1. Meet with the MESA/STEM counselor at least once per semester.
   • MESA members must have a Student Educational Plan (SEP) on file that is complete through the date of transfer

      

2. Attend and participate in weekly Academic Excellence Workshops (AEWs) as applicable
   • See the AEW section on this website for a current schedule

      

3. Participate in the MESA Peer Mentoring program at least once per semester

    

4. Attend at least two MESA events. For example, we offer:
   • MESA guest speakers 
   • Transfer prep workshops
   • Workshops on how to find research and internship opportunities
   • MESA seminars on various topics
   • Growth Mindset workshops
   • MESA field trips (more field trips will happen post-pandemic)
   • See the Events section on this website for a current schedule

      

5. You will be enrolled in MESA on Canvas. The MESA Canvas site has additional resources for MESA students and you'll be able to track your participation in Canvas. 

• Academic and career counseling throughout the year

• Education planning for transfer to a four-year institution

• Development of fundamental skills in core science, engineering, and math courses

• Academic Excellence Workshops (AEWs)

• Individual and group mentoring

• Access to workshops, guest speakers, study sessions, and field trips designed to prepare students for careers in science, engineering, and mathematics

• Receive transfer preparation and scholarship application support

• Develop professional relationships with professors and peers

• Learn how to find and apply to summer research and internship opportunities

• Enrollment in at least intermediate algebra

• Declare a transfer major in a math, engineering, or science-based field - some majors that are considered "STEM majors" are mathematics, engineering, computer science, computer engineering, physics, astrophysics, pre-medical, botany, biology, zoology, earth sciences, geology, environmental science, and chemistry

• Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or above

• Proof of financial need

• Educationally under-served

If you meet the requirements or are very close to meeting them, please fill out an interest form. The STEM-MESA Director will get back to you within a week with the next steps.  

Each new STEM-MESA member must complete the STEM-MESA Orientation session. Several orientations will be held each semester.

The ALEKS lab provides a lot of insight help, especially with one-on-one tutoring and strenghting your skills. Find out how you can enroll in Math 601 (non-credit course). The course highlights mathematical properties, fundamental operations of whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, word problems, and percentages. Topics include: exponential notation, linear equations, variables, polynomials, and the appropriate operation rules for rational numbers, whole numbers and integers.

For further details, please contact STEM Counselor, Dr. Abena Weber: aweber@valleycollege.edu

Named for George F. Beattie, a long time SBVC math and astronomy professor, the Planetarium opened in Fall 1977. In addition to being used as a teaching facility, public shows are generally held twice a month on Friday evenings. The Planetarium also provides programs during the day for local school groups by appointment.


PLANETARIUM SHOWS SPRING 2025

Friday, February 7 -- Mars, the Red Planet
Friday, February 21 -- Jupiter and the Galilean Moons
Friday, March 14 -- Pi Night
Friday, March 28 -- Space Race 2.0 US vs China
Friday, April 11 -- Commercial Spaceflight
Friday, April 25 -- JPL Missions: Dragonfly and Juno
Friday, May 9 -- Saturn and Its Moons


Learn More About the Planetarium