About MESA

MESA History:

“Where are your qualified, technically trained minority graduates?” This is the question that several recruiters from three different oil companies asked a petroleum engineering professor at UC Berkeley in the late 1960's. His response was, “I don't know, but I'll try to find out.” This professor discovered that less than 1 percent of the engineering graduates came from underrepresented minority groups, and he immediately took action. This one question birthed what is now known as MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement). MESA's roots were founded through a collaborative effort between this petroleum engineering professor, and an Oakland high school mathematics teacher. MESA originally focused on educationally under-served African American, Latino/a, and Native American students in California, and has grown substantially over the years. In the early 1980's, California MESA became the model for similar programs replicated in seven other states - Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Washington MESA was formerly established in 1982, but was built on earlier elements, some of which were in place in 1972. These elements include teacher seminars, curriculum project development, and faculty links with secondary schools. The Washington MESA currently serves over 5,000 students at six MESA sites throughout Washington State; each site is housed at an academic institution of higher learning.

SW Washington MESA was founded in 2004 through a collaborative partnership between Washington State University Vancouver, Clark College, the Evergreen, Vancouver and Hockinson School Districts, ESD 112, the Science and Mathematics Education Resource Center (SMERC), the Partnership for Reform in Secondary Science and Mathematics (PRISSM), and Hewlett Packard. SW Washington MESA began as a middle school program, and has now expanded to include high schools. SW Washington MESA now serves 200 students within the Evergreen, Vancouver and Hockinson school districts.

SW Washington MESA Vision:

Underrepresented students in Washington State will achieve their full potential and contribute in the fields of mathematics, engineering, and science.

SW Washington MESA Mission :

Our mission is to provide a pathway to college and careers in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields for students who are currently underrepresented in those fields: African American, Latino/a, Native American and females. We will provide enriching educational opportunities in mathematics, engineering and science for underrepresented students in middle school and high school using exemplary materials and instructional approaches. We will be a catalyst and model for educational excellence and equity. We will accomplish this through a partnership of higher education, school districts, industry and business, government, community organizations, families, and alumni.

Program highlights include these educational best practices:

•  Teachers with high expectations for their students teaching math and science in new and exciting ways that are aligned with Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs).

•  Programs to inform and empower parents so they can help keep their children on track for college and careers in math and science based fields.

•  Relevant field trips, including middle and high school visits to college campuses, critical for first generation college students.

•  Partnerships with industry and higher education that bring students face-to-face with scientists and engineers.

•  Award-winning, hands-on math and science curriculum and activities targeted to schools with the highest numbers of underrepresented minority students.

What We Do:

Southwest Washington MESA serves students through a variety of services including:

•  After school hands-on math and science enrichment

•  Tutoring

•  Field trips and speakers

•  Regional events

•  Teacher professional development

•  Family engagement

Results

•  97% of Washington MESA high school seniors go on to college.

•  58% of Washington MESA seniors complete four years of math and science, the strongest predictors of college success. (Statewide, only 33% of seniors do.)

•  Per capita, Washington MESA high school graduates choose STEM field college majors at a higher rate than all high school students nationally.