NAISEF

Hosted by the American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES), this annual event brings American Indian and Alaska Native students, in grades 5-12, together annually to participate in a national Native American science fair. Unlike other science fairs, NAISEF includes a traditional project category, which is judged by volunteer Native American judges. Grand Award winners are selected to attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), sponsored by the Society for Science and the Public, which takes place annually in May.

NAISEF offers a great opportunity for students through the cash prizes and scholarships students can win. In addition, the exposure and experience students gain stays with them as they progress through their college and professional careers.

Hotel:

Hyatt Regency Albuquerque (2 blocks from Convention Center)
330 Tijeras NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Reservations: 1-800-233-1234
Rates: $119 single/double; $144 triple; $169 quad

 

In order to participate in NAISEF:

1. A school must be an AISES Pre-College Affiliate and students must be American Indian or Alaska Native*. Please contact our Information Systems Coordinator to verify your affiliation status, at 505-765-1052 x 109.
2. All projects must adhere to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) rules and guidelines. The ISEF Rules and Guidelines may be found on the following website, www.societyforscience.org/isef/index.asp.
3. All projects must be reviewed and approved by the NAISEF Scientific Review Committee (SRC).
4. Students can be in 5-12 grades only.

*For Team projects—majority of team members must be American Indian or Alaska Native

NAISEF EXPO

The third annual NAISEF EXPO will be held in conjunction with the 2010 NAISEF, March 11-12, 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The EXPO will feature hands-on demos, interactive science displays, and informal science education. In a hands-on setting, organizations can showcase educational pathways to these exciting careers and demonstrate the excitement of studying science and engineering. For more information on how your organization can participate, view this brochure.

 

2009 NAISEF "A Universe of Opportunities" Highlights

The 2009 National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair (NAISEF) kicked off with a bang in St. Paul, Minnesota – not so much a bang but a rousing drum beat courtesy of Standing Rock at the Opening Ceremony. A prayer, led by Jerry Dearly, Oglala Lakota, of the Saint Paul Public Schools, followed to help set the tone for the event. Following a greeting from Pamala Silas, AISES CEO, students welcomed Navy Lieutenant Kenneth Vargas, a citizen of Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, to the stage. Lt. Vargas inspired the students with the personal story of his collegiate, professional and military career. 

Dr. Eric Jolly, President of the Science Museum of Minnesota was next to the stage for the keynote address. Dr. Jolly, a member of the Cherokee Nation, amused the crowd with his stories of his childhood spent at his grandmother’s home while his hands were busy weaving a basket. With every loop he made, he incorporated scientific and mathematic principles, explaining to the audience how science is all around us, from the most complicated formulas to the beauty of a basket. Using the basket as a metaphor for life, Dr. Jolly wove in his inspirational message of how cultural traditions build a strong foundation and with patience and perseverance, the finished product will stand strong and the outside will mirror the inside. It was a meaningful opening to an exciting journey in a new city.

Once again, AISES gave viewers an eye into the world of NAISEF with its second year of webcasting. Through an Innovation Generation grant from the Motorola Foundation, AISES was able to stream live from the Judges Hall, EXPO Hall and Awards Ceremony. In addition to a real time look at the events as they unfolded, AISES interviewed several students, judges, expo participants, parents and teachers. Hearing from the participants gave insight into the work, dedication and effort made by students as they strove to attend NAISEF to compete.

Also in its second year was the EXPO. There were 26 booths with hands-on exhibits and useful information. Among all of the science and engineering was one vendor booth doing a great job representing the Native arts of the region. Also included in the EXPO area was the Math Competition, which had 58 participants.
Two booths, the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology and the US Navy, had robots. At the General Electric booth, students were taught to make paper airplanes, while at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and National Security Agency booths students were challenged to decipher messages in different ways. The Army Corps of Engineers taught students about the engineering necessary to build a dome, and the United States Forest Service asked the age of a tree using a slice displaying the concentric rings of time. The EXPO, with all of its activities and demonstrations, gave NAISEF participants the opportunity to continue their exploration of science and technology beyond the judging process.

At the awards ceremony, Standing Rock Drum once again started with an opening song. Dave Dahl, Chief Meteorologist for KSTP, was soon introduced to the stage where he kept an attentive crowd as he announced winners of each category and special award.

Join us next year, March 11-13, 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico!