News

What:
More than 250 diverse students in the MESA Program (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) from 13 area middle and high schools will take part in the annual Oregon MESA Day at Portland State University. Participants will tackle science and engineering challenges such as creating a mousetrap-powered car, building balsawood bridges and designing boats as part of on-site contests. Students will also tour PSU’s Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science. PSU students, faculty members and local industry professionals will volunteer as judges for the competitions.

When:
Friday, May 13, 2005, from 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Media interested in photos of students in action should plan on attending between 9:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. The awards ceremony takes place from 2:05–2:45 p.m.

Where:
PSU’s Peter Stott Center (930 SW Hall Street, Portland).

Contact:
Media interested in attending the event should contact Carla Faini, executive director of Oregon MESA, at 503-725-4268.

Background:
Oregon MESA is a pre-college academic program of the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science at Portland State University dedicated to engaging under-represented students, grades 6–12, in hands-on math, engineering, science and technology projects during weekly chapter meetings at school sites. Twenty-three math and science teachers currently lead 17 MESA chapters in 13 public middle and high schools in the greater Portland area. More than 600 students are participating in MESA this academic year, an increase of over 50 percent from the previous year. This year’s MESA chapters include Beaumont, Binnsmead, Fernwood, Gregory Heights, Ockley Green, Portsmouth and Tubman Middle Schools; as well as Benson, Grant, Gresham, Jefferson, Marshall and Roosevelt High Schools. Oregon MESA is a member of MESA USA, a partnership of MESA programs from eleven states.

For Immediate Release (#05-064)