NAS STUDENT TEXAS TRIP IS FULL OF STEM
By Tiamat Gustafson, Nay Ah Shing Librarian
Nay Ah Shing’s upper school students traveled to Texas to at tend the annual American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s (AISES) national conference. The conference took place from October 3 to 5. The six NAS attendees included Jeremy Drumbeater, 12; Marcus Bugg, 12; RaySean Bugg, 12; Bryce Cash, 13; Cass Sam, 12; and Phoenix Potter, 12; and three adult chaperones. The conference took place on the traditional lands of the Lipan Apache, Tonkawa, Caddo, Jumanos, and Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nations in San Antonio, Texas. This land acknowledgment was featured within the AISES conference program affirming AISES’ commitment to supporting Indigenous scientists and leaders.
The yearly conference focuses on the educational and professional development of Indigenous students in North America in preparation for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This year’s conference was titled Rivers of Resilience: Sustaining Indigenous Innovation. Students attended educational workshops, professional net working receptions, talking circles, and a student social dance. “There were a lot of classes I wanted to go to,” said chaperone Dallas Hecimovich. Engineering in Indian Health Service was one of the workshop sessions attended by the NAS students. Health services clinics and hospitals employ engineers to pro vide engineering services to health care facilities like water and waste management services to tribal infrastructures. The workshop featured speakers covering the different types of engineering career tracks, projects, internship opportunities, benefits, and tips on how to apply for jobs. “It really was focused on pre-college preparation,” said Hecimovich.
Another workshop the NAS students attended was titled AISES and Native Financial Cents. This session gamified financial planning and budgeting. Students played roles in making informed spending decisions to purchase a car, find housing, pay for groceries, taxes, student loans, and more. The work shop impressed upon participants the important financial literacy concepts of budgeting, shopping, and prioritizing a trade off between needs and wants.
Previously, many of these students were members of the NAS Lego League, a program that introduced the basics of engineering and computer programming by constructing Lego-based robots. The NAS Lego League received a Break through Award for the Innovation Project in a Lego robotics competition in Otsego, MN in 2023. “The seed for these kids really was planted when they won that award,” said Abinoojii yag Principal Lehtitia Weiss. She continued, “We really want to do everything we can to make sure they continue to have these amazing opportunities.”
As described on the AISES website, the foundational beliefs of AISES recognizes Indigenous knowledge as science and Indigenous Peoples are America’s first scientists. This core belief drives home the understanding of traditional practices coexisting and enriching modern science. Hecimovich emphasized the importance of NAS students immersing themselves in the shared space of traditional knowledge systems and STEM education while at the conference. “I’m really grateful to AISES for giving the students the opportunity to see their peers involved in STEM."
Attending the AISES conference was more than just an academic experience for the NAS students. It was also an opportunity to connect with the larger national community of Native students and professionals. By participating in the conference, these students were able to see how their cultural heritage is relevant to the work they are doing in STEM classes. One NAS student looked around the conference assembly and noted, “I feel like I know everyone here.” This connection to culture is a cornerstone of AISES’ mission, and it serves to inspire students to continue pursuing their goals both in and out of the classroom. These students are now advancing to robotics. Nay Ah Shing’s American Indian Parent Coordinator, Rodney Berg, will be starting the after-school robotics club for grades 7-12. The club will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning October 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. and offer opportunities for students to engage in robotics and STEM activities.
