Cal State LA showcases STEM pathways and college access at MESA STEM Day for middle and high school students – Cal State LA Newsroom

Report on the 21st Annual MESA STEM Day at California State University, Los Angeles

Event Overview and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

On November 8, California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) hosted its 21st Annual Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) STEM Day. The event, a collaboration between the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology (ECST) and the MESA program, engaged over 450 middle and high school students. This initiative directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing critical educational opportunities and fostering partnerships for sustainable growth.

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): The event provided inclusive and equitable quality education by offering hands-on STEM learning experiences to young students, encouraging the pursuit of higher education.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By targeting middle and high school students, the MESA program works to ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities in access to advanced STEM education and career pathways.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The event exemplified a powerful partnership between academia (Cal State LA), private industry (Boeing), and the community (local schools) to achieve common educational objectives.

Key Activities and Contribution to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The event’s agenda was designed to immerse students in practical applications of STEM, directly contributing to SDG 9 by fostering interest in innovation and sustainable industrial practices. Students participated in a variety of hands-on workshops and demonstrations led by industry professionals, university faculty, and student volunteers.

Workshop and Demonstration Highlights

1. Interactive Engineering Projects: Students engaged in building and operating small-scale jumping robots, steerable robots, and bottle rockets, providing practical experience in engineering principles.
2. Sustainable Technology Showcase: A tour of the university’s Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility exposed students to advancements in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure.
3. Environmental and Civil Engineering Demonstrations: Sessions on coastal water systems and geotechnical engineering highlighted the role of STEM in creating resilient infrastructure and managing natural resources.

As noted by Provost Heather Lattimer, these hands-on opportunities are central to the Cal State LA experience, connecting students to “career experiences and career networks” essential for building a future workforce capable of driving innovation.

Fostering Future Careers and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

A primary objective of the MESA STEM Day was to illuminate pathways to future careers, aligning with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The partnership with Boeing, a global leader in aerospace, was instrumental in achieving this goal.

Industry Engagement and Career Development

• Corporate Mentorship: Forty-five Boeing volunteers, including executives and engineers, provided students with interactive demonstrations and vital information about careers in the aerospace industry.
• Connecting STEM to Global Impact: Sergio Bustamente, Vice President at Boeing Global Services, emphasized the role of STEM professionals in building “a better quality of life for everybody on this planet,” directly linking technology careers to sustainable global development.
• Building a Skilled Workforce: By sparking interest in STEM fields, the event serves as a foundational step in developing a diverse and skilled workforce prepared for the high-demand jobs of the future, thereby promoting sustained and inclusive economic growth.

Participation and Community Impact

The event’s success was marked by broad participation from the greater Los Angeles region, demonstrating a strong community commitment to advancing the SDGs through education.

Attendance Summary

• Students: Over 450 from approximately 20 high schools and 10 middle schools.
• Educators and Guardians: 45 MESA teachers and 13 parents.
• Volunteers and Staff: 115 student volunteers and 27 university staff and faculty members.

This collaborative effort underscores the university’s role, as described by Provost Lattimer, as a campus “about supporting the transformation of individuals, of families, of communities through access to higher education and outstanding learning opportunities.”

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights several issues and initiatives that directly connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire event, MESA STEM Day, is focused on providing quality educational experiences outside the traditional classroom to middle and high school students. It aims to grant them “access to mentoring, experiences, networks, and other resources” to encourage them to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields. The emphasis on “hands-on learning opportunities” and connecting education to “career experiences” directly supports the goal of inclusive and equitable quality education.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article connects education to industry and innovation. The partnership with Boeing, a “global leader in the development, production, maintenance, and enhancement” of aerospace technology, and the focus on “engineering, computer science, and technology” align with this goal. Activities like building robots and touring the Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility are designed to foster innovation and interest in technological and scientific fields, which are crucial for building resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The event described is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership. It is a collaboration between a public university (Cal State LA), a private corporation (Boeing), and local schools (“20 high schools and 10 middle schools”). The article states that the university’s MESA program and the College of ECST sponsored the event with longtime partner Boeing. This public-private partnership is essential for achieving the educational and career-oriented goals mentioned, directly reflecting the spirit of SDG 17.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  By providing students with “vital information about careers in aerospace engineering” and connecting them to “career networks,” the event contributes to future economic growth. It aims to equip young people with the skills and inspiration needed for future employment in high-demand STEM fields, which supports the goal of promoting productive employment and decent work for all.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  While not explicitly stated, the MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) program traditionally aims to support students from underrepresented backgrounds. The event’s goal to provide “access to higher education” for students from the “greater Los Angeles region” and its mission of supporting the “transformation of individuals, of families, of communities” implies a focus on ensuring equal opportunity, which is central to reducing inequalities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.3: Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university. The event is designed to showcase Cal State LA to “prospective students” and encourage them to pursue higher education.
   • Target 4.4: Substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. The event’s focus on hands-on STEM activities (building robots, bottle rockets) and providing information on careers in technology is aimed at developing these relevant skills.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers. The event’s goal is to “spark” or “nurture” interest in STEM careers, which are the foundation of research, development, and innovation in industries like aerospace.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The event is a direct manifestation of this target, being a partnership between Cal State LA (public), Boeing (private), and local schools (civil society/public).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicators for SDG 4 (Quality Education)

  • Participation Rate of Students: The article explicitly states that “more then 450 high school and middle school students” attended. This is a direct measure of youth engagement in STEM-related educational activities.
  • Institutional Participation: The involvement of “20 high schools and 10 middle schools” serves as an indicator of the program’s reach within the local education system.
  • Provision of Practical Skills Training: The mention of “hands-on activities” such as “building and operating small-scale jumping robots, steerable robots, and bottle rockets” is a qualitative indicator of the type of skills being taught, aligning with Target 4.4.

• Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

  • Number and Type of Partners: The article identifies the partners involved: a university (Cal State LA), a college within the university (ECST), a specific program (MESA), a major corporation (Boeing), and numerous local schools.
  • Level of Partner Engagement: The participation of “Forty-five Boeing volunteers,” including a senior executive, indicates a high level of commitment from the private sector partner. The presence of “115 student volunteers, and 27 staff and faculty members” shows strong internal engagement from the university.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.calstatela.edu