For Temple students and Philadelphia residents Zuliesuivie Ball and Iyasu Watts, the spark that ignited an interest in science came from Pennsylvania Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA), a Temple-hosted program that helps low-income students go on to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through challenging courses, mentors and training. Driving the program are the high expectations of Jamie Bracey, Temple's director of STEM education, outreach and research. North Philadelphia "is going to be the renaissance place for education," she said.