OREGON MESA hosts students at the MESA Computer Science Investigators(CSI) Camp

MESA middle school students received the opportunity to investigate computers at all levels at a four-day camp held at Portland State University. They had the opportunity to learn about how computer hardware works, how to build a computer and install an operating system, how computers think and how to program using SCRATCH.  It was a full four days of hands-on activities and fun. Students also had the opportunity to meet and interact with University faculty and graduate students in computer science.

Oregon MESA Middle School Team Emerge as Champions at the MESA USA National Engineering Design Competition in Colorado

Denver, CO. –June 29, 2009 - The same math and science skills that President Barack Obama announced would be a priority for his education priorities were illustrated in Colorado where students from six states, including Oregon, participated in the MESA USA National Engineering Design Challenge.

The MESA National Engineering Design Competition is an opportunity for MESA USA states to showcase their best and brightest in science, technology engineering and science.  In order to get to this prestigious event, middle and high school student teams built trebuchets, conducted research and presented their findings at local state qualifying MESA Day competitions.  Oregon’s team competed at MESA Day, held at Portland State University, on May 15, 2009.  With the support of The Lemelson Foundation and Intel, Ockley Green School and Benson High School students represented Oregon MESA at the competition in Denver, Colorado.

“I never thought I could be an engineer. Now I know I can,” said 13 year old Monseratt Hernandez.  She is only one of the team members who now hold the title, MESA USA Engineering Design Champions. She was accompanied by her Ockley Green School teammates 12 year old Thien Nguyen, 13 year old Tinh Nguyen and 13 year old Ryan Writz.  While at the competition, the team presented their research to a panel of engineers and scientists, and tested their trebuchet. The MESA USA National Design Competition was held June 25-June 28.

In MESA and at the competition, “ I learned lots about physics.  It makes me excited to learn more,” said Tinh Nguyen.