American Indian Scientific and Engineering Society (AISES)

[Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro]

This discussion is about an organization, AISES, which promotes engineering, technology and science careers for American Indian and Alaska Native students. AISES offers financial, academic and cultural support to American Indians and Alaska Natives from middle school through graduate school. It also provides professional development activities to enable teachers to work effectively with Native students as well as culturally appropriate curricula and publications. AISES accomplishes its goals through partnerships with tribes, schools, other non-profit organizations, corporations, foundations and government agencies.

If you are familiar with AISES, please share your experiences. If you are not, please take a few moments to review the AISES website.

[Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro]

If you are teaching in Alaska and are not already familiar with AISES, please take a few minutes to review their web site. I have found that AISES conferences provide a great opportunity for students in high school and college to learn about career opportunities in science and how working in science is very consistent with Native American Culture. For college students AISES provides an outstanding career fair at the National Conference as well. Additionally, AISES publishes a magazine, offers school programs, and has local affiliate professional and student chapters. Currently, there is one professional chapter, two student college chapters and 9 chapters within schools in Alaska alone.

2009 is an excellent year for people in Alaska to think about AISES because the annual conference will be "fairly close by", that is in Portland Oregon in October of this year.

I was privileged to be included on the conference program a few years ago and hope to be included on it again soon. Additionally, I was sufficiently impressed with AISES to want to become and am privileged to say that I am a Sequoyah Fellow in AISES.

[Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro]

At the AISES Conference in Phoenix Arizona I was privileged to present the Games To Explain Human Factors: Come, Participate, Learn and Have Fun! program. The CHAMPION at this session was from Alaska. I also had the opportunity to attend cultural and scientific sessions. I meet with many Native American students at my session, at other sessions, and during meals. I recommend the experience to colleagues.