Hopi student Willem Martin participates in challenges during NASEP cohort ropes exercise

Early morning Tuesday, June 13thin Tucson, AZ, Nevaeh Nez (Hopi/Navajo) and Willem Martin (Hopi) were challenged to work with their Native American Science & Engineering Program (NASEP) cohort during a ropes course exercise. The test, to fit all twenty-four student participants on a small 3x3 wooden crate as each new person swings from the starting point to the crate from a rope. With their arms holding on to one another for support, the group was able to achieve their objective.

This exercise perfectly encompasses the goals that NASEP aims to achieve. It allows students to: gain hands on experience in problem solving, an important tool for those interested in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) careers; create a strong network of indigenous scholars that can support one another through their academics; and provide students the self-efficacy to pursue their academic and career goals. NASEP, organized through the Office of Early Academic Outreach at the University of Arizona, is a year-long program designed to provide Native American high school students with a vision of a career in a STEM field; connects students with academic professionals and industry representatives; and catalyze the student’s motivation to complete chemistry, physics, and pre-calculus before graduating high school. During June 11th-17th, NASEP participants lived in a dormitory at the University of Arizona, and learned more about careers in STEM and the college application process.

Using Dr. Shawn Secatero’s Well-Being model to guide the program agenda, students participated in activities aimed to satisfy the pillars of spirituality, professional, social, mental, emotional, physical, environmental, and culture. This included an opening prayer from a Tohono O’odham community member, presentations from the College of Optical Sciences, College of Engineering, Raytheon, and IBM, and excursions to the Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui nations. The highlight for many students was building a computer from its essential components, which is a unique opportunity that each NASEP cohort completes.

This year, twenty-four high achieving students from across Arizona and parts of Nevada and New Mexico participated; four identify as Hopi. When Nevaeh, a member of the Badger Clan from the village of Hotevilla, was asked what her favorite experience, she stated that networking with Native American professionals from Raytheon and IBM were the most influential because, “The professionals sharing their stories and how they got to where they are provided me with direction and advice on how to achieve my education and life goals. It also gave me the motivation and courage to take my next steps towards completing them.” Nevaeh has already started her higher education toward becoming a Biomedical Engineer by dual enrolling in Coconino Community College while also attending Flagstaff High School. In 2019, she hopes she will have her high school diploma and her associates degree, as she begins school at the University of Arizona or University of Minnesota Duluth.

Willem, whose family is also from Hotevilla, is a rising junior at Tolleson Union High School in Goodyear, AZ. Will has plans to not only obtain his Bachelors of Science in environmental science, but to eventually go to post graduate school and earn a doctorate. Will states, “Ultimately, I want to use my education to help the tribe with various pollution issues concerning water and mines.” When asked how NASEP has helped guide him, Will shared, “NASEP has helped me to see that my goals are attainable. It has given me the proper direction I need to see my goals through, and has given me vital connections I need to succeed in my future.”

Early Academic Outreach at the University of Arizona provides information and support to K-12th with a focus on underrepresented communities on how to attend college. NASEP has been a program that Early Academic Outreach has offered since 2009. Carol Seanez (Navajo), a University of Arizona alumni in Public Health, participated in the first cohort and is now the coordinator of NASEP. She strongly believes that advocating and providing resources for higher education can improve the health and well-being of communities. Carol attributes her successful navigation through her undergraduate career to NASEP and the support of the Office of Early Academic Outreach.

Carol states that the application for the 2018-2019 cohort will be available January 2018, and encourages all native high school students to apply. Her sentiments were echoed by Willem and Nevaeh, who identified involvement in the community, programs, and clubs as important learning opportunities for college and career goals. Willem provided the advice, “For any high school students looking into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields I highly recommend finding and applying to educational summer programs, such as NASEP. Not only do these programs help educate, but they also create new experiences and friends.” Please visit eao.arizona.edu/nasep for more information about the program and application.

http://www.hopi-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/7-18-2017-Vol.25-No.14.pdf