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IT REALLY IS ROCKET SCIENCE!!
From Mentos & Coke => Something that Soars
 
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"Seven children from our school won in 15 different events at the MESA day at UC Santa Cruz this year. Many of the children had never been out of the barrio before.
Now they are starting to dream about a bigger world - even college could be a possibility.
This is what happens when you reach out a hand to children of poverty"
Stella Moreno, Principal Pajaro Middle School
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 Spotlight on MESA at Pajaro Middle School
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One of the country's most successful programs of its kind, MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) provides academic support for thousands of educationally disadvantaged students. The MESA Schools Program is a statewide program managed through the University of California Office of the President.
Here in Santa Cruz County, the primary goal of the UC Santa Cruz MESA Schools Program is to provide students from educationally disadvantaged and traditionally non-college going families with academic preparation and career awareness opportunities that empower MESA students to transform their lives.
 What Does our Grant Provide?
Women in Philanthropy funds the MESA program at Pajaro Middle School in Watsonville. In addition to completing assigned scientific tasks as part of a project team, students must learn to prioritize, work as part of a collaborative group, write a technical paper about the project and give an oral presentation about the project.
Our grant supports the entire program at Pajaro Middle School - including teaching time, intern support, materials and travel to competitions.
How Successful is the Program?
The first year of our grant, only a very small number of children wanted to participate in a math and science club. The second year, a few more children participated and two of the kids won at the MESA day competition at UC Santa Cruz.
This year, in May 2009, seven children from Pajaro Middle School won in 15 different events and went onto participate in the Regional Competitions at Fresno State.
Math and science are becoming cool -- and horizons are broadening for children who never thought of themselves as engineers or scientists. For the first time, many of these kids are starting to think that college is a possibility.
Our grant is truly changing the lives of these children.
Learn more about MESA at MESA UCSC
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No, you didn't miss the May/June newsletter. The release date of these newsletters has become "periodic" instead of monthly . So from now on, we will be numbering them -- this is Vol I, No.4.
If you want any of the back issues, email Anne Cawley with your request
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Women in Philanthropy Celebrates 3 Years of Funding School-Based Programs
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At the end of May, over 30  members of Women in Philanthropy gathered at the Sesnon House for an Afternoon Tea to celebrate completing 3 years of funding our school-based projects.
Representatives from our programs were there to update us on what is happening -- and there were many inspirational stories.
Lovely food and tea (and some wine) capped off by a raffle of a beautiful Annieglass plate won by Ginny Solari Mazry made for a delightful event. 
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Congratulations to Diane Porter Cooley!
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Women in Philanthropy Founding Member Diane Proter Cooley was recently awarded Farmer of the Year by the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau.
This award was in recognition of all the work that Diane has done to preserve agriculture in the county. She has permanently protected family ranchland in the Pajaro Valley and property near Elkhorn Slough in Monterey County from development with conservation easements.
Congratulations to Diane for this honor and recognition of her vision and leadership.
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Women in Philanthropy Allocations Committee Results
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In late April, the Women in Philanthropy Allocations Committee -- Chris Maffia, Ginny Solari Mazry, Kathy Robison, and Laura Webster -- went out and met with all of our funded programs.
During the course of the visits, the commitee met with the directors of the programs, saw the programs in action with the children, and had time to discuss the effectiveness of each program.
Based on the results of their work, the committee recommended that grants of $10,000 each be awarded to:
- Reading Recovery: Live Oak School District;
- English Literacy: Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary;
- SPECTRA: Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County;
- MESA; Pajaro Middle School.
Thanks to the committee for their commitment of time and energy to this important task.
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