Join us in this new and exciting project:

A “green building” science laboratory for K-12 students at the Casa de la Esperanza MESA Center in Longmont, Colorado

The unique mission of the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) is to encourage, motivate, support and prepare students for success in the pursuit of undergraduate degrees and careers in mathematics, engineering, science and technology. MESA serves all students but has a particular interest and focus on students from groups that are historically underrepresented in science, engineering and other math based careers.

Casa de la Esperanza’s mission is to provide educational services to the farm worker community and other Longmont residents that will allow them greater access to opportunities and success by promoting higher education and computer skills.

This effort presents an opportunity to collaborate with CU Boulder Engineering Professors, Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP),Women In Engineering (WIEP), CU architecture and engineering students, MESA, and Casa de la Esperanza to develop the first ever MESA “green building” science laboratory.

The MESA/Casa de la Esperanza science laboratory will be open to students and their families to work together to participate in hands-on engineering, science and mathematics projects at the Casa De Esperanza Community Center.

Study groups facilitated by university MEP & WIEP students.
Special guests from the science community to lead exciting state of the art activities.
Students to continue working on projects with support staff and university mentors in the evenings, on weekends, and during vacation periods.
Observation of best practices in sustainable development and renewable energy.
Casa parents to continue their education in math, science, language arts, and technology.

We are looking for interested community members, engineering, building professionals, educators, fund raisers, public relations specialists, friends - anyone who would like to help in any way to join us from the very beginning of this first ever math/science laboratory to increase the enthusiasm and success in mathematics, engineering and science. MESA students throughout Longmont will be welcome to join MESA students at Casa for special projects at the Casa/MESA Center.

This is an opportunity for the Casa de la Esperanza community and the broader community to gain hands-on experience with state of the art "green" building strategies and materials. We hope to integrate photovoltaics, investigate hot water solar panels, wind energy, use natural products throughout the lab, perhaps use countertops made from recycled glass, cabinetry from wheat straw particleboard - lots of energy efficiency and renewable ideas.

Participants:: Dr. Bernard Amadei - Engineers Without Borders- USA, Professor of Civil Engineering, CU Boulder
Gale Day, Chris Bonilha, David Ramirez, Luis Rodríguez - Multicultural Engineering Program, CU Boulder
Dr. Luis Summers Pagador - Professor of Architectural Engineering, CU Boulder
Robyn Sandekian - Associate Director, Eng. Dev. Communities, CU Boulder
Linda Lung, Rick Shinn, Morgan Curley - National Renewable Energy Lab
Michael Lozano - MESA Advisor, Casa de la Esperanza Computer Tech
Mark Schueneman - Colorado Straw Bale Association
Gloria Nelson, Victor Vialpando - Colorado MESA
Jeff Scott - President / Owner Sol Source
For more information, contact:: Karen Hunter, MESA Coordinator, St. Vrain Valley School District
khmesa@comcast.net 303.442.4239
Carlota Loya-Hernandéz, Resident Program Director Casa de la Esperanza
cloya@co.boulder.co.us 303.678.6220 (Mon.-Thurs. after 5, or leave a message)