SW Washington MESA Awarded Grant for Summer Science and Engineering Program

Post date

FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE

7/15/2010

CONTACT:

VANCOUVER, Wash.
– (Mathematics, Engineering,
Science Achievement) has been awarded a $12,070 grant by the Qwest Foundation
to support the MESA Summer Science and Engineering program. Hosted by
Washington State University Vancouver, SW Washington MESA is an academic-enrichment
program that helps provide a pathway to college and careers in the science,
technology, engineering and math fields for middle and high school students.

The fourth annual
MESA Summer Science and Engineering program started on Monday, July 12 and will
run through the week at 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø. Designed for students in grades 7- 12,
first priority was given to students who have participated in previous MESA
programs.

The MESA Summer
Science and Engineering program is designed to draw students into hands-on,
real-world activities that create meaningful connections between academic content
and practical application. Classes are offered in marine biology, animal
physiology, LEGO robotics, Game Maker and medical career exploration. Students are
introduced to instructors and mentors from the professional community, have
access to cutting-edge equipment and exposed to a higher-education environment.
Each class is limited to 10 - 12 students.

Armetta Burney,
director of SW Washington MESA, is confident the grant from Qwest will benefit
the local community.

"This partnership
with Qwest helps MESA continue its mission to provide enriching
educational opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and math
fields for students in Southwest Washington. We believe the Summer Science
and Engineering program fulfills a need in our community and
gives students a great opportunity to make connections to real-world
applications," said Burney.

Founded in 2004,
SW Washington MESA brings resources into schools that build pathways to careers
in engineering and science. MESA targets students who are underrepresented in
math- and science-based careers: African American, Latino/a, Native American
and female. The program serves students by providing after school, hands-on
math and science enrichment, field trips and speakers, local, regional and
national events, teacher professional development and family engagement

The Qwest
Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of customers and the communities
they serve. The foundation awards grants that generate high-impact and
measurable results through community-based programs in the area of pre-K
through 12 education.

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