Middle school students receive homework support and participate in hands-on activities daily after school. The program encourages students to strive for higher education in order to pursue science, engineering, and technical careers. The project-based activities include participation in San José State University’s MESA (Math, Engineering & Science Achievement) program and an introduction to programming.

This program academically engages students through hands-on multi-disciplinary projects and activities, encourages them to see the value of education, and motivates them to go to school and work hard to finish middle and high school. Students work individually and collaboratively in teams as they explore various activities and projects that are aligned to the Common Core Standards.

This is the only fully equipped STEM Workshop serving middle school youth in East San José.

Students new to the program are introduced to the basics. A set of six initial projects teach the proper use of tools to measure, cut, drill, join, wire and layout projects, which are the basic techniques that are important for construction. Other hands on activities include electricity, magnetism, and simple chemistry experiments. These “qualifying projects” provide the means for students to demonstrate their knowledge and mastery of various hand tools and specific skills.

After satisfactorily completing these projects, students are allowed to sign up for MESA projects such as: Popsicle Stick Bridges, Mousetrap Cars, and Trebuchet (catapult)

In 2013/14, the program received the MESA Middle School Chapter of the Year Award in honor of their “Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to the MESA Program.”

The 2017/18 teams placed 1st in 4 categories, 2nd in 3 categories, and 3rd in one category at the San José State MESA Competition in March 3, 2018. The 1st & 2nd place winners will go on to Regionals at CA State East Bay on April 28, 2018.

The Workshop is located at the Joseph George Community Center and provides support to the science programs at Joseph George Middle School.