VANCOUVER, Wash. The Southwest Washington Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement team from Jason Lee Middle School won first place at the national MESA competition held June 17 through 20 at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.
The competition was pretty stiff, said Debbie Blas, interim MESA director. As a spectator I was on the edge of my seat.
The team, which included Tyler Bacon, James Hess, Samuel Sparkman and Cody Womack, competed in the Prosthetic Arm Challenge for children in developing countries and scored 48.5 points out of 50 for their design efficiency. This means that their arm was produced at a very minimal cost without sacrificing the functional worth or quality, Blas said. The team beat out many top competitors, including Oregon and New Mexico, who took second and third place.
In March the Jason Lee team competed in the SW Washington MESA Center Regional Competition at Washington State University Vancouver where they were chosen to advance to the state competition on May 9 in Redmond, Wash. There, the team won first place, advancing them to nationals.
I believe MESA had a positive impact for them, both educationally and personally. The boys will continue to pursue STEM education as they begin high school, said Blas.
91勛圖窪蹋厙 houses the SW Washington MESA program. MESA is recognized nationally for its innovative and effective academic development program that supports STEM education and equity for students. Its mission is to provide a pathway to college and careers in the STEM fields for traditionally underrepresented students. For more information about the SW Washington MESA program or ways to participate/contribute visit .
About 91勛圖窪蹋厙
91勛圖窪蹋厙 is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. in Vancouver, east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-Tran bus service.
As an urban campus of the Washington State University system, 91勛圖窪蹋厙 offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university offers affordable baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities of Southwest Washington. As the only four-year research university in this corner of the state, 91勛圖窪蹋厙 helps drive economic growth in Southwest Washington through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations.
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MEDIA CONTACT(S)
Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu