Over 2,000 MESA Students to Benefit from ThinkQuest Online Learning Platform
Redwood Shores, California – January 25, 2011
News Facts
The Oracle Education Foundation (OEF) (www.oraclefoundation.org/) and Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) (www.ucop.edu/mesa/about/mesausa.html) have partnered to bring OEF’s ThinkQuest (www.thinkquest.org/) to more than 2,000 students in California, Colorado, Maryland, and Washington over the next two years.
Delivered globally, ThinkQuest includes a project environment that supports collaborative learning; a technology competition that challenges students to solve real-world problems; the award-winning ThinkQuest Library, a learning resource visited by millions; and professional development for educators.
OEF and MESA will train over 300 teachers on how to integrate 21st century skills instruction and project learning into their curricula using ThinkQuest.
In addition, MESA students will test their skills by participating in the ThinkQuest International Competition 2011 (www.thinkquest.org/competition/) , which challenges teams to solve real-world problems by creating web-based projects, digital media, or web-based applications.
MESA students, coached by MESA advisors, will create entries for the competition and utilize research and technical skills they have developed through MESA.
ThinkQuest currently supports over 548,000 students and teachers in 47 countries.
Supporting Quotes
“The Oracle Education Foundation’s mission is to help students develop the critical thinking, communication, and technology skills needed for life and work in the 21st century. Using ThinkQuest and participating in the competition will provide MESA students with the platform and activity needed to build these critical skills,” said Brad Saffer, Vice President, Oracle Corporate Citizenship.
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Oracle Education Foundation and bring ThinkQuest resources to our program,” said Oscar Porter, California MESA Executive Director and President of MESA USA. “This partnership will help us develop our students to become the future technical professionals that California—and the nation—needs to stay competitive.”
“The partnership with the Oracle Education Foundation is exciting for both our advisors and students as we prepare tomorrow’s workforce to compete in the 21st Century. ThinkQuest is an outstanding complement to our current programs and provides forward-thinking technology to Colorado MESA students,” said Debbie Woodward, Colorado MESA Executive Director.
“ThinkQuest provides an opportunity for students to collaborate in a global setting and for MESA advisors to benefit from professional development,” said Paula Shelton, Executive Director, Maryland MESA. “Some of our advisors have already begun using ThinkQuest and have shared their excitement with their peers. We look forward to a long-term partnership with the Oracle Education Foundation.”
“Washington MESA is committed to using technology to help students improve their research, communication, and real-world problem-solving skills. Our partnership with the Oracle Education Foundation offers teachers and students the opportunity to showcase these skills by creating innovative entries for the ThinkQuest International Competition,” said James Dorsey, Executive Director, Washington MESA.
Supporting Resources
ThinkQuest (www.thinkquest.org/)
Oracle Education Foundation (www.oraclefoundation.org/)
Become a fan of ThinkQuest on Facebook (www.thinkquest.org/facebook/)
View the Oracle Education Foundation YouTube channel (www.thinkquest.org/youtube)
About the Oracle Education Foundation
The Oracle Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization funded by Oracle. It delivers ThinkQuest, an online learning platform that helps students develop important 21st century skills, including communication, critical thinking, and technology skills. ThinkQuest includes a project environment that supports collaborative learning; technology competitions that challenge students to solve real-world problems; the award-winning ThinkQuest Library, a learning resource visited by millions; and professional development for educators. ThinkQuest supports over 548,000 students and teachers in 47 countries. To learn more, visit www.oraclefoundation.org.
About MESA
MESA is a program that is nationally recognized for its innovative and effective academic development program. MESA, located in eight states, engages over 20,000 educationally disadvantaged students enabling them to excel in math and science and graduate with math-based degrees. MESA partners with all segments of higher education as well as K-12 institutions. For more information, visit www.ucop.edu/mesa/about/mesausa.html.
About Oracle
Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) is the world's most complete, open, and integrated business software and hardware systems company. For more information about Oracle, please visit our Web site at www.oracle.com
Trademarks
Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. MESA is a registered servicemark of the Regents of the University of California.
Contact Info
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Kimberly Pineda
Oracle
+1.650.506.8831
kimberly.pineda@oracle.com (mailto:kimberly.pineda@oracle.com)
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