ABOUT MESA

Quick links:    Vision    Mission   History   Governance   Funding   

In MESA, African-American, Native American, Latino and female students prepare for college in mathematics, engineering, and science, beginning in elementary school, and continuing through high school. MESA supports students, teachers, and parents with innovative, hands-on programs and opportunities. With a proven track record of success, MESA is a partnership that brings leaders from higher education and business into the classroom to engage K - 12 students in the careers of the future. MESA is changing the culture and the face of mathematics, engineering, and science.

MESA classes, clubs, after-school programs and summer programs help underrepresented students visualize themselves in college and careers related to mathematics, engineering, and science. Through hands-on math and science activities and field trips, students apply their learning to real-world situations.

MESA services include MESA enriched math and science classes, after school and summer programs, pre-college advising and support, participation in national engineering conferences, local, state and national competitions, internships with local businesses and research centers, role models and mentors, parent workshops and field trips, teacher professional development, and integrated science and math curriculum.

Vision
Underrepresented students in Washington State will achieve their full potential and contribute in the fields of mathematics, engineering, and science.

Mission
Our mission is to provide enriching opportunities in mathematics, engineering and science for underrepresented students in grades K-12 using exemplary materials and instructional approaches. We will be a catalyst and model for educational excellence and equity. We will accomplish this through a partnership of higher education, school districts, industry and business, government, community organizations, families, and alumni.

MESA's efforts are directed toward Washington K-12 students. Through MESA's activities, participating students receive educational enrichment experiences and practical help needed to prepare for university-level studies in a variety of science and technology related fields.

History
The Seattle MESA program began in 1982 with 88 students in four Seattle high schools. Today more than 1,100 students from 29 elementary, middle, and high schools participate in Seattle MESA, and more than 5,000 students participate in MESA programs across the state of Washington.

Governance
Our parent program, Washington MESA, is hosted by the College of Engineering at the University of Washington, and governed by a Board of Directors made up of representatives from industry, higher education, and K - 12 education. The program operates through six centers, each hosted by a local university:

• Seattle MESA - University of Washington
• First Nations MESA - University of Washington
• Spokane MESA - Washington State University Spokane
• Southwest Washington MESA - Washington State University Vancouver
• Tacoma/South Puget Sound MESA - Pacific Lutheran University
• Yakima Valley/Tri-Cities MESA - Washington State University Tri-Cities

Funding
Seattle MESA is funded through a mix of public, private, and community cash and in-kind support. Every dollar donated to Seattle MESA goes directly to our student, parent, and teacher services.

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