A University of Arizona math tutoring program is helping prepare local Native American K-12 students for careers in engineering and science disciplines.

Since 2017, the Mentorship and Education in Science for Tucson program has served students from middle and high schools across Southern Arizona. Known as MESCIT – pronounced "mesquite" – the program's name refers to the tree native to the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico.

U of A juniors and seniors go to local middle and high schools to provide one-on-one math tutoring to students several times a week. The younger students are also invited to campus to explore the university's labs and hear from professional engineers.

The College of Engineering partners with the Office of Native American Initiatives in the university's Office of the Provost and the Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory in the College of Science to administer the program. Freeport-McMoRan, a Phoenix-based mining company, also provides funding.

Most of MESCIT's 10 undergraduate tutors for 2024-2025 are students in engineering and astronomy. Two graduate students mentor the tutors, coordinate their schedules and drive them to the schools.

MESCIT has served between 30 and 50 tutees each year. This year, the program serves roughly 20 tutees at four schools in the Sunnyside and Tucson Unified school districts. The program also partners with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe Education Department to offer tutoring for students at the Pascua Yaqui Tribe-University of Arizona Microcampus. 

Program leaders are exploring ways to use digital tools to reach students in more remote areas.