Paramount Students Build Pathways to Innovation Through MESA at Long Beach State

On Saturday, October 18, Paramount Unified School District students in grades 6–12 gathered at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) to launch this year’s Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Academy.

Led by the CSULB College of Engineering’s Outreach Office, the MESA Saturday Academies provide Paramount students exclusive access to the university’s classrooms, labs, and mentors. Over the course of four Saturdays from October through January, students engage in hands-on learning that brings math, engineering, and science to life. Rather than attending as observers, students collaborate directly with college mentors to design, build, and test their own projects—developing teamwork, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving skills.

While the university leads the instructional experience, coordination across the district is powered by Paramount Unified’s Secondary Education Department, led by Coordinator Jason Ito. The department organizes transportation, recruits and supports teacher advisors from each middle school, Paramount High School, and Odyssey STEM Academy, and ensures a seamless experience for students and families.

In spring, Paramount’s MESA students will join peers from across Los Angeles and beyond to compete in regional challenges that test their engineering and design skills—showcasing creativity, persistence, and collaboration.

The MESA program is nationally recognized for opening pathways to STEM careers, particularly for students from communities historically underrepresented in science and engineering fields. Paramount’s long-standing participation in MESA has led to remarkable outcomes: 100% of Paramount High School MESA seniors matriculate to college, many continuing in STEM majors.

Paramount’s partnership with CSULB also provides unique advantages for graduates. Seniors pursuing engineering degrees at Long Beach State are eligible for an immediate $2,000 scholarship, reinforcing the district’s commitment to preparing every student for college, career, and life success.