VANCOUVER – The Southwest Washington Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement program, hosted by WSU Vancouver, has been awarded a $12,070 grant by the Qwest Foundation to support the MESA Summer Science and Engineering program.
SW Washington MESA is an academic-enrichment program that helps provide a pathway to college and careers in the science, technology, engineering and math fields for middle and high school students.
The fourth annual MESA Summer Science and Engineering program started on Monday, July 12 and will run through the week at WSU Vancouver. Designed for students in grades 7- 12, first priority was given to students who have participated in previous MESA programs.
The MESA Summer Science and Engineering program is designed to draw students into hands-on, real-world activities that create meaningful connections between academic content and practical application. Classes are offered in marine biology, animal physiology, LEGO robotics, Game Maker and medical career exploration. Students are introduced to instructors and mentors from the professional community, have access to cutting-edge equipment and exposed to a higher-education environment. Each class is limited to 10 – 12 students.
Armetta Burney, director of SW Washington MESA, is confident the grant from Qwest will benefit the local community.
“This partnership with Qwest helps MESA continue its mission to provide enriching educational opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and math fields for students in Southwest Washington. We believe the Summer Science and Engineering program fulfills a need in our community and gives students a great opportunity to make connections to real-world applications,” said Burney.
Founded in 2004, SW Washington MESA brings resources into schools that build pathways to careers in engineering and science. MESA targets students who are underrepresented in math- and science-based careers: African American, Latino/a, Native American and female. The program serves students by providing after school, hands-on math and science enrichment, field trips and speakers, local, regional and national events, teacher professional development and family engagement.
The Qwest Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of customers and the communities they serve. The foundation awards grants that generate high-impact and measurable results through community-based programs in the area of pre-K through 12 education.