[Source: Abra McAndrew, University Communications, University of Arizona] — An Arizona team representing Tucson High School earned first place in the national Mathematics, Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Engineering Design competition which took place in Maryland on June 22-24. The Tucson High team competed in the performance of their design of a modern version of the ancient counterweight trebuchet against designs created by other student teams from around the nation. Teams worked on their designs for the competition throughout the year and then presented their final product at MESA statewide competitions and then at the national competition. Team members were Susma Ghimire, Charles Leathers, Lindsay Liebson and Ernie Somoza who traveled with their teacher Sheila Marquez and their volunteer engineering mentor, Leonard Vance of Raytheon Missile Systems.
Amphitheater Middle School represented Arizona in the middle school division at the National Competition, taking third place in the technical paper and the accuracy task. The Amphitheater Middle School team led by teacher Ron Pierce includes Nikolette Bravo, David Cornejo, Cody Shipley and Trisha Tran. Amphitheater Middle School has sent teams to the national competition for the past three years, placing third in both 2004 and 2005. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]