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Science fair smarts: what you need to know to be prepared

 

 

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GET READY FOR THE FAIR: YOUR SCIENCE FAIR PRIMER

 

It’s science fair season! For some students, this annual event has become a tradition to look forward to. For others, it’s a daunting new challenge. Whatever your experience level may be, entering a science fair is about much more than competing. The experience presents an opportunity that could influence your next steps in school, or even your career. And it’s not all about winning in the traditional sense — many students have walked away without an official award, but with the lasting prize of a new mentor, peer network, or professional aspiration.

 

Participating in a science fair doesn’t have to be complicated. Most experts agree that the path to a meaningful entry begins with focus and determination.

ON TOPIC

McKalee Steen, Vanderbilt University

 

Science fair veteran McKalee Steen, Cherokee, is a junior majoring in earth and environmental science at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. Her ultimate goal is to obtain a PhD and continue doing environmental research. During the academic year, she participates in research through her school’s Civil and Environmental Engineering department exploring the characterization of cement-geomaterial interactions. In the summer of 2018 she worked at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M., conducting research through the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship. Steen has also been an active leader on her campus in Native Americans in Tennessee Interacting at Vanderbilt (NATIVe) and the Vanderbilt American Indian Science and Engineering Society (VAISES) College Chapter. She will serve as president for both organizations during the 2018–2019 academic year. Here Steen shares a few insights on lessons she learned in science fairs and the benefits of participating.

 

How did you get started with science fairs?

I’ve participated in science research and competed in science fairs since the fifth grade, and I participated in the AISES science fair in seventh through 12th grade. For me, science fair was required fifth through eighth grade at our school but became optional in ninth through 12th grade. I loved it so much and I was so passionate about science research that I kept doing it. In high school I had the opportunity to compete at local, state, national, and international levels. I was a three-time finalist for ISEF [Intel’s International Science and Engineering Fair] and a four-time finalist for ISWEEEP [the International Sustainable World Energy, Engineering, and Environmental Project].

PRE-COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES

 

College Horizons is an annually occurring college admission workshop for Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Native American sophomores and juniors in high school. It is held each summer at different college campus partners. The 2019 partners are the University of Michigan (June 15–21) and Brown University (June 22–28).

 

Applicants must be a member of an Arizona or Montana American Indian tribe, must reside in the state of Arizona or Montana, and must be in good academic standing. Applicants must plan to attend an accredited public or private, two- or four-year college, university, or technical college or a vocational, trade, or professional school full time in the United States. The deadline to apply is April 1.

 

The Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program application period is now open for current seventh-graders. The program offers some of the most generous pre-college scholarship and educational support to exceptionally promising students from across the nation who have financial need. Cooke Young Scholars receive comprehensive advising and financial support from the eighth grade through high school.

 

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) Robotics Internship Program is a 10-week summer program for students majoring in a field related to robotics, manufacturing, or engineering. The program provides opportunities for high school seniors, undergraduate and graduate students, and postgraduates to intern at federal national laboratories and private-sector organizations throughout the United States. Apply by March 5.

 

Genes in Space is a science contest that challenges students to design original DNA experiments that address real-life challenges and opportunities of space exploration. The winning experiment is conducted by astronauts on the International Space Station! The contest is free and does not require equipment. Proposals will be judged solely on their creative and scientific merit. The deadline to enter is April 19.

 

Universities and Department of Defense (DoD) labs are currently accepting applications from high school and college students. The AEOP apprenticeships are an excellent way to learn about STEM research in a university or DoD laboratory. All students receive a stipend during their summer STEM experience. The application deadline is Feb. 28.

UNDERGRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

 

The Cultural Sovereignty Fellow will support the development of national policy in Indian affairs and provide research, analysis, and writing to support programs that include youth education, juvenile justice issues, Indian child welfare, sacred site protection, repatriation, protection of cultural heritage, federal acknowledgment, environmental security, and other program issues. The fellow will receive a stipend starting at $35,000. The amount will depend on the applicant’s degree program and level of experience. The deadline to apply is April 1.

 

Scholarship applications for fall 2019–spring 2020 will be accepted starting May 31. The deadline for applications is July 1. Late applications or those that do not contain all required information will not be considered.

 

AISES-CRPC is offering a pair of $2,500 scholarships for Native undergrad/grad students who are pursuing a degree in engineering or sciences at a university in Idaho, Oregon, or Washington.

 

The goal of the ESIL certificate is to provide students with the training and experience needed to qualify for employment as liaisons between tribal and non-tribal environmental agencies to address the care and representation of Indigenous lands. Scholarships are available (up to $10,000 per year for up to four years) for undergraduate students attending CU Denver to complete their biology, civil engineering, or environmental science degree concurrent with their completion of the ESIL certificate.

 

Objectives of the Native Explorers Program are to introduce American Indians to careers in science and medicine; increase the number of American Indians who earn degrees in science and medicine; participate in traditional ways and culture; and provide a powerful network of professionals, scientists, and physicians in federal programs (National Park Service), state agencies (museums and universities), and sovereign nations (federally recognized tribes). The application deadline is March 1.

 

The American Indian College Fund has created a grant program to highlight its “Think Indian” campaign and scholarship program for Native students. The grants are intended to encourage institutions that serve Native students to promote the positive message of “Think Indian” and the vibrancy of Native students and to highlight the support provided by Native scholarship programs on their campus and in their community. Grant funds can be used for any activity or project that will promote the “Think Indian” campaign and scholarships in your community. The deadline to apply is March 15.

 

Students accepted into the eight-week program will learn to conduct hands-on research with archaeological human skeletal remains from Bronze Age Arabia, receive mentorship from guest scientists, and engage in public outreach. Student travel (up to $450), housing, and field trip fees will be covered by the National Science Foundation, in addition to a $500/week stipend. Apply by March 23.

 

The College Board, a national educational organization, is conducting a search for four summer interns to work in one of the selected departments: Communications, Learning Lab, Springboard, or Membership. The internship program presents a unique opportunity to highly talented students who wish to develop strengths in core skills and obtain real-world work experience.

 

The Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) announces the 2019 Great Lakes Summer Fellows Program, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab (GLERL). The Great Lakes Summer Fellows Program exposes students to a broad range of disciplines and provides an exciting opportunity for students to conduct research in the Great Lakes region under the mentorship of a CIGLR or GLERL scientist. The deadline to apply is Feb. 22.

 

The Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute (MCI) is offering short-term opportunities to work on conservation and conservation research projects with conservators of art and historic works. These internships are intended mainly for the summer of 2019, but consideration will be given to projects at other times during the year. Preference will be given to applicants interested in a career in conservation, those currently enrolled in conservation training programs, and graduate students in related subjects. A stipend may be offered for a period of up to 10 weeks. Apply by Feb. 25.

 

NIHB Health Policy Fellows are a diverse group of talented Native youth who are dedicated to making a difference in their communities. Fellows work directly with their tribal leadership to identify one priority health issue. Then, with the support of program mentors, fellows learn how to analyze policy in their issue area, create informed recommendations, and advocate for change. Apply by March 1.

NEWS FROM AISES

 

Join us for the 2019 AISES Leadership Summit March 14–16 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, N.C. The goal of the AISES Leadership Summit is to build the skill and aptitude levels of AISES members in the realm of both professional and career development to better prepare them to attain jobs and careers in STEM fields.

 

Every spring the seven Regional Conferences gather student and professional members to champion each other and expand their knowledge and skills through a wide variety of workshops and sessions.

 

Early-career faculty members, post-doctoral professionals, and graduate students in engineering, apply for the ASSIST Travel Grant and attend the Faculty Career Workshop March 14 and the AISES Leadership Summit March 14–16.

 

AISES has extended the deadlines to submit applications for internship and scholarship opportunities for the 2019–2020 academic year. The new internship application deadline is Feb. 28; the new scholarship application deadline is March 31.

 

Student representatives evaluate common issues and concerns and recommend ways to improve member services at AISES. They also serve as liaisons between the AISES office and the national and regional student bodies.

 

Join the 2019 National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair (NAISEF) at Oklahoma State University! Energy Challenge (EC) is now open for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian 6th- to 12th-grade students to participate.

 

March 7–8, Sulphur, Okla.

To ensure Native students are prepared to engage in computer science and the technology-driven fields of STEM, AISES seeks to convene a diverse group of stakeholders committed to increasing access to and improving computer science education for Native students.

SAVE THE DATE

 

Oct. 10–12

Milwaukee, Wis.

RESOURCES FOR AISES MEMBERS

 

Find NAISEF and Energy Challenge teacher and student tool kits and other resources .

 

Also, the February 2017 edition of the Pathways newsletter included pointers on .

 

ONLINE RESOURCES

GRADUATE/POSTDOC OPPORTUNITIES

 

Every year in March, Google’s Women Techmakers program hosts International Women’s Day summits in locations across the globe, and we are excited to invite you to apply to a summit near you! The program will feature phenomenal speaker spotlights, new interactive workshops, and of course, networking with an amazing community of people.

 

The Cultural Sovereignty Fellow will support the development of national policy in Indian affairs and provide research, analysis, and writing to support programs that include youth education, juvenile justice issues, Indian child welfare, sacred site protection, repatriation, protection of cultural heritage, federal acknowledgment, environmental security, and other program issues. The fellow will receive a stipend starting at $35,000. The amount will depend on the applicant’s degree program and level of experience. The deadline to apply is April 1.

 

The Dissertation Institute is a week-long opportunity for underrepresented engineering doctoral students (African American, Native American, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic American) currently writing their dissertation or dissertation proposal. Participants will be able to build new writing habits, work on their dissertation or dissertation proposal, and learn skills that will help them continue making progress when they return to their institutions.

 

This program provides funding for American Indian/Alaska Native graduate students conducting scientific research under the supervision of an academic mentor. Financial support is awarded on an hourly basis (maximum of 20 hours/week) until completion of research (not to exceed 1,000 hours). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

 

The Gordon Research Seminar on Applied and Environmental Microbiology is a unique forum for early-career researchers to present their latest results, exchange cutting-edge research approaches and ideas, and network with other peer-level scientists during two oral scientific sessions and two interactive poster sessions. Applications for this meeting must be submitted by June 15.

 

Physics and physical science departments at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) or community colleges can apply for a $1,000 grant to bring guest speakers to their institution for colloquium or seminar presentations. This is a unique opportunity for students to gain exposure to the breadth of physics research. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis.

 

 

 

 

OUR MISSION: The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a national nonprofit organization focused on 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.

 

Paths to Opportunities and Winds of Change are published exclusively by AISES Publishing Inc.

 

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