CONTACT:
- Mart Perkins, SW Washington MESA, 360/992-6091, perkinsm@vancouver.wsu.edu
- Sheri Byrd, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360/546-9602, byrds@vancouver.wsu.edu
VANCOUVER, Wash. - Southwest Washington Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement will host its fourth annual MESA Day event, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22 at Clark College.
More than 140 middle school students from three school districts will have the opportunity to showcase design, problem solving, mathematical and communication skills on a competitive basis. Schools will compete in the pre-built trebuchet competition and a math olympiad. Students from separate schools will work in collaborative on-site design teams to take on integrated engineering challenges. Parents and family members are invited to attend the events of the day, including a parent seminar, "College Readiness 101." An awards ceremony will complete the event.
MESA brings resources into schools to help close the academic achievement gap and build a pathway to careers in engineering and science for students who are underrepresented minorities in these fields—African American, Latino, Native American, and girls. Southwest Washington MESA is housed at Washington State University Vancouver and serves students from Jason Lee, McLoughlin, Cascade, Pacific, Canyon Creek, and Jemtegaard middle schools. In addition to Evergreen, Vancouver, and Washougal School Districts, Southwest Washington MESA partners include 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø, Clark College and Hewlett Packard.
"Our students always eagerly look forward to this capstone event," said Mart Perkins, Director of Southwest Washington MESA.
Interested volunteers can contact Perkins at 360/992-6091.
91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-Tran bus service. We offer 16 bachelor's degrees, nine master's degrees, one doctorate degree and more than 35 fields of study. Visit us on the Web at
Photo, courtesy 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø: Middle school and community volunteer participants in the fall 2007 MESA Day at Washington State University Vancouver have fun while learning math, engineering and science skills.