This is your opportunity to observe the legislative process and your state government in action. A learning experience for all of us, it is also an excellent opportunity for NM MESA to showcase its program. Legislative activities will help NM MESA continue its mission of preparing middle and high school students for college majors and careers in mathematics, engineering and science.
2025 MESA Day at the Legislature:
Students from all NM MESA Regions will be selected to attend our LIVE 2025 MESA Day at the Legislature on January 30, 2025.
SELECTION REQUIREMENTS
- All Regions will be in attendance this year. Attendance is limited by the final lodging and transportation costs for your Region to attend.
- Transportation will be determined regionally and arranged by your Regional Coordinator.
- Students selected must have a current A0 submitted prior to the event.
- Selection will be done by the Regional Coordinator.
- ONLY selected attendees are to attend the Legislative Fieldtrip.
- A Regional waitlist will be created as needed.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
NM MESA understands that there are considerable attendance restrictions with transportation, school times, etc. While, we try to accommodate as best as able, there will be hard requirements for attendance as follows. Schools not able to meet the requirements will not be selected to attend.
- Participate in the required Advocacy Zoom Session: Live attendance on 1/13 @ 3:30 or Watch the Recorded Session. This will prepare you for the requirements of the trip and will highlight a planned daily schedule and current legislation summary.
- Attend the event from 11AM-1PM in addition to completing additional objectives as follows (estimated 2 additional hours).
- 1.) Observation: Committee and/or Gallery
- 2.) Letter Delivery-All attendees must have written letters of support
- 3.) Legislator Visit (at minimum all attempts for scheduling should happen)
- 4.) Legislative Scavenger Hunt
- Be prepared to have student participation in regional tabling and/or Rotunda Presentation.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
- If interested in attending, you must contact your Regional Coordinator as they will be selecting the delegates from their Region.
- On Line Registration will collect all teacher and student information. So please have all information needed to complete registration including student names, etc.
- NOTE:Student Names may be used to create attendance certificates. Last minute replacements will not be provided a certificate, as names have to be submitted ahead of time.
- For any changes/cancellations, please notify Anita Gonzales via email so that all logistics can be properly arranged.
- The registration deadline is January 15. 2025 at 5PM.
TRANSPORTATION
NM MESA will provide transportation as organized regionally. Once all attendees are selected, more information will be given on transportation by your Regional Coordinator.
MEALS & LODGING
Lodging will be provided for students up to (4) per room and advisors up to (2) per room the night of January 29, 2025. A bus driver room will also be provided as required. Lodging will be provided at the: Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Santa Fe. 4048 Cerrillos Road; Santa Fe, NM 87507. (505) 473-4646.
- Any replacement of student(s) will need to be with student(s) of the same gender due to room and lodging assignments.
- Each traveling region (SE, SW, WE) will have a total of up to (8) rooms available to accommodate students, advisor(s), and driver as needed.
Breakfast will be provided by the hotel on the day of the event for schools staying overnight. A pizza lunch will be provided on the day of the event
DRESS CODE
Students are required to abide by the legislative field trip dress code. All attendees are required to dress-up for the legislative session in “professional” dress. This means dress pants for men, and dress pants or appropriate length skirts/dresses for women. Appropriate dress can include khakis, “nice” jeans, uniform style pants, and/or polo shirts. NO short skirts or dresses or sloppy wear. There will be lots of walking and/or standing so please dress appropriately and wear appropriate footwear (heels are not suggested if not used to them). If you are not sure about the dress code, contact your Regional Coordinator.
LETTERS OF SUPPORT (EXTENSION ACTIVITY)
Each student is required to bring 2+ letters of support (your Representative and your Senator) for NM MESA to be delivered to legislative offices on the day of the trip. A sample letter is provided on the event website.
- Please use the Roundhouse address for each legislator. Include their return address on each letter showing they are a constituent
- Include specific information with your letter such as a one-page fact sheet about your program.
- Parents, teachers, administrators, and former MESA students all make good contacts for a letter of support.
- Have students write to all legislators in their district and diversify their letters.
- It is a good idea to call ahead and schedule a meeting time with your legislator(s). If they are able to meet at any time during the day, accommodations can be made to excuse for the meeting.
- Legislators may only be able to meet once during the day, so identify yourself as a NM MESA student/advisor and a group meeting may be more feasible than one-on-one time.
MESA Letters of Support:
If not attending MESA Day at the Legislature,
- (2+) Letters are required per student for credit: (1) to your State Representative and (1) to your State Senator. To receive (1) Workshop Credit (5 Loyalty Points):
- Regional Coordinator can be copied on letters, OR
- Teacher will submit a list verifying completion of students to Regional Coordinator
- Letters should be thoughtful and reflective of your experience and testimonial of the NM MESA Program.
- You can include the 2025 NM MESA Legislative Information as needed or use facts and information from your school program.
- NOTE: If enough letters are written, and/or a request is made from you, a virtual visit may be arranged. If needed, you can contact MESA Staff to help set up any Zoom Sessions.
Virtual Visit to the Roundhouse:
- Where and How to Watch:
- Committee Meeting Attendance:
- Review the Committee Lists and the What’s Happening Page for a schedule of Committee times
- Information collected in link will be: Student Information, Attendance Information, Committee Information, Participating Legislator Information, Information Discussed, Agenda Items, Decisions Made, and Reflection.
- House or Senate Floor Observation
- Review the What’s Happening Page for a schedule of Senate/House convening times. NOTE: Legislators are mostly in Committee Meetings until mid-late in the session.
- Information collected in link will be: Student Information, Attendance Information, Participating Legislator Information, Information Discussed, Agenda Items, Decisions Made, and Reflection.
- Virtual Visit with Legislator-Students/Advisor will Prepare Questions for Visit
- Will need to be individually scheduled by school, Regional Coordinator, or Deputy Director.
- Information collected in link will be: Student Information, Attendance Information, Participating Legislator Information, Information Discussed, Agenda Items, Decisions Made, and Reflection.
