Demo Day is Oregon MESA's only annual student showcase that is open to the public and allows MESA students to pitch their current projects in front of industry judges and the community. This year's challenge theme is “Designing for Environmental Justice.” Our students develop solutions to empower their “client” using the principles of human-centered design and invention education. Oregon MESA will need a number of volunteers on Demo Day to serve as judges, speakers, exhibitors, and general event staffers.
Our 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. Every year, Oregon MESA serves more than 600 middle and high school students historically underrepresented in STEM fields. These students are defined as underrepresented students of color, girls and non-binary students, impoverished populations, and first-generation college students. We currently have [MESA programs](https://oregonmesa.org/programs/) in schools across the state of Oregon, predominantly focused in the Portland Metro region, but also in schools in Salem and Southern Oregon. MESA’s ecosystem consists of educators, industry and university professionals, students, and families. We offer invention-focused afterschool programming, family engagement, college and career visits, competitions, and mentorship. MESA empowers students with the skills to problem-solve, communicate, and collaborate; the courage to fail in pursuit of success; and the expectation that they can — and will — achieve in the innovation economy. Year after year, our programs produce real impact for positive societal change. Learn more at [oregonmesa.org](https://www.oregonmesa.org/).
With the right network of support, our youth are capable of unlocking solutions to the world’s toughest problems, such as tackling poverty and disease, conserving finite resources, and creating renewable energy sources. When you volunteer with Oregon MESA, we are able to expand our service areas, extend our programming and offer life-changing opportunities to more students. MESA MENTORS Time Commitment: 2-3 hours weekly Mentors work with a teacher (MESA Advisor) to run a chapter of 6-12th grade student inventors at MESA schools. They support students with long-term invention projects, research curriculum activities for MESA Advisors, and serve as a point of contact between Oregon MESA and their chapters. SPEAKERS Time Commitment: 3-5 hours one-time Speakers will present on and talk with students and/or the MESA audience about a STEM or equity related topic. Speakers can operate in one of three different capacities: Featured Speaker: Will share their personal story related to their career, business, and/or research. Tour Guide: Will showcase their office/lab through a recorded or live experience. Workshop Leader: Will prepare a guided STEM activity for MESA students. Tour guides and workshop leaders can volunteer on behalf of themselves or their company, and can work in teams to present. If you know someone who would make a fantastic MESA speaker, please introduce us to them! JUDGES Time Commitment: 3-5 hours one= Judges will be recruited for various events to score student competition entries that happen in the spring. They are STEM experts, educators, and/or MESA partners. All judges will receive training prior to the event on the scoring tool. FAMILY CONNECTORS Time Commitment: 2-5 hours monthly Family Connectors will help us reach out to families and students. Sometimes a phone call makes a huge difference. Having multi-language skills is a plus! MESA CHAMPIONS Time Commitment: 1-2 hours monthly The MESA Champion is someone who supports MESA's mission, spreads the word about MESA, and forges connections. They will share all MESA email and social media communications to their networks, and connect potential students, teachers, and volunteers to MESA staff. Volunteer opportunities for Champions include our Regional Equity Committees or MESA Advisory Board. Want to help, but not sure what fits? Sign-up anyway! We'll reach out and work with you to find a role that fits!
Oregon MESA website
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