On May 22, 2026 more than 500 students, educators, mentors, volunteers, industry professionals, and community members from all over Oregon gathered at Portland State University for Oregon MESA Day 2026, our statewide celebration of invention, engineering, community, and student achievement.
This year’s theme, Each One, Teach One, invited students to look close to home for inspiration. Rooted in traditions of collective learning and intergenerational knowledge-sharing, the theme centered on community, connection, identity, and human-centered engineering. Throughout the school year, students partnered with real clients located within one mile of their school or home and used the MESA engineering design process to create solutions that strengthen the communities they know best.
The result was a remarkable showcase of student innovation, creativity, and care for the people around them.
A Journey to Portland
For students traveling from Klamath Falls, MESA Day 2026 began the day before with a Portland adventure and an overnight stay in the city. From exploring OMSI to sharing dinner on the waterfront, students spent time discovering Portland, connecting with one
another, and experiencing new opportunities before the big day. For many, it was their first time visiting Portland or staying in a hotel, experiences that can make future possibilities feel a little more real. Most importantly, it was a chance for students to see that they belong in these spaces and that opportunities in STEM, higher education, and beyond are within their reach.
A Morning Full of Innovation
The MESA Day excitement started early on Friday, May 22nd as students from MESA chapters all over the state filled Portland State University’s campus for a day of competition, creativity, and connection.
The morning kicked off with the Student Project Gallery, where teams presented projects developed for the 2025-2026 Engineering and Design Competition. Inspired by this year’s theme, Each One, Teach One, students partnered with local clients and spent months researching, prototyping, testing, and refining solutions to challenges facing their communities. From cultural preservation and community wellness to food access and environmental sustainability, students demonstrated how engineering can be a powerful tool for strengthening the places we call home. Students shared their ideas with each other and celebrated a year of hard work.
Throughout the morning, the PSU campus transformed into a giant STEM playground. Students raced robot cars with PSU’s Agile & Adaptive Robotics Lab, built solar-powered bugs with Portland General Electric, explored space physics and rover engineering with OMSI, and interacted with a trivia-playing robot from Oregon State University Robotics. They tested boats in the Sink or Swim challenge, discovered how seal whiskers inspire more efficient engineering designs in a miniature wind tunnel, experimented with historic technology alongside vintageTEK, and got an up-close look at a student-built race car from Viking Motorsports. Every activity offered students a chance to explore new ideas, meet STEM professionals, and experience engineering in action.
Teams also competed in this year’s MESA Spring Challenge, Stay Fly. Students designed and tested rubber band-launched flying devices, using engineering principles and plenty of iteration to achieve the longest and most consistent flights possible. The challenge felt like an engineering sporting event, with volunteers outfitted in hard hats, safety vests, and protective glasses as they measured flights and helped keep the competition running smoothly. From carefully tuned gliders to creative flying machines, students showcased persistence, problem-solving, and ingenuity with every launch. The field was filled with excitement as students watched their inventions take flight and cheered one another on through every attempt.
When lunchtime arrived, students spread out across the PSU Park Blocks, enjoying the sunshine, playing hacky sack, sharing lunch with friends, and celebrating the culmination of another incredible year of MESA.
MESA Day Fly High Executive Luncheon
While students explored competitions and activities across campus, Oregon MESA also welcomed nearly 40 leaders from education, industry, philanthropy, and government for the MESA Day Fly High Executive Luncheon.
This special event offered guests an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at MESA Day, a celebration that is typically closed to the public. Guided by Oregon MESA board members and staff, attendees toured the event floor, met students, observed competitions, and experienced firsthand the creativity, talent, and determination that define the MESA community.
Following the tour, guests gathered in the Smith Memorial Student Union for lunch, networking, and a powerful conversation featuring Oregon MESA alumni Anne and Abu. Facilitated by longtime MESA teacher and board member Michelle York, the discussion highlighted the lasting impact of invention education, mentorship, and belonging.
Abu, now studying bioengineering at Rice University, reflected on joining MESA as a sixth grader and how the program helped him discover opportunities in engineering, biomedical research, and leadership. He shared how experiences such as internships, networking events, and competing at the National Engineering and Design Competition shaped his path and helped him envision a future in STEM.
Anne, who recently completed her first year studying mechanical engineering at Yale University, spoke about finding confidence through MESA. A self-described shy student, she shared how the program encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone, develop professional skills, and pursue opportunities she never imagined for herself. Through projects, mentorship, and a supportive community, she discovered not only a passion for engineering but also a belief that she belonged in spaces she once thought were out of reach.
Together, their stories served as a powerful reminder that MESA is about opening doors, building confidence, and helping students discover what is possible.
Celebrating Excellence
As the afternoon continued, students, families, advisors, mentors, volunteers, and supporters gathered inside Viking Pavilion to celebrate a year of hard work, creativity, and achievement. The awards ceremony recognized outstanding students, educators, mentors, and competition teams from across Oregon.
- Melanie Ramsey Advisor of the Year Award: Megan Brown, Hamlin Middle School. Megan Brown demonstrated extraordinary dedication to her students throughout a challenging year. Despite significant obstacles, she remained committed to supporting her chapter and creating opportunities for students to learn, grow, and succeed.
- Dorothy and Jerome Lemelson Elementary Student of the Year: Graham, Woodlawn Elementary School. Recognized for consistently arriving prepared, focused, and eager to learn, Graham embodies the curiosity and determination that define MESA students.
- Dorothy and Jerome Lemelson Middle School Student of the Year: Adriana, Roseway Heights Middle School. Adriana was honored for her willingness to take on challenges, support her peers, and continuously push herself to grow.
- Dorothy and Jerome Lemelson High School Student of the Year: Luis, McKay High School. A veteran MESA student and leader, Luis was recognized for his dedication, mentorship, and commitment to helping his chapter succeed.
- Mentor of the Year: Kyra Morris, mentor at McKay High School. Kyra was celebrated for her positive energy, technical expertise, and unwavering support of students throughout the year.
Spring Challenge Winners
Students were also recognized for their performances in this year’s Stay Fly Spring Challenge, where teams designed and tested rubber band-launched flying devices.
Elementary School Division
- 🥇 Lewelling Elementary School – The Pickle Pals
- 🥈 Lewelling Elementary School – Pink Dolphins
- 🥉 Lewelling Elementary School – The Purple Gorillas
Middle School Division
- 🥇 Ponderosa Middle School – The Pels
- 🥈 Ponderosa Middle School – Dungeons and Nerds 2
- 🥉 Ockley Green Middle School – Ooga Boogas
High School Division
- 🥇 McKay High School
- 🥈 Early College High School
- 🥉 McDaniel High School
State Champions Advance to Nationals
The final awards of the day recognized the top teams in Oregon’s 2025-2026 Each One Teach One State Engineering & Design Competition. These students spent the year partnering with local clients, identifying community challenges, and developing innovative solutions inspired by this year’s Each One, Teach One theme. The first-place teams will go on to represent Oregon at the MESA USA National Engineering and Design Competition in Baltimore.
Read our companion blog post to learn more about the state champions and their incredible inventions.
Middle School Division
- 🥇 Parkrose Middle School – Team K.O.L.D.
- 🥈 Parkrose Middle School – Team Glory-ous Girl
- 🥉 ACMS – Team MAÆ
High School Division
- 🥇 Early College High School – GTW
- 🥈 Liberty High School – EcoStep
- 🥉 Connected Lane County Springfield – Rhythm Ribbons
Afternoon Adventures
The afternoon continued with Oregon MESA’s College & Career Fair, where students connected with colleges, universities, employers, and community partners. Representatives from Portland State University, Oregon State University, University of Oregon, Reed College, University of Portland, Pacific University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Portland Community College, Western Oregon University, Washington State University, and The Evergreen State College shared pathways into higher education.
Industry and community partners including Panic Inc., SHPE Oregon, MECOP, the City of Portland, Rip City Remix, Evolve Agency, and STEAM with Sasheen, where students worked with Sasheen from Sasheen’s Vault to explore the art side of STEM through a collaborative artwork.
Students also took part in resume reviews, mock interviews, and other career readiness activities designed to support their next steps. Many wrapped up the afternoon with guided tours of Portland State University led by current PSU students, offering a closer look at campus life from classrooms and labs to gardens and creative spaces.
A smaller celebration also took place recognizing Oregon MESA’s 41 graduating seniors, honoring their journeys and the next steps they are taking into college, careers, and beyond.
Looking Ahead: Engineering Humanity
As the day came to a close, excitement was already building for next year’s theme: Engineering Humanity. This theme invites students to design technology not just for efficiency, but for empathy, connection, and human well-being. In a rapidly changing world shaped by digital systems and artificial intelligence, students will explore how engineering can strengthen relationships and support more connected communities.
We can’t wait to see what they build next!
Thank You
MESA Day would not be possible without the incredible support of our community. A heartfelt thank you to more than 50 volunteers, including MESA alumni, STEM professionals, longtime supporters, and first-time volunteers, who dedicated their time and energy to creating an unforgettable experience for students.
We are also deeply grateful to our sponsors for investing in the next generation of inventors, engineers, scientists, and change-makers. A special thank you to our Premier Sponsor, The Lemelson Foundation, whose long-standing commitment to invention education continues to open doors for students across Oregon and strengthens the systems that allow young innovators to thrive. Their support helps ensure that students not only imagine bold solutions, but also have the resources and encouragement to bring them to life.
We also thank our Innovation Pathway Sponsors, OMSI, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Port of Portland, Portland General Electric, and Tygh Valley Computer and Cattle Co., along with Invention Sponsor Cascade Energy. Appreciation also goes to our Inspiration Sponsors IMEG, City of Portland, Roger That Agency, and vintageTEK, and to Builder Sponsor MECOP for their continued partnership and belief in Oregon students.
Thank you for believing in Oregon’s students and helping create opportunities for them to learn, invent, and lead. See you at MESA Day 2027!