The Maritime Engineering and Environmental Studies Academy (MEESA) is a College Partnership Laboratory School between Newport News Public Schools and Old Dominion University. MEESA provides students with interdisciplinary, project-based learning experiences connecting maritime engineering, applied physics, global logistics, emerging technologies, sustainability, and the region’s maritime workforce.
MEESA is a two-year, half-day program for students in grades 11 and 12. Students remain enrolled in their home high school while completing the MEESA program as part of their regular high school schedule. Students interested in MEESA are encouraged to incorporate the program into their Academic and Career Plan early in their high school planning.
Areas of Study
- Maritime Engineering and Emerging Technologies
- Engineering Design, Prototyping, and Applied Technology
- Applied Physics and Principles of Technology
- Global Logistics and Enterprise Systems
- Sustainability and Maritime/Coastal Systems
Students learn through authentic projects and industry-connected experiences that integrate academic content with engineering design, problem solving, collaboration, communication, and workplace skills.
College and Career Preparation
MEESA students have opportunities to:
- Earn high school credits through an integrated sequence of engineering, applied physics, and global logistics coursework
- Earn credits through Old Dominion University
- Earn industry-recognized credentials
- Work with maritime, engineering, logistics, sustainability, and technology professionals
- Use industry-standard tools and emerging technologies
- Participate in work-based learning, mentorship, and senior capstone experiences
Program Structure
Students attend MEESA for a portion of the school day and complete their remaining graduation requirements through their home high school. Because MEESA coursework becomes part of the student's high school schedule, students interested in the program should work with their school counselor to incorporate the MEESA pathway into their Academic and Career Plan.
Eligibility and Enrollment
MEESA is open to students who demonstrate the desire and ability to participate in the program. Each MEESA cohort is limited to 50 students. When the number of eligible applicants exceeds available seats, enrollment is determined through a lottery process in accordance with Virginia requirements for College Partnership Laboratory Schools. Students interested in MEESA must complete the application process and should work with their school counselor to determine how the two-year MEESA program fits within their graduation plan.
MEESA Course Sequence
MEESA students complete an integrated two-year sequence of engineering, applied physics, and global logistics coursework. Courses are taught through a maritime lens using interdisciplinary projects, industry-connected challenges, emerging technologies, and applications drawn from the maritime and coastal environment.
Year 1 — Grade 11
Maritime Engineering Explorations I
Maritime Engineering Explorations introduces students to engineering fields, careers, and the engineering design process through authentic challenges drawn from the maritime industry. Students apply mathematical and scientific concepts as they design, model, build, test, and refine solutions related to vessels, maritime systems, ports, coastal infrastructure, sustainability, and emerging technologies. Hands-on projects emphasize engineering design, systems thinking, technical communication, collaboration, and the use of industry-relevant tools and technologies.
Principles of Technology I
Principles of Technology I is a laboratory-based course in which students apply physics and mathematics concepts to technological and engineering systems. Students investigate force, work, rate, resistance, energy, power, and force transformers through experimentation, problem solving, and project-based applications involving mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal systems. Within MEESA, these principles are applied to maritime engineering challenges and technologies, allowing students to explore the physics underlying vessels, marine systems, equipment, and maritime operations.
Global Logistics and Enterprise Systems I
Global Logistics and Enterprise Systems I introduces students to the movement of goods, information, and resources through interconnected supply chains, with particular emphasis on maritime commerce and the role of ports in the global economy. Students explore maritime transportation, port operations, procurement, inventory, warehousing, distribution, and enterprise systems through authentic industry challenges. Project-based experiences develop systems thinking, data-informed decision making, technology skills, professional communication, and an understanding of Hampton Roads' role within regional and global supply chains.
Year 2 — Grade 12
Maritime Engineering Analysis and Applications II
Maritime Engineering Analysis and Applications builds upon Maritime Engineering Explorations as students analyze increasingly complex systems and apply the engineering design process to authentic maritime challenges. Students use modeling, prototyping, testing, data analysis, and systems integration to investigate problems related to vessels, maritime technologies, coastal infrastructure, sustainability, and emerging systems. Students also examine the relationships among engineering, technology, society, and ethical decision making. Industry-connected projects, technical communication, mentorship, work-based learning, and capstone experiences connect engineering learning to postsecondary study and maritime workforce pathways.
Principles of Technology II
Principles of Technology II continues the laboratory-based application of physics and mathematics to technological and engineering systems. Students investigate momentum, waves, energy converters, transducers, radiation, optical systems, and time constants through experimentation, quantitative analysis, problem solving, and project-based applications. Within MEESA, students apply these principles to maritime engineering, sensing, automation, energy, communications, and other emerging technologies used within modern maritime systems.
Global Logistics and Enterprise Systems II
Global Logistics and Enterprise Systems II extends students' understanding of supply chain and enterprise systems through advanced applications of logistics, technology, data, and decision making. With an emphasis on maritime supply chains, students examine complex challenges involving procurement, transportation, port and terminal operations, inventory, distribution, enterprise technologies, and operational resilience. Industry-connected projects and work-based learning experiences emphasize systems optimization, professional communication, problem solving, and preparation for postsecondary study and careers in maritime logistics and supply chain management.
Physics Laboratory Science Credit
Students who successfully complete Principles of Technology I and Principles of Technology II in sequence satisfy one standard unit of laboratory science credit in physics and one elective credit. Students completing the sequence for physics credit must have completed Algebra I and two other laboratory science courses prior to enrolling in Principles of Technology I. There are no SOL assessments associated with the Principles of Technology I and II sequence.