About NASEP
What is NASEP?
An initiative of the Office of Early Academic Outreach at The University of Arizona, the Native American Science & Engineering Program is a FREE year-long program designed to provide Native American high school students with the necessary resources to enroll in college and pursue a career in a Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) field. NASEP participants will gain a wide exposure to these fields through interactions with university experts on many subjects including environmental sustainability. The intention of this program is to expose students to a wide variety of STEM pathways so as to better inform their college pathways in the context of the Native American experience.
More than Just a Summer Program
As stated above, NASEP is a year-long program that offers engagement throughout the academic year. Each group is seen as a cohort and will receive support from NASEP staff as they prepare to apply to college. Additionally, there are other events offered throughout the year that consists of 4 phases:
- Summer Program Phase (June 2025): Students will have a week-long stay on The University of Arizona campus participating in STEM related workshops. Past cohorts had opportunities to visit and stay at Biosphere 2, build a computer, computer coding, engineering projects, participate in lab research etc., tours and presentations from The College of Optics, College of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- Research Project Phase (August - Early October 2025): In the fall semester, students work on the Geoscience research project where they gain exposure to the scientific method and creating and presenting collegiate level research posters at The University of Arizona's Native American College Day.
- Enrichment Phase (September 2025 - March 2026): Students will be given multiple opportunities to participate at events that include:
- Fall Assembly at the Navajo Nation Fair & Parade: September in Window Rock, AZ
- Tribal Environmental Health Forum: October in Chandler, AZ
- Native American College Day at the University of Arizona: November in Tucson, AZ
- American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) Regional Conference: March
- Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation (SARSEF) Fair: March in Tucson, AZ
- Closing Banquet Phase (April 2025): Students will be awarded for their participation in the program with a closing banquet at The University of Arizona and will receive a NASEP stole upon completion.
Each of these experiences is aimed at developing the students' understanding of STEM opportunities.