This event is for NM MESA Participation in the general STEM Day Activities. (1) School per region is selected to attend. Only those selected are to register. NOTE: This is a different event and day from our NM MESA Day at the Legislature.
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.
2026 MESA Day at the Legislature:
Students from all NM MESA Regions will be selected to attend on February 18, 2026
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.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
- If selected to attend, please email your Regional Coordinator and copy Anita Gonzales, anita@nmmesa.org with:
- School Name and Region
- Student Names and Chaperone/Advisor Names
- Advisor Contact Information, Email and Phone
- Do you need lodging? For students, chaperones, and/or a bus driver?
- B4 Transportation Request (Your RC may assist with this)
- The registration deadline is January 23. 2026 at 5PM.
MEALS & LODGING
Lodging will be provided for students up to (4) per room and advisors up to (2) per room the night of February 17, 2026. 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. 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.
