Oregon MESA

Oregon MESA offers the MESA Schools Program for middle and high school students in grades 5th-12th. The school-based, no-cost program includes STEM, invention, and 21st-century skills, and it is NGSS-aligned and led by MESA Advisors. Throughout the school year, students meet during weekly, one-hour chapter meetings.

At a glance

• Ages: 10–18 years old
• General schedule: Throughout the school year, students meet during weekly, one-hour chapter meetings.

About the provider

Oregon MESA was founded in 1985 and has served students since 1985. The program states that it focuses on students underrepresented in STEM fields and works to bring equity in STEM education to students of color, low-income youth, and girls. It also uses an ecosystems approach that brings schools, families, businesses, and mentors together, with family engagement, school- and community-based partnerships, local university student mentors, field trips, classroom visits for career awareness, and regional centers that support school partnerships, local events, teachers, and families.

• MESA Schools Program — middle and high school students in grades 5th-12th · School-based invention education program; no-cost; at the schools where students are enrolled; includes STEM, invention, and 21st-century skills; NGSS-aligned; teacher-led by MESA Advisors.

Oregon MESA focuses on underserved, underrepresented students. It is an equity program first and provides culturally and socially responsive programming. The program engages parents directly in their child’s success.

What families say

“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.” — Victoria C., Student

“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.” — Dr. Carol Dahl, The Lemelson Foundation

“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.” — Kerryn, Advisor

Last updated October 14, 2026.