About
Oregon MESA offers hands-on invention education where students work directly on invention-focused projects. The program equips teachers to support underserved middle and high school students in these hands-on invention activities, with a focus on students of color, low-income youth, and girls. Programming is provided at no cost at the schools where underserved students are enrolled.
Oregon MESA has been serving students since 1985 and was founded that year under the name Portland MESA. It was born out of the civil rights movement and founded by leaders of color in Portland. For 40 years and counting, Oregon MESA has worked to bring equity in STEM education. Portland State University started hosting the program in 1985 and continues to host Oregon MESA. Oregon MESA’s mission is to provide students underrepresented in STEM fields with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to develop their talents, explore technology-based careers, enter college, and compete successfully in the workforce. The program reports that students served are three times more likely to graduate high school than non-STEM peers and that 98% of students report increased confidence in invention skills. Oregon MESA has received three National Medals referenced in “Three National Medals, Endless Innovation: Oregon MESA Shines at NEDC.”
MESA’s ecosystems approach to education brings schools, families, businesses, and mentors together to empower the technology-based workforce of the future. Oregon MESA partners with Portland State University, which hosts the MESA program and provides students with exposure to postsecondary academic programs and other opportunities hosted by the university. The program describes itself as an equity program focused on understanding each person’s unique needs and challenges and providing equitable opportunities and resources, and it engages parents directly in their child’s success.
Student, partner, and educator testimonials describe the program’s impact. Student Victoria C. states, “MESA has taught me that everyone should have the opportunity to create things and be heard. It reminded me that I have the right to pursue any career, especially engineering.” Dr. Carol Dahl from The Lemelson Foundation says, “MESA’s work is critical to advancing invention education. It gives young people more creative confidence, unleashes their thinking about ways to advance positive change, and maximizes their personal potential. That leads to a smarter, stronger Oregon.” Advisor Kerryn notes, “Our students have talents that often go unnoticed. At MESA, students are seen for their innovation and creativity. They are recognized for the great ideas they have and the products they create. This changes the way they feel about themselves; they can see themselves working in the STEM fields.” Oregon MESA advisor and middle school teacher Melanie Ramsey says, “It’s important for students to see a person of color who’s passionate about science. I want to pass on that passion and that motivation to show them that they can have fun.”
Last updated July 14, 2026.
Oregon MESA has been serving students since 1985 and was founded that year under the name Portland MESA. It was born out of the civil rights movement and founded by leaders of color in Portland. For 40 years and counting, Oregon MESA has worked to bring equity in STEM education. Portland State University started hosting the program in 1985 and continues to host Oregon MESA. Oregon MESA’s mission is to provide students underrepresented in STEM fields with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to develop their talents, explore technology-based careers, enter college, and compete successfully in the workforce. The program reports that students served are three times more likely to graduate high school than non-STEM peers and that 98% of students report increased confidence in invention skills. Oregon MESA has received three National Medals referenced in “Three National Medals, Endless Innovation: Oregon MESA Shines at NEDC.”
MESA’s ecosystems approach to education brings schools, families, businesses, and mentors together to empower the technology-based workforce of the future. Oregon MESA partners with Portland State University, which hosts the MESA program and provides students with exposure to postsecondary academic programs and other opportunities hosted by the university. The program describes itself as an equity program focused on understanding each person’s unique needs and challenges and providing equitable opportunities and resources, and it engages parents directly in their child’s success.
Student, partner, and educator testimonials describe the program’s impact. Student Victoria C. states, “MESA has taught me that everyone should have the opportunity to create things and be heard. It reminded me that I have the right to pursue any career, especially engineering.” Dr. Carol Dahl from The Lemelson Foundation says, “MESA’s work is critical to advancing invention education. It gives young people more creative confidence, unleashes their thinking about ways to advance positive change, and maximizes their personal potential. That leads to a smarter, stronger Oregon.” Advisor Kerryn notes, “Our students have talents that often go unnoticed. At MESA, students are seen for their innovation and creativity. They are recognized for the great ideas they have and the products they create. This changes the way they feel about themselves; they can see themselves working in the STEM fields.” Oregon MESA advisor and middle school teacher Melanie Ramsey says, “It’s important for students to see a person of color who’s passionate about science. I want to pass on that passion and that motivation to show them that they can have fun.”
Last updated July 14, 2026.
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