the top three temperatures. Stephen Ford from the Mendocino County Transportation Department has been a longtime supporter of the MESA program and mentor to many students. Ford acted as one of the judges for the oven competition, with instructor Aaron Ives acting as the second judge.
Ives, Michael Padilla, Susana Ramirez and Angie Dauer - all former members of the MESA program - have gone on to graduate from college and are now returning as instructors to the Mendocino College math department. Leslie Banta, who has been involved with the MESA program, is also a full-time math instructor. "Most of these students attended University of California campuses and received their master's degrees. We're extremely proud of them," Sanchez notes.
The winning oven, with a temperature of 1,000 degrees, was created by students Hannah Forbes, Angela Green, Jose Kurtz, Paris Arteaga and Orval Elliot Jr.
The second-place finishers were Erika Gonzalez-Nunez, Gabe Rodriguez, Turtle and Karen Gonzalez-Recinos. The runners-up in third place were Karina Jimenez, Dorali Chavez, Nancy Acuna, Victor Hernandez, Gabriel Baca and Ana Gonzalez.
MESA meetings are held at the college every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in the MESA center, Room 403. For more information on the MESA program, visit http://www2.mendocino.edu/mesa/ or phone (707) 468-3023.
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