MESA STEM Day at Cal State LA opens pathways to STEM careers

Cal State LA welcomed more than 407 middle and high school students for its 22nd annual MESA STEM Day on Saturday, Oct. 24. More than 100 student, faculty, staff, and alumni volunteers helped make the day of learning and exploration possible, with support from Boeing, Boeing Global Engagement, and Southern California Edison.

The annual event was facilitated by Cal State LA's College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology and Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program to generate excitement about careers in these STEM fields among future generations of inquisitive minds who seek to make a difference in the world.

Many workshops were held throughout the university, transforming the campus into a playground of scientific innovation where students could gain knowledge through play. A leading American aerospace company, Boeing organized interactive demonstrations and offered resources to future engineers.

Boeing representative and STEM advocate Juan "Tony" Castilleja Jr. was inspired during his drive to the Cal State LA campus.

"I thought about the real product we work on every day, and that's each and every one of you-our people, our students, our future, nuestra futura," said Castilleja Jr., executive director and site leader for Boeing Space Mission Systems, Ground & Mission Operations.

Boeing designs and manufactures commercial airplanes, space technologies, defense systems, and communications technology. Through its support, the company introduces students to these innovations and offers opportunities to explore new ideas and potential career paths.

The event also featured various activities and workshops hosted by MESA In Action, a long-running STEM program at Cal State LA. Students participated in a flashlight workshop, a radio activity workshop supported by Southern California Edison, a steerable robot activity, LEGO and communications activities, and a bottle rocket activity.

The MESA STEM Day emphasizes having fun while discovering creativity and hands-on problem solving.

"Engineering comes alive when you test ideas, collaborate with a team, and tackle real-world challenges together," said Karen Abigail Williams, Cal State LA's interim vice president for strategic enrollment management.

Williams emphasized the university's commitment to expanding educational opportunities and clearing pathways for students of all backgrounds.

"We prepare students not only to enter the workforce, but to lead," she said. "Having the tools, knowledge, and confidence to shape the future of our region and drive innovation forward."

The MESA program at Cal State LA provides financial, academic, and social support to scholars from underserved communities, helping them earn their college degrees and become the engineers, technologists, and computer science professionals that STEM industry needs to create impactful solutions, address critical needs, and drive meaningful change.

Photo: Juan "Tony" Castilleja Jr., executive director and site leader for Boeing Space Mission Systems, Ground & Mission Operations, welcomes middle and high school students to MESA STEM Day at Cal State LA. (Credit: Hasmik Simon/Cal State LA)