In February and March 2026, Oregon MESA reached an exciting milestone by hosting five Regional Demo Days across the state for the very first time. These events brought together over 600 students, families, educators, and community members to celebrate youth innovation grounded in community, culture, and connection.
This year’s theme, “Each One, Teach One,”—inspired by an African American proverb—guided students to design with and for their communities. Rather than focusing outward on global systems, students turned inward, partnering with local community members such as elders, neighbors, and culture bearers to co-create solutions rooted in lived experience and local knowledge.
Across all five regions, students demonstrated their technical skills along with incredible empathy, curiosity, and a commitment to strengthening the communities they are part of. Families witnessed students’ talent and participated in hands-on activities like Squishy Circuits, Hoop Gliders, and Sieve-You-Play, creating joyful, intergenerational learning spaces alongside student showcases. Families also shared reflections through interactive feedback activities, offering powerful insight into MESA’s impact. We are deeply grateful to the many families who showed up to support students—this year’s Demo Days reaffirmed how essential family engagement is to building a thriving and inclusive STEM ecosystem.
West Portland Demo Day
We launched the 2026 Demo Day season on Saturday, February 28, at the Multnomah County Albina Library, in a neighborhood rich with cultural and historical significance. Albina has long been a center of Black community, leadership, and artistic innovation in Portland, and students carried forward this legacy through projects rooted in community care and creativity.
Partnering with local organizations such as the Wichita Center for Family and Community, as well as educators in their school districts, students developed solutions addressing real needs, from access to fresh food to community resource navigation. Middle and high school teams presented their projects to a panel of trained judges, while elementary students participated in the Winter Challenge. Keynote speaker Christina White, an experienced pathologist and founder of MSCOPE, inspired attendees with her journey in STEM and her message about representation, curiosity, and possibility. The middle school winning team, Duo 26 from Alder Creek Middle School, developed “Plant Flow,” a covered garden system designed to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables. At the high school level, The Inventors from Roosevelt High School earned first place, determined to continue refining their project for the State competition at MESA Day on May 22, 2026.
Families actively engaged throughout the event, celebrating student success and sharing reflections such as “MESA makes engineering more real” and “provides a challenge…that builds confidence.” Many also expressed interest in volunteering and fundraising, demonstrating strong community investment in the program.
Salem Demo Day
The second Demo Day took place on March 5th in Salem, at the Garmin facilities, connecting students and families directly with industry professionals. Participants toured office spaces, labs, and airplane hangars, gaining a tangible sense of future career pathways in engineering and technology.
Students showcased projects addressing a wide range of community-centered challenges, including culturally responsive learning tools to share Indigenous knowledge, as well as environmental awareness, and solutions supporting dignity and access for underserved populations. The Cornejitos from Waldo Middle School earned first place with their “Loud-o-meter,” a device designed to support classroom management and student accountability. At the high school level, team GTW from Early College High School won first place with an app designed to support students with learning disabilities.
Families enjoyed a shared meal and interactive activities, noting how welcoming and engaging the event felt. One parent shared that their child is now more excited about technology and learning, while others highlighted how MESA has expanded their children’s interests beyond traditional activities. We are grateful to Garmin for hosting and to Oregon Institute of Technology for their partnership in coordinating this impactful event.
East Portland Demo Day
Set against the beautiful natural backdrop of the Mt Hood Community College campus, East Portland Demo Day took place on Saturday, March 7th, bringing together students and families for a day of innovation and connection. Student projects explored environmental impact, ethical technology use, and collaborative learning models, reflecting thoughtful engagement with real-world challenges. Christina White returned as keynote speaker, continuing to inspire students to explore their ideas and see themselves in STEM pathways.
Team K.O.L.D from Parkrose Middle School earned first place for their prototype of a heated poncho designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness. At the high school level, Significant Figures from Reynolds High School won first place with a project focused on raising awareness about the environmental impacts of AI. We are so proud of MESA students and grateful to Mt. Hood Community College for hosting and supporting this vibrant and successful event.
Klamath Falls Demo Day
On Tuesday, March 10 students and families in the Klamath Falls region gathered at the Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls Campus for our fourth Demo Day of the year. After enjoying a tour of the OIT campus, exploring the labs, classrooms, and community spaces, students showcased their prototypes and engaged with community members. The event highlighted the importance of expanding access to STEM opportunities in rural communities, showcasing the creativity and innovation of students in the region. Team Dungeons and Nerds from Ponderosa Middle School and team Organic Mechanics from Klamath Union High School earned first place in their respective divisions, impressing judges with thoughtful, community- and environment-centered solutions. Though smaller in size, the event had a meaningful impact, reinforcing the importance of accessible STEM education in rural areas.
Lane County Demo Day
Our final Demo Day took place in partnership with Connected Lane County at Spark at Booth-Kelly on Friday, March 13. Our collaboration with CLC continues to reflect our shared commitment to creating equitable opportunities and career-connected learning experiences for underrepresented youth and we are so grateful for their support and work in coordinating the event. Lane County students presented projects that emphasized collaboration, creativity, and community impact, closing out the regional competition season on a high note with winning teams DPTRB from Hamlin Middle School and Team BK from the MESA invention club by Spark at Connected Lane County. At the event, families shared how MESA has strengthened their children’s problem-solving skills and confidence, with one noting “increased capacity for trial-and-error thinking” and others describing MESA as “a space for connection, collaboration, and leadership.” Many also emphasized the value of access to hands-on learning opportunities not otherwise available at home.
Looking Ahead
We are so happy for the success of MESA’s 2026 Regional Demo Days. The events showcased the power of community-centered innovation, and through “Each One, Teach One,” students reminded us that meaningful solutions begin with listening to our communities, our histories, and each other.
We are deeply grateful to our partners, educators, families, and students who made this year’s events possible. As we look ahead to MESA Day 2026, we carry forward the creativity, connection, and brilliance that defined this year’s regional events.