Two students in Fresno State’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program came away with top honors at the MESA National Engineering Design Competition for designing Safe Space, an app that provides multilingual, real-time mental health support for students in underserved schools.
Jonathan Alfaro Saravia and Christopher Torres-Alfaro, of Mendota High School, won first place in the national competition, held at John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, June 22 to 25. Middle school and high school students across seven states were tasked with identifying a community challenge and engineering a solution using a human-centered approach. Saravia and Torres-Alfaro were inspired to design the app to address the rising mental health crisis in Mendota.
The team spent months researching and designing the app before competing locally and regionally. After earning the state championship in May, they went on to compete at the national level, where they presented and pitched their app to judges and industry leaders.
The Fresno State MESA Program, housed within the Lyles College of Engineering, prepares middle, high school, community college and university students to become the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers through hands-on STEM learning and academic support. Founded locally in 1980, the program is administered by the University of California, Office of the President.
INFO: Alejandra Plascencia, director of Fresno State MESA Schools Program, at alplascencia@mail.fresnostate.edu.
Photo courtesy of Mendota High School
