2023 MSEN Day
Each year, students from across the state compete in academic and STEM-based activities as part of the North Carolina Mathematics and Science Education Network Pre-College Program (MSEN). MSEN is a STEM enrichment program that recruits students from underserved populations in grades 6 through 12 and provides them with experiences that will equip them to attend a four-year college to pursue majors in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
On April 22, 123 students from all four NC-MSEN Pre-College Programs across the state competed at MSEN Day, a day of competitive events ranging from academic math and science competitions to hands-on STEM activities such as water bottle rockets, a parachute egg drop, an oratorical contest and a quiz bowl. The event was held at NC State University this year but usually rotates between participating UNC system universities–Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Winston-Salem State University. This was the first time this event has been held in person in a few years.
“The MSEN Day event is such an amazing event,” said Braska Williams, director of the Friday Institute’s NC MSEN Pre-College Program. “I love to see a STEM event where you see so many students of color! These are future scientists, computer software developers, engineers and research scholars.”
The NC State chapter of MSEN partners with school districts and schools in northeastern and central North Carolina.
NC State College of Education students served as guides throughout the day for students. 
MSEN students visited the NC State-UNC biomedical engineering department’s Hands-on Expo as part of MSEN Day. 
One activity featured NC State food science students sharing how to prepare cricket tacos as part of a departmental tour. 
Students learned about the majors and careers in the food science program as well as how other non-traditional foods are eaten in other cultures, which could help with the issue of a lack of food sources around the world. 
Winners from NC State show off their awards. 
In the end, the NC State chapter had students who took first place in the oratorical contest and won the overall team trophy.
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