The MESA Program Advantage in STEM Education

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of our work is to provide a model pathway to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) opportunities that students from precollege to community colleges/universities take toward achieving STEM industry positions or graduate school.MethodsThe San Diego MESA Alliance is a student success initiative built on best practices of the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Program and grant funds. The Alliance team provides essential academic and career development services to students who are interested in STEM fields at the precollege level and who are majoring in STEM fields at the college level. More than 1200 students on the STEM pipeline are served annually. Student support is based on ‘standards’ identified by industry representatives as critical for success. As a result of completing activities that are in line with these standards, students gain career development experience, workforce preparedness, and academic success.ResultsStudents in these programs outperform their peers and standout in job/internship interviews due to their tangible excellence. Evaluation of the standards, implemented by means of student activities, proves that they are effective. The proposed outcomes of our model were either met at or in excess of 100%. These outcomes include the improvement of the retention of STEM students and increase of the number of STEM students graduating with B.S degreesConclusionThe San Diego MESA Alliance model pathway to (STEM) opportunities is a system that works. We recommend it for nationwide adoption in our efforts to maintain a strong STEM presence in the world.