MESA Schools Program

The MESA Schools Program teaches STEM, invention, and 21st-century skills to historically underrepresented middle and high school students in grades 5th-12th. We overcome barriers to access by providing our program at no cost, offering it at the schools where our students are enrolled, and engaging parents directly in the success of their child.

Oregon MESA focuses on advancing equity in STEM through the three pillars of our MESA Schools Program:

STUDENTS:

Oregon MESA provides students the opportunity to find success. Our leading-edge invention education program provides a confidence-building curriculum for historically underrepresented students and improves student grades and graduation rates. Throughout the school year, students meet during weekly, one-hour chapter meetings. Our Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned curriculum teaches a range of applicable skills that starts with problem identification, idea generation, physical prototyping, iterative problem solving, cooperative achievement, and public speaking.

EDUCATORS:

Oregon MESA equips educators with cutting-edge curriculum for invention education, and creates innovators in and out of the classroom. Educators gain valuable skills and support in providing equity-based STEM instruction in a fun, hands-on, collaborative setting. MESA offers teachers (1) Valuable practice implementing facilitated learning with diverse, underserved students that focuses on student-led learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking, (2) Training opportunities that support individual teacher growth, provide access to hands-on curriculum, and offer strategies to incorporate engineering-focused opportunities within day-to-day practices, and (3) A collaborative cohort of teachers and ongoing learning opportunities that help educators successfully apply instructional material in exciting and inclusive ways that increase peer support and cooperation.

ECOSYSTEM:

Oregon MESA creates an ecosystem of hundreds of students, teachers, families, companies, and volunteers, all focused on improving the diversity of the tech-based workforce and helping underrepresented students excel in math, engineering, and science. Businesses and volunteers provide mentorship and education to students who will make up the diverse and talented workforce of the future. Family engagement programs extend the reach of MESA into the home. Regional centers increase access to community resources.

MESA Regional Centers

Oregon MESA is grateful to partner with Regional Centers to recruit and manage school partnerships, coordinate local events, and support teachers and families. Our Oregon MESA Regional Centers are:

MESA Schools Program

STUDENTS:

EDUCATORS:

ECOSYSTEM:

MESA Regional Centers

MESA Schools Program Information

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