Advisors
Getting Started
MESA chapters are the programs facilitated by a MESA Advisor within participating schools.Within these chapters, MESA students engage in our STEM focused curriculum and other program components that help guide them towards success in STEM college and career pathways.
Check out the information below on how to get started with your MESA Chapter or to help peak your interest!
Getting Started: MESA Chapter Overview
MESA Chapters include the following:
- One (1) MESA Advisor
- 15-25 MESA students
- One (1) hour afterschool/week
- Two (2) College and Career Visits
- College readiness planning and resources
- Family programming
- Engineering Design Competitions
- MESA Network of Support
If you are interested in starting a chapter at your school, becoming a MESA Advisor, or would like to request more information about the role, feel free to contact us.
Getting Started: The MESA Advisor
MESA Advisors attend various professional development and training opportunities that occur throughout the year. Trainings are offered by both Florida MESA and MESA USA throughout the school year. Current MESA Advisors will be informed about these dates as soon as possible.
Florida MESA Advisors attend the following:
MESA Summer and Winter Institute
Florida MESA hosts a two-day professional development required by all MESA Advisors to attend to start the launch of the new program year. This two-day event takes place in August to provide resources and support for returning and new Advisors to establish successful MESA programs at their schools. During the two-day Summer Institute event, Advisors learn about starting their chapters, recruiting students, updates and implementation of curriculum and annual theme, and MORE! The Winter Institute is a one-day event that takes place in January that supports teachers with coding instruction, requirements and planning for MESA competitions both in and out of state, and MORE! Teachers are provided a stipend for their attendance.
MESA Monthly Meetings
MESA Monthly Meetings are hosted once a month for an hour and serve as a MESA Advisor check in for program features and forms, resources, updates, feedback, industry partnerships/connections, and instructional/pedagogical trainings. These monthly meetings are required for all MESA Advisors to attend as part of their role.
MESA USA Winter and Summer Convening
MESA USA staff hosts these convenings virtually each year and provides the opportunity for Advisors to network, collaborate, and learn from other MESA state Advisors. This is also a great opportunity to learn more about all of the great and exciting things happening in MESA nationally, important information about MESA USA curriculum and instructional materials, and the criteria for the National Engineering Design Competition (NEDC). These dates will be communicated with all current Florida MESA Advisors to allow time for registration and scheduling.