MESA Programs
Before/After School Academic Enrichment Program
Southwest Washington MESA partners with the Evergreen and Vancouver Public Schools, as well as the Hockinson School District to provide after-school academic enrichment programs at selected schools within these districts. Each before/after-school program is led by at least one MESA teacher/advisor that teaches, mentors, and tutors MESA students. In class hands-on activities, field experiences, and classroom guest speakers provide a connection for students that help to bring math and science alive.
Southwest Washington MESA staff works closely with each teacher to select and arrange guest speakers and the right field experiences that will make the connections between the mathematics and science they learn in the classroom and the real-world. For example, this year, students were challenged with designing a wind device. Engineers from Bonneville Power Administration visited several classrooms, and talked with students about Wind Energy. These experts also gave students suggestions on how to improve their device in preparation for the local MESA Day competition. Some students also had the opportunity to visit Bonneville Power where they learned even more about energy, and participated in a hand-on activity.
MESA Day
The mission of MESA Day is to give students the opportunity to showcase their design, problem solving, mathematical and communication skills by participating in various activities on a competitive basis. Not only does MESA Day give students the opportunity to showcase their design, problem solving, mathematical and communication skills, students will also develop their teambuilding skills as they work collaboratively with other students, which is extremely important as they continue to move forward on their educational path, and to promising careers. This year, the pre-built (build ahead of time) competition was the “Wind Energy Challenge”. Students also participated in several on-site activities.
Math and Science Day
Southwest Washington MESA has held Math and Science Day for the past three years. The mission of Math and Science Day is to promote math and science literacy by partnering with local business and community organizations to provide hands-on science exhibits, demonstrations, and lab activities that are innovative, interactive, and engaging for MESA middle school students. This event helps students connect math, engineering and science to their everyday lives, and to expose students to the many career opportunities that are available in these fields.
Participants in the 2009 Math and Science Day included: Washington State University Vancouver-Engineering Department, Clark College-Math Department, City of Vancouver Water Resources Education Center, US Fish and Wildlife Service/Abernathy Technology Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University-Portland Alcohol Research Center, Logitech, RNS-Consulting, Bonneville Power Administration, Hewlett Packard and the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.
Engineering Day
This event is designed for high school students. The mission of this event is to expose high school students to the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Washington State University Vancouver. Students tour the Engineering and Computer Science department, learn about the academic entry requirements, and participate in hands-on labs designed and taught by Washington State University Vancouver graduate students.
Seattle Children’s Science Adventure Lab and Family Night
This event is designed for middle school students. The mission this event is to enrich classroom education by providing students with very relevant experiential learning opportunities, and help develop the scientific and critical thinking skills needed for today’s careers. This is a state of the art mobile and science lab that visits each MESA middle school during the month of February. This mobile lab is provided by Seattle Children’s Hospital. MESA families will also have an opportunity to experience the mobile lab during the MESA Family Science Adventure Lab Night.
Academic Excellence Workshops
These workshops are designed for high school students. Students will learn effective strategies to help them be successful in high school. These workshops will provide students useful information to improve their study, organization and note taking skills.
Summer Science and Engineering Program
The Summer Science and Engineering Program provide quality hands-on STEM summer enrichment and learning opportunities for MESA students, and are designed for middle and high school students. Students spend 1 week at Washington State University Vancouver participating in a high quality summer science and engineering program. Classes are taught by community experts, and classes cover a wide range of subjects including: Marine Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Forensic Science, Medical Careers, Game Maker and Lego Mindstorm.
Summer Math Scholars Program
The SW Washington MESA Ninth Grade Bridge/Summer Math Scholars Program provides rigorous mathematics support and enrichment for incoming ninth grade students. The purpose of this project is to give students a jump start on Algebra 1, and to equip them with the necessary tools to ensure a successful academic transition to high school. A total 20 students entering high school have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Math Scholars program during the first two weeks in August.
Students will be assigned to small work groups and will engage in fun, hands-on math activities in cooperative learning groups geared toward helping to ensure their readiness for Algebra 1. This program will be led by a certified high school math teacher, and both college as well as high school students will serve as tutors and mentors. One tutor/mentor will be assigned to each small work group. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in two field experiences during the two-week program to help students connect math to the real-world. At the end of the program, each student will receive a scientific calculator and other supplies.