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Preparing for Science Fair Season

 

 

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Preparing for Science Fair Season

 

Science fair season is here! It’s a time when you can get creative, delve into a project you’re passionate about, and test your nerves while you talk to the judges. Here are some tips to help you be not just prepared — but ready to knock it out of the park.

 

Choose a Topic You Care About

Before deciding on a topic or invention, make sure it’s something that’s meaningful to you. You are going to spend long hours working on this project (and some projects continue for two or three years), so you want to have a true interest in it. Think about your hobbies, your interests, and look at real world issues you encounter every day. Ask yourself what you wish you had that would make your life — or the lives of others — better or easier. You will find that your project becomes more and more interesting when it’s something you’re passionate about.

 

Don’t Get Discouraged

Once you’ve settled on your big idea, you’ll need to spend plenty of time researching, experimenting, and possibly even creating prototypes. Not everything will go according to plan — that’s science. Expect to hit some bumps along the way, but don’t get discouraged. Every misstep you make or obstacle you face provides you with more information to get where you want to go. A bump is simply an opportunity to pivot and move in a different direction. Many inventors try and fail multiple times before they are successful. So don’t let a setback bother you. Instead, use it as motivation to keep pushing forward.

 

 

ON TOPIC

Anna Quinlan, Stanford University

Stanford University freshman Anna Quinlan, Cherokee Nation, studies computer science and currently serves as a webmaster for the Stanford AISES College Chapter. Her goal is to become a physician-scientist and help improve health care in Indigenous communities. When Quinlan was in high school, she was a Grand Award winner at the AISES National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair. From there, she went on to represent AISES at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), where she placed second in biomedical engineering. Clearly Anna knows her way around a science fair, and she has some advice for students who are getting ready for their next competition.

 

What should students consider when choosing a topic for the science fair?

Choosing a topic has always been the hardest part for me, so don’t despair if you’re having trouble finding one. I found that the best way to find good project ideas was to identify a subject I was interested in, then read the scientific literature about it in order to find out what unanswered questions still remained. Those sorts of questions make awesome, intriguing science fair projects.

 

Is it better to present an unusual theory or to fully investigate a science fair favorite?

Investigating an unusual theory tends to be a better project because it’s “novel” research — research that hasn’t been done before — that’s what most high-level science projects tend to be. Also, it’s more interesting for you (and your judges)! Answering unexplored questions tends to be more satisfying than confirming a well-substantiated phenomenon.

 

Native American anthropologist and educator, David Lewis shines a light on our nation’s forgotten and suppressed tribal histories, and shares his knowledge with the next generation of thinkers and leaders. His courses, delivered online through Oregon State Ecampus, encourage students to challenge countless historic misconceptions about Pacific Northwest tribes.

PRE-COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES

 

The National Security Agency Gifted and Talented Program is only open to high school seniors. The program is designed for students who have demonstrated an aptitude for engineering, science, technology, and mathematics. Students work 10 to 12 weeks during the summer following their senior year.

 

CATALYST Academy is a one-week residential program for rising high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds who desire to learn about engineering and careers within an interactive milieu.

 

CURIE Academy is a one-week residential program for high school girls who excel in math and science. The focus is on rising juniors and seniors who may not have had prior opportunities to explore engineering but want to learn more about it in an interactive atmosphere.

 

NICWA is excited to announce that our 38th Annual Protecting Our Children National American Indian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect will take place in Denver, Colorado, from March 29–April 1, 2020. Conference attendees are a cross-section of experts, including child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice service providers; legal professionals; students; advocates for children; and tribal and federal leaders. Be a part of it as we explore this year's theme, Honoring Our Past, Present and Future Generations: Living Our Tribal Cultural Values and Beliefs.

 

 


UNDERGRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES

 

Students at all levels of their undergraduate work are sought for this program. Those studying chemical engineering, environmental engineering, education, chemistry, physics, math, and other technical majors are encouraged to apply. We accept freshmen to seniors and do hope to have a broad mix of students at various levels of their college careers. Don't hold back from applying just because you haven't had any research experience.

 

Are you looking for a cybersecurity internship that will challenge you and provide real opportunities to apply the skills that you are learning in college? GEICO’s Cybersecurity Summer Internship in the Washington, D.C., area will do all this and more!

 

The Minority Access National Internship Program is designed to allow talented undergraduate and graduate students experience the diversity and scope of career opportunities available in the federal government and other participating entities. The program provides students with the opportunity to merge academic theory with practical application in the workplace.

 

The Native American Research Internship is a dynamic summer research opportunity for Native American undergraduate junior and senior students who are interested in Health Science research. The internship is located at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is a 10-week, paid summer internship, funded by the National Institutes of Health.

 

Since 1994, the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) has offered student summer internships for Native American and other college students with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). This program provides the opportunity for students to gain hands-on skills with EPA or other governmental and tribal environmental offices.

 

New York, N.Y. – Science Publishing Group

We invite scholars and researchers to submit papers to the journals or to join the editorial board or reviewer team.

 

College Park, Md. – APS Guest Speaker Grant

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.

 

Denver, Colo.

The Environmental Stewardship of Indigenous Lands (ESIL) certificate is an exciting new educational opportunity at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), where the term Indigenous includes Native American, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hawaiian Native. This first-of-its-kind program provides training, internships, and job placement opportunities for students interested in environmental issues involving tribal and non-tribal entities.

 

GO PLACES WITH AISES

 

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The current AISES Internship Opportunities are the , the , the and the .

 

Each year, AISES recognizes outstanding individual achievement through the Professional Awards Program. Nominate candidates who deserve recognition for their work to advance programs and opportunities for Indigenous students and professionals in STEM education and careers.

 

Student Representatives evaluate common issues and concerns and make recommendations for ways to improve AISES’ member services. Be a voice for students in your region and work with others to make positive changes in AISES!

 

Every spring the seven Regional Conferences bring student and professional members together to champion each other and expand their knowledge and skills through a variety of workshops and sessions. Make your plans now to attend a regional conference and build a foundation that will enhance your STEM education and experience.

 

The 2020 NAISEF will be both an in-person and virtual science fair held at Oklahoma State University on April 4. NAISEF winners will receive cash prizes and the Grand Award winner for the Senior Division will receive a chance to participate in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Anaheim, Calif.

 

The 26th Annual Special College issue includes articles focused on paths to higher education. Read about what's new, and what's not new, in and how to navigate .

 

is *FREE* for pre-college and college students NOW! Join us!

 

SAVE THE DATE

 

Oct. 15–17, 2020

Spokane, Wash.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

 

Preparing for Science Fair

RESOURCES FOR AISES MEMBERS

 

Looking to show off your science prowess? Check in with an to find a science fair near you or how you can put your lab skills and creativity to work. With the help of an AISES Student Chapter, you can get on the path to the future you're striving for.

 

ONLINE RESOURCES

GRADUATE/POSTDOCTORAL OPPORTUNITIES

 

Applications are encouraged from American Indians and Alaska Natives with a demonstrated interest in cancer prevention and control. Applications will be available in January and due in March.

 

We were funded by NSF for a Critical Zone Research Coordination Network this year. As part of our proposal, we’re hoping to increase the diversity, inclusion, and access of researchers in “critical zone” science — earth surface sciences including hydrology, geology, atmospheric science, ecology, and the like — to bring in new ideas and new questions.

 

The American Association for the Advancement of Science is proud to offer a summer internship program for students interested in journalism as a career and who want to learn about science writing. Experience what it’s like to cover the scientific and technological issues that shape our global community.

 

The Selection Committee includes professionals in academia and the chemical industry, and some ACS Scholar Alumni. This committee reviews all completed, eligible applications to determine the best overall candidates. The highest-rated students are selected as scholarship recipients. Scholarships are awarded based on academic record, career objective, leadership ability, participation in school activities and/or academic research, and community service.

 

Are you looking for a Cybersecurity internship that will challenge you and provide real opportunities to apply the skills that you are learning in college? GEICO's Cybersecurity Summer Internship in the Washington, D.C., area will do all this and more! Reimagine insurance and learn more about our tech careers because we are Careers Unexpected.

 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering post-doctoral fellowships with the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL). TSL is seeking applicants to participate in a new endeavor in synthetic data generation and testing. The need to develop synthetic methods to develop and test new Deep Learning algorithms is paramount and the proposed work is new and cutting edge.

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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