Three of the nine honorees of this year's Boulder County Community Action Program are involved with MESA at Casa de la Esperanza. Karen Hunter, Eduardo Araujo Pradere and Michael Lozano Roman were all nominated by Carlota Loya Hernandéz, Casa's Resident Program Director, for their work with MESA programs at Casa.
Michael Lozano Roman, a native from Peru, serves as the computer/technology coach and as the MESA advisor for the five MESA programs at Casa. Michael has guided the Casa MESA FIRST Robotics team for three years and implemented FIRST LEGO League and Junior FIRST LEGO League teams for elementary and middle school MESA students. Michael is actively involved with parent programs as well and helps parents understand the importance of STEM education programs such as MESA in their children's lives.
Eduardo Araujo Pradere is a Cuban-born research scientist at NOAA. Eduardo's involvement in MESA began at Skyline High when he introduced a Space Weather unit to a "new comers" science class. At the end of the first session one of the students asked Eduardo what he needed to do to become a scientist like him. Eduardo continues his work with MESA at Casa de la Esperanza by working with both students and parents as he inspires them to become more involved with math, science, and technology. Eduardo firmly believes that "without the family, we cannot education the way we want."
Karen Hunter, St. Vrain MESA Coordinator, was honored for her work with education outreach partnerships. Community, corporate, and university partnerships, and MESA teachers are the keys to the success of MESA in St. Vrain. MESA is able to offer the highest quality STEM education programs because of these partnerships. St. Vrain MESA students are well on their way to becoming our future technological workforce thanks to our partners!