Pre-College Programs

The focus of the Pre-College Program is “Awareness and Retention.” AISES engages in a multitude of programs and events that aim to ensure students are given exposure to first-rate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs and events. These experiences and opportunities support students in discovering, pursuing, and sustaining their interest in STEM as they prepare for their college careers and beyond.

The Pre-College Program supports early childhood through high school education and students in STEM studies through teacher training, regional science bowls, science fairs, leadership development, mentorship, scholarships, internships and other programming designed to support students and their families.

Pre-College Programs

National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair

The National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair (NAISEF) is an annual event for 5th to 12th grade students. The NAISEF is an affiliated fair with the Society for Science and the Public (SSP) affiliated science fair and is part of the larger SSP fair network. The NAISEF differs from other SSP-affiliated fairs in that it is an in-person and virtual fair.

AISES awards prizes to senior and junior division winners. As well as, awards travel and registration stipends for the Senior Division Grand Award winners and their sponsors to attend the International Science and Engineering Fair.

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2020 NAIVSEF Winners

Congratulations to all 2020 NAIVSEF winners! Read more about the 2020 NAISEF winners.

Junior Division Awards

First Place and the AISES Advancing Agricultural Science Opportunities for Native Americans Award

  • Lyra E. (Pawnee) from Latta Middle School – “Measuring Catalase Enzyme Activity with a Sodium Alginate-Yeast Vehicle”

Senior Division Awards

Oklahoma Tribal Conservation Advisory Council Award

  • Hayden F. (Cherokee) from Westville Junior High – “Using the Power We Have....Listen Up!”
  • Liam P. (Cherokee) from Oklahoma School of Innovation and Experiential Learning – “The L.I.F.E. Study: Linguistic Interpretation of our Future Expressions”

Native Heritage Award

  • Alesia N. (Navajo) from Navajo Preparatory School – “Establishing a Radon Region on the Navajo Nation's Abandoned Uranium Mines”
  • Keona H. (Navajo) from Navajo Preparatory School – “Particulates and Toxic Gases: The Hidden Harm in Wood Fires Used in Traditional Hogans And Their Correlation with Asthma and Lung Cancer”
  • Zoey C. (Bois Fort Ojibwa) & Morgan B. from Northeast Range High School – “How do Different Metallic Mordants Affect the Color of Natural Dyes”

AISES Advancing Agricultural Science Opportunities for Native Americans Award

  • Alesia N. (Navajo) from Navajo Preparatory School – “Establishing a Radon Region on the Navajo Nation's Abandoned Uranium Mines”

Third Place Award

  • Keysha K. (Cherokee) from Westville High School – “Sexual Dimorphism in Red Ear Sliders: What are You?? Male or Female”

First Place Award - Tie

  • Alesia N. (Navajo) from Navajo Preparatory School – “Establishing a Radon Region on the Navajo Nation's Abandoned Uranium Mines”
  • Anna G. (Native Hawaiian) from Kamehameha Kapalama – “Building an Efficient Reversible Fuel Cell Stack for Use as a Backup Power Source”

The Energy Challenge (EC) is an energy-specific engineering and science fair, where 6th to 12th grade students use a two-phase process to create a real-world energy solution!

The top solutions are awarded a trip to Washington, D.C. to receive their awards, present their projects to Indian Affairs leadership, and participate in educational activities during their stay in our nation’s capital. EC is possible with the partnership of the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, Division of Energy and Mineral Development.

Learn More

2019 Energy Challenge Grand Prize Winners:

13 Energy Challenge engineering projects were submitted by 26 students either individually or as a team from the following schools:

  • Chinle High School
  • Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
  • Lapwai High School
  • Lapwai Middle School
  • Mescalero Apache School

Of those students, the three individual Grand Prize Winners selected were:

  • Anna Grondolsky (Native Hawaiian) - Testing Reversible Fuel Cells with Various Electrolytes and Catalysts
  • Jake Uyechi  (Native Hawaiian) -  Methods to Produce Graphene for Use in Electronics
  • Joshua Parker - Portable Hydropower Generator in Sluice Gates

About Our Partner, the DEMD

The Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED), Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD) office is the primary office responsible for fulfilling Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs' trust responsibility to Indian Tribes and allottees concerning the development of their conventional energy, renewable energy, and mineral resources on Trust lands.   

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Visit the DEMD online at: https://www.bia.gov/as-ia/ieed/division-energy-and-mineral-development

 

SPRK-ing Interest in Computer Science

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is partnering with Motorola Solutions Foundation, General Motors, and Comcast NBCUniversal to bring the popular SPRK-ing Interest in Computer Science program to your school!

AISES’ SPRK-ing Interest in STEM+CS program is a fun coding program that combines STEM and computer science (STEM+CS) to increase the awareness, interest, and competency in STEM+CS among Native K-12 students. The SPRK program uses cutting edge technology, powered by Sphero robots, that gets students out of their seats to experience real-world applications with hands-on STEM activities that incorporate Native culture. Through the generous support of our funders, AISES will select schools to receive the SPRK-ing Interest program with the following benefits:

  • Sphero BOLT PowerPack that includes 15 Sphero BOLT Robots  
  • 15 Bluetooth capable tablets with the Sphero Edu app installed
  • Virtual or on-site (depending on COVID-19 restrictions) 2-hour teacher/staff training, introducing teachers to Sphero Education resources and recommendations for incorporating Sphero and coding into curricula
  • Virtual preparation or onsite (depending on COVID-19 restrictions) 2-hour activity for the students 
  • AISES’ SPRK-ing Interest Lesson Booklet
  • Sphero Educator Guide 
  • Educator access to customized Sphero online training at the virtual Sphero Academy,
  • Access to 100’s of BOLT activities and curriculum on Sphero Edu.

AISES is committed to substantially increasing the representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, First Nations, and other indigenous peoples of North America in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers. As part of this commitment, the SPRK program supports engaging Native Pre-College (K-12) students in discovering, pursuing, and sustaining interest in STEM+CS. Criteria for schools participating in AISES’ SPRK-ing Interest program:  

  • K-12 public, private, and tribal schools with serving a significant percentage of Native students. Priority will be given to Middle Schools.
  • A minimum of 50 students participating in program. 
  • Schools with emerging STEM programs and/or schools seeking to increase internal capacity to deliver STEM+CS curriculum using technology.
  • Availability for SPRK-ing program visit by AISES staff during January, February, March, and April 2021. 
  • Availability of a large room (library, oversized classroom, gym) for 2 days for the teachers/staff training and hands-on activities with students.
  • Commitment of a two-hour teacher/staff training by AISES staff. 
  • Availability of students for a total of two hours for hands-on intro activity. It can include working one day with students during their normal class period and the following day during normal class periods.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please fill out the following form:

Contact Rennea Howell, Program Officer, with questions or for more information at rhowell@aises.org or +1 720-758-9667

Expanding Computer Science Opportunities for Native Girls

AISES has partnered with Women of Color in Computing Collaborative to expand computer science education for Native girls in Native-serving high schools. 
 
This project aims to increase interest, engagement, and participation in computing education (with an emphasis on Advanced Placement Computer Science participation and success) among Native high school students and girls/LGBTQ+/Two-Spirit students. The project will develop a series of courses from introductory level to Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science, developed to include culturally relevant activities and modules in each course aligned with tribal cultural values, vision, and goals for sovereignty.
 
This project will provide:
  1. Curricula for a sequence of three (3) project-based, culturally relevant computer science courses for Native American students:
    • Introduction to Computer Science and Careers in CS
    • Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles (AP CS P)
    • Advanced Placement Computer Science A (AP CS A)
  2. Professional development for in-service CS teachers 
  3. Support for a summer 2020 outreach event to inform families and students about the new computer science course pathway.

We are seeking Native American-serving high schools to partner with on this important initiative! Qualifying participants include:

  • High schools (grades 9-12) that have enrollments which include Native American students
  • Potential in-service teacher partnership capacity and a supportive school leadership

If you are interested in this opportunity fill out the interest form:

Interest Form

 

 

About the Women of Color in Computing Collaborative

The Women of Color Computing Collaborative aims to increase the number of women and girls of color pursuing and completing CS degrees, and participating in the tech workforce, entrepreneurship and venture capital. We aim to do this by conducting and disseminating research on:

  • Data trends among women of color in computing education and career pathways
  • Barriers to participation in computing among women of color
  • Innovative and effective interventions and strategies to increase participation in computing among women of color

For more information please contact Kathy DeerInWater, Director of Programs and Research at kdeerinwater@aises.org.

Intel Next Generation of Native Coders: Applied Computer Science Principles and Career Readiness Course

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) has partnered with Intel to expand computer science education and career readiness in schools in Arizona, California, and Oregon serving Native American students.

This project aims to increase the number of Native American students in the technology and engineering fields,  in academia and professionally.

The Intel Next Generation of Native Coders project is a continued collaboration between AISES and Intel. AISES is excited to expand the initiative, which started with three schools on the Navajo Nation Reservation, by offering the Applied Computer Science Principles and Career Readiness Course to four additional schools!  This two-semester course combines applied computer science, engineering, and college and career readiness in technology and engineering fields. The course features culturally-contextualized lessons to further engage Native learners. 

The goal of the course is to engage students and prepare them for computer science degrees and careers through:

  • Hands-on independent projects
  • Technical education integrating Native culture 
  • Interactive computer science (CS) skill-building activities 
  • Professional and peer mentorship, and 
  • College, career, and leadership development

Interest forms are being accepted now!

If you are interested in this opportunity for your school and students, please submit an interest form which can be found here

Learn More

About Our Partner  

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), a leader in the semiconductor industry, is shaping the data-centric future with computing and communications technology that is the foundation of the world’s innovations. The company’s engineering expertise is helping address the world’s greatest challenges as well as helping secure, power and connect billions of devices and the infrastructure of the smart, connected world – from the cloud to the network to the edge and everything in between. Find more information about Intel at newsroom.intel.com and intel.com .

Annual AISES National Conference 

The annual AISES National Conference is a unique, three-day event focusing on educational, professional, and workforce development for Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers. It attracts over 2000 members and attendees who are Indigenous high school and college students, educators, and professionals, including representatives from Tribal Nations, Tribal enterprises, and Indigenous-owned businesses. The conference also includes the LARGEST college and career fair in the U.S. for Indigenous students and professionals! Exhibitors at the College and Career fair represent a diverse range of corporations, educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, Tribes, and Indigenous-owned businesses.

For 43 years, the AISES National Conference has provided:

  • STEM career pathway awareness and exploration
  • Professional development skill-building workshops
  • Career and community leadership development sessions
  • Research education, training, exchange, and dissemination
  • Networking
  • Mentorship
  • Career, internship, and academic opportunities
  • Pathways for integrating STEM research and careers with indigenous culture and identity
  • Interactions with Native elders and cultural ceremonies to motivate and empower Indigenous students and professionals to persist and excel in their STEM studies and careers

For more information visit the AISES National Conference website at: 

https://conference.aises.org.

AISES Regional Conferences 

AISES’ Regional Conferences take place every spring and provide an opportunity for AISES College and Professional Chapters to gather and share information, form partnerships, and to network with each other and with selected presenters and partners.

Each regional conference has a number of informative sessions and activities for both college and high school students. Among the activities provided are mini career fairs, poster presentations, and engineering competitions. AISES’ student representatives and the host chapters for the following year are selected at the regional conferences.

Local and national professionals within a variety of fields provide workshops, seminars, and discussion groups about a wide variety of topics. Generally, each Regional Conference host develops a theme or focus area for the Regional Conference (environmental, bridging native cultures with science, etc.).

The host chapter for the following spring’s regional conference is determined during the Regional Conference held each spring.

Chapters interested in hosting the regional conference indicate their interest in hosting and make a verbal presentation regarding their resources, planning, and ability to host the conference. Each college chapter in "Good Standing" is allowed one vote; the majority of votes determines the location of the regional conference.  

View Upcoming Regional Conferences

Annual AISES Leadership Summit 

The annual AISES Leadership Summit is perfect for students from high school through postdoctoral – as well as emerging and mature professionals – who want to hone the myriad skills they need to be at their best in a rapidly changing world.

This program delivers on strategies that equip Native science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students and leaders with the knowledge, tools, and wisdom to succeed within the organizational structures in their work or academic lives.

Through sessions and workshops, Leadership Summit participants learn how to fulfill their potential as STEM elders as they pursue their career and academic goals. We invite you to join us and experience an innovative leadership development program that incorporates relationships, collaboration, and cultural foundations that will inform and support the unique leader in you.

The Summit is leadership in action from elders, mentors, researchers, students, and professionals that supports the emotional and the motivation in all of us. Together participants inform, interpret, and utilize STEM skills, knowledge, and opportunities to meet challenges, solve problems, build readiness, and spark innovation that gives individuals the ability to succeed in a highly competitive global economy.

Goals of the Summit

  • Enhance the skills and knowledge of AISES members as they pursue various career development paths and career ladders
  • Provide AISES members with support and build their confidence to transition into the STEM workforce
  • Develop AISES professional members as role models for high school, college, graduate, and postdoctoral students.
  • Provide an environment that allows AISES members to “linger and learn” from each other.

For more information visit the AISES Leadership Summit website at 

summit.aises.org

Scholarships  

AISES offers a universe of opportunities to students! Our students choose to move fiercely forward in their educational journeys by learning and acquiring new skills that will help them in meeting the ever-changing STEM needs of our communities.

At AISES, we invest more than just scholarship support into our students; we invest confidence, trust and a large community of support and encouragement for our students. Year after year, our AISES scholars bring potential and limitless possibilities for the future of STEM, each working towards advancing his or her opportunities in STEM career fields.

Among our current and past scholarship programs, sponsors have included Chevron, Boeing, Intel, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Navy Civilian Careers and many others. 

View Our Current Scholarships.

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI)

With the generous support of the Cherokee Preservation Foundation and The Helen A. Powers Fund, AISES is serving high/middle school students who are citizens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in Western North Carolina. Our goal is to increase awareness, interest, and competency in STEM and Computer Science (STEM+CS) among Eastern Band of Cherokee middle school students; thus, preparing them for a 21st Century workforce.

AISES provides EBCI middle schools with cutting edge technology, such as, Discover Drones and Sphero BOLTS (robotics equipment), which is designed for use in educational settings. AISES also works with Eastern Band of Cherokee educators to provide culturally contextualized curriculum to engage students in these hands-on STEM activities. With the support of the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, students and teachers from Cherokee Central High School are given the opportunity to attend the AISES National Conference each Fall.

For more information please contact:  Taylor Kingsbery, AISES Program Officer, tkingsbery@aises.org

Cherokee Preservation Foundation is an independent nonprofit foundation established in 2000 as part of the Tribal-State Compact amendment between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the State of  North Carolina. The Cherokee Preservation Foundation’s mission is to preserve native culture, protect and enhance the natural environment, and create appropriate and diverse economic opportunities in order to improve the quality of life for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and their neighbors in western North Carolina. 

The Helen A. Powers Fund provides one-year grants to organizations providing education and healthcare services to the people of Western North Carolina. Its mission is to serve the people of western North Carolina by supporting organizations committed to education and healthcare. 

Cherokee Preservation Foundation Logo

Cherokee Central HS Students at the AISES 2019 Leadership Summit in Cherokee, NC

Cherokee Central HS Students Class Robotics Challenge 2019

Cherokee Central HS Students Class Robotics Challenge 2019

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Education

With the generous support of the U.S. Department of Education, AISES is working on several four-year-long projects which provide culturally relevant K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming: 

  • Project: "Traditional Knowledge, New Ideas, a Better Cheyenne River"
    • Cheyenne Eagle Butte Schools
  • Project: "Woksape Tate Topa: Community Partnership to Increase College and Career Readiness"
    • Dupree School
    • Takini School
    • Timber Lake School
    • Tiospaye Topa School

In collaboration with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, AISES seeks to increase interest and engagement in STEM subjects among students of all ages, build educators' capacity to support students in STEM, and generate Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe parent and community support of and engagement in STEM studies and careers.

AISES provides a wide variety of events and activities such as AISES led in-class lessons, professional development trips for educators, STEM summer enrichment camps for kids, community STEM nights, college preparation workshops, career-readiness webinar series, STEM field trips, and support for after-school AISES Affiliate Club activities.

**Due to COVID-19 precautions, all 2020 activities were held virtually**

Virtual Robot Building Class

AISES also provides schools with STEM supplies such as Discover Drones and Sphero BOLTS (robotics equipment). AISES collaborates with educators to provide a culturally relevant, hands-on, and engaging curriculum that incorporates Native language and culture. For example, one lesson contains Lakota star knowledge. 

Soil Science

Students and teachers are also allowed to attend the AISES National Conference each Fall. Student participation is encouraged in AISES' National American Indian Virtual Science and Engineering (NAIVSEF)and the AISES Energy Challenge, an energy-related virtual science and engineering fair competition. 

For more information, please contact Taylor Kingsbery, Program Officer, tkingsbery@aises.org.

Joseph Moreno, Cheyenne Eagle Butte Schools & Tiospaye Topa School

Joseph Ferdinand Moreno is a high school Science Teacher in Cheyenne Eagle Butte School District 20-1.  He was born in the Philippines and came to the U.S. on an Exchange Cultural Teacher program to teach at the Cheyenne Eagle Butte School in 2016.  Joseph has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of San Carlos (Philippines) and is passionate about serving in the Lakota community.  He has been a teacher for ten years.  Joseph is enjoying his work as the AISES NYCP Cheyenne Eagle Butte and Tiospaye Topa School Program Manager which he sees as another way he can help his students.

Tiffany Pesicka, Dupree School

 Tiffany Pesicka is one of the AISES Native Youth Community Project (NYCP) Program Manager contractors located on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota.  She is also the CTE Instructor at the Dupree School District. An enrolled member of Kul Wicasa Oyate, Tiffany grew up working on her family ranch on Lower Brule Sioux reservation and spent many years helping at the family sale barn. At sixteen, Tiffany began working for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and continued to work there for close to eight years. Her background in ranching and work at NRCS and helping on the family ranch, is what led to Tiffany's decision to study range science at South Dakota State University. Tiffany found her passion for teaching and began her teaching career at Dupree School. "I have poured my heart and soul into offering as much as I can to my students at Dupree."  Tiffany lives on a cow/calf operation ranch with her husband and son in Dupree, SD. The family enjoys taking care of their ranch, fishing, a good meal with friends, and a good card game of cribbage or pinochle. 

Veronica Reichert, Takini School & Timber Lake Schools

Veronica Reichert is a proactive woman who has made an impact on the people around her. Starting from youth.  Working the field of disability and mental health, she served as a director at the Center for Women and Teenagers for more than a decade. Her work involved helping teenagers and mothers in crisis situations. Veronica holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work (nongovernmental organization management), from Cavendish University in Uganda and a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Mayville State University, North Dakota.  Math has always been Reichert's passion and she enjoys helping students grasp mathematical language and concepts.  Veronica is thankful that AISES gives her the opportunity to inspire and motivate young people in STEM education on the Cheyenne River Reservation where she lives with her husband and two children.

U.S. Department of Education

 

AISES and the Coalition of SW OK Tribes Economic Development Partnership

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), Comanche Nation, Kiowa Tribe, and Wichita and Affiliated Tribes have partnered on an Administration of Native Americans Social and Economic Development Strategies (SEDS) project. 

AISES and the Comanche Nation, Kiowa Tribe, and Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, collectively referred to as the Coalition of SW OK Tribes, are collaborating on the development and implementation of programs in three focus areas—Asset Building, Career Pathways, and Entrepreneurship—to meet the economic development needs of the tribal communities of southwestern Oklahoma. This partnership will provide culturally relevant financial literacy, STEM college and career readiness, and STEM business development.

Through culturally relevant, financial education curriculum, a goal of the SEDS project is to increase the financial literacy of kids and teens living in tribal communities of SW OK by helping build skills such as learning how money works, how to open and maintain checking and savings accounts, how to budget, and understand student loans and other debt. 

For college and career readiness specific to STEM, the AISES and the partners want to encourage students looking to pursue college or careers in STEM by exposing them to STEM career awareness, teaching them to set goals, and attending workshops to be exposed to STEM careers and college majors. 

Lastly, the partners are adapting a culturally-contextualize series of STEM entrepreneurship and business development workshops to build the skill set of community members to develop, start, and maintain STEM businesses in southwestern Oklahoma.

For more information, please contact: Taylor Kingsbery, AISES Program Officer, programs@aises.org 

Circle of Support

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