The MESA Brochure
Dowload the printable brochure or read on...
The MESA Vision
To support the national science and mathematics educational agenda by ensuring that MESA students develop a high level of literacy in mathematics and science so they can play a leading role within an increasingly technology-based world.
Program Objectives
- To increase the number of underserved ethnic minority and female students who pursue coursework, advanced study and possible careers in mathematics, engineering, and science areas.
- To provide a program and activities designed to motivate underserved ethnic minority and female students to take better advantage of all existing educational opportunities.
- To facilitate an increase in high school graduation rates of MESA-involved students.
- To strengthen the confidence of underserved ethnic minority and female students relating to their success in the mathematics and science courses, and to provide them with skills and opportunities to become successful role models for other students.
- To provide underserved ethnic minority and female students the opportunity to relate and associate with successful role models.
- To coordinate the efforts of public schools, college and universities, the Utah State Office of Education, industries, professional and community groups and others in the development and maintenance of academic support programs to increase the participation of underserved ethnic minority and female students in academic and career pursuits of mathematics and science.
- To provide more information about MESA opportunities and participation criteria to parents of minority students and to actively involve minority students’ parents in school activities and programs.
The MESA Program
MESA is the pre-college component of the MESA/STEP Consortium, a nonprofit organization comprised of higher education institutions, businesses/industries, public school districts, government agencies, and community organizations. The program acts as a pipeline with pre-college and college components. STEP (Science Technology, Engineering Program) is the college component.
MESA is a statewide public education program that works with targeted students in grades 7-12 who are interested and have the potential to succeed in math, science and technology-related studies.
MESA is administrated by the Utah State Office of Education, which provides funds to participating school districts and charter schools. Each district develops an individual program that is focused on students’ academic needs and has an explicit tie to the school day. This tie could be MESA classes, study periods, involvement of qualified mathematics and science teachers in after-school activities, etc. The program includes academic counseling, tutoring, and motivational activities, as well as frequent interaction with ethnic minority, female, and technology career role models.
Services and activities for MESA students are targeted for those who need academic support and those who currently achieve at high levels and need additional opportunities. A School MESA Team comprised of school and community members with appropriate interest and qualifications carry out services and activities. The School MESA Team selects teaching strategies and activities designed to meet the specific needs of targeted students. The School MESA Team includes science, mathematics, and English teachers as well as counselors, parents, community members, and industry volunteers.
For the 2007-2008 School Year The following district/schools are actively engaged in a dynamic MESA Program: Academy for Math, Engineering, and Science (AMES), Cache, Carbon, City Academy, DaVinci Academy of Science and the Arts, Davis, Granite, Jordan, Logan, Murray, Ogden, Provo, Salt Lake City, San Juan, Tooele, and Weber. Higher education institutions currently engaged in this work are Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah, and Weber State University.
Utah MESA is administered by the Utah State Office of Education and is funded by the state legislature and industry contributions.
The Utah MESA/STEP Consortium enjoys a strong partnership with industry, which recognizes the program’s ability to produce technical professionals needed by companies to maintain their competitive advantage. MESA students have benefited from the $513 million dollars donated by these corporations for scholarships. The following corporations are members of the MESA/STEP Consortium: ATK Launch Systems; Bard Access Systems, Inc.; Cephalon, Inc.; Evans and Sutherland, Hexcel; Hill Air Force Base; IMF Technology, Inc.; Intermountain HealthCare; L-3 Communications; Micron Foundation, Moog, Northrop Grumman SMS, Salt Lake Operations; SHRM, Schneider Electric (Square D Company); State Science Advisor's Office; UHEAA, Varian Medical Systems; Watson Pharmaceuticals; Zevex International, Inc.
About MESA USA
Utah MESA is a member of MESA USA, a partnership of MESA programs from several states. The programs are based on a common academic enrichment model to support students so they excel in math and science. MESA USA serves as an arena for the programs to share best practices to continually refine and improve the MESA model. The organization also seeks to establish new programs to reach more students who need MESA’s services. Please visit the MESA website at: http://www.mesa.usoe.k12.ut.us/Curr/MESA/default.html.
Utah MESA’s Academic Enrichment Model Includes:
Academic and Career Advising - MESA’s advisors encourage (and track) students taking required courses in math, science, engineering, and related technology to facilitate their entry into college.
Field Trips - Advisors encourage attendance at recommended field trips and outside program activities for MESA student members.
Financial AID Information - STEP Directors and other member college/university personnel in appropriate departments provide options for MESA students to seek and acquire funds to assist in their goals of finishing college in math/science and related areas of study.
Seminars/Workshops/Internships - These activities for MESA students
are provided by participating
university personnel and members of
the MESA/STEP Industry Advisory
Council.
Student Recognition Awards - End-of-year ceremonies provide the vehicle for participating school districts to recognize the accomplishments of their respective outstanding and dedicated students at ceremonies in the presence of their parents, school personnel, peers, and MESA program participants.
Student Scholarships - The MESA/STEP Industry Advisory
Council and other business/industries
in the State of Utah provide annual
scholarships for qualified MESA
graduating seniors and continuing
STEP students in the program.
Mentoring Role Models - From MESA students’ peers to teachers/advisors to interested persons in the community, many are participating in these roles to support MESA/STEP students.
