Karen Hunter, St. Vrain MESA Coordinator
- Karen Hunter Contact Information
- St. Vrain Valley School District
395 S. Pratt Parkway
Longmont, Colorado 80501 - St. Vrain Office (303) 682-7246
Home Office (303) 442-4239 - hunter_karen@stvrain.k12.co.us
Throughout my 40 year career in public education, I have had many rewarding experiences, but none have been more meaningful than my work with the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Program. I believe that MESA is critically important for our students, and would like to take this opportunity to express two of the reasons why I value MESA so highly.
First, I recognize the importance of math and science for all children, and MESA provides a motivational vehicle to deliver opportunities in the sciences to students of varied backgrounds. Organized as an enrichment program, MESA serves all students, but also focuses on encouraging students from groups historically underrepresented in the sciences to ultimately pursue undergraduate degrees and careers in mathematics, engineering, science, and technology. MESA students in elementary, middle, and high schools prepare for and explore these professions through collaborative projects focused on building math, science, technology, and communication skills. While enhancing current comprehension and achievement, students are also building future opportunity.
Second, there is a power in collaborative partnerships to transform lives in positive ways. Students, parents, and educators have inspired me to continue to work to increase those collaborative partnerships while increasing MESA participation. Hundreds of volunteers have provided funding, programming, and inspiration on behalf of MESA students. While students benefit personally and academically through their MESA involvement, organizations interested in the future hiring of mathematicians, scientists, and engineers look with particular interest on the preparation of students for such work. Community groups - from higher education, government, and industry – are supporting MESA programming in numerous ways. Additionally, parents communicate a desire to see increased opportunities for their children through the sciences, and express their appreciation for the opportunities MESA provides. Here are but a few examples of the power of these partnerships:
- Head Start MESA began due to the interest a parent participating in a Latino Parent Leadership Training Class had in early science education. After I had spoken to the group about MESA, the parent asked me if Head Start could have a MESA program. The Longmont Head Start director and teachers embraced the idea, grants were obtained to purchase hands-on math and science kits, and Head Start teachers began to integrate math and science in instruction. Today, 166 three- and four-year-olds are participating in MESA math and science activities.
- In March, seven organizations joined together to provide 4th and 5th grade MESA students and their families with an unparalleled excursion into the realm of the sciences. Representatives from NCAR, The Fiske Planetarium, ITLL (The Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory), Science Discovery, NIST, The Thorne Ecological Institute, and the City of Boulder’s Water Education Project met first with students for a “Science is Everywhere” Saturday. During that event, students explored varied science content with the facilitators. The following week, the students and their entire families were invited to the “Fiske Family Event.” Following a bilingual star show, students had an opportunity to teach their families what they had learned the week before. Families participated in large numbers – the myth of minority non-participation in educational activities was shown clearly to be just a myth – perhaps in part because the event organization was culturally sensitive, honoring the whole family’s part in the student’s academic growth. Approximately 200 people attended.
- During the last MESA Expo, a parent said, “You have changed my son’s life through MESA.” She was not the first parent to express this sentiment, and I suspect that she will not be the last. Other parents have mentioned similar sentiments to their children’s MESA Advisors. The influence of high interest, motivational activities coupled with exposure to potential careers cannot be overestimated.
- I could continue to give examples: I could cite all the organizations and individuals that contribute time, facilitate lessons, provide internships, support scholarships, or bestow grants, but the list now numbers in the hundreds. I believe that this is an indicator that the value I attribute to MESA is shared by many others. When I was hired by Colorado MESA and Sun Microsystems six years ago (on a three year grant to increase participation in MESA in four front range districts), it became clear that this was a meaningful task. After the grant ended, I continued to implement the goals of the original grant for the St. Vrain Valley School District. Today, I feel confident that others share my view of the important role MESA has in both the current and the future achievement of our students.
