Washington MESA Day, a one-day event of academic challenges for middle and high school students representing six MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) Centers from across the state, will be held Sat., May 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond, Wash.
Fostering collaboration with the state’s rich community of scientists and engineers, MESA Day students will showcase their talents for future careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Sponsored by Microsoft, the event will feature regional MESA team winners competing in three core challenges highlighted by a wind energy challenge (WEC) during which students will work with teachers and mentors to construct a windmill to generate electricity. The WEC winner will go on to compete in the national MESA competition hosted by Washington MESA at the Boeing Renton Plant, June 22-25.
Washington MESA, which is a part of the University of Washington’s Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, builds a pathway to college and careers in STEM for students who are underrepresented in these fields including African American, Native American, Latino/a and female students.
“MESA Day is the culmination of the rigorous academic work and hands-on learning instruction that our MESA students have been involved with all year,” Washington MESA Director James Dorsey said. “It is a powerful event that extends beyond the participating students. Their classmates, teachers, school administrators, communities and parents often express pride and ownership in the science projects developed and demonstrated by the participating students. The impact of MESA reaches far beyond the project-based experience. Future generations of MESA students find science and engineering inspirational, relevant and accessible. “
Several MESA teams from across the state have earned the opportunity to compete in the event. Ingraham High School and Jane Adams Middle School have advanced from the Seattle MESA Day competition. Shadle Park High School and Shaw Middle School will represent Spokane MESA, while McLoughlin Middle School and Mountain View High School have advanced from the Southwest Washington/Vancouver MESA region.
Tacoma MESA will be represented by Washington High School and Keithley Middle School. Also competing will be White Swan High School and Mt. Adams Middle School from Yakama Valley First Nations East/Toppenish region, as well as Pasco High School, Stevens Middle School, and Harrison Middle School from Tri-Cities MESA.
For more information about Washington MESA Day, contact Phyllis Harvey-Buschel, Washington MESA Curriculum Director, at pgharvey@u.washington.edu or 206-897-1714.