Oklahoma Water

Resources Center

Congratulations to 20 Oklahoma educators selected as 2023 National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair (NAISEF) STEM Coaches!

 

NAISEF is an annual science fair organized by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society for middle and high school students. The upcoming fair will be held both in-person and virtually on April 1, 2023, at the ENDEAVOR Lab on the OSU-Stillwater campus.

 

The STEM Coach Program was co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Water Resources Center and the K-12 DoD STEM program of the OSU College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. Accepted STEM Coaches can earn up to $1,300 by attending informational webinars about NAISEF participation and resources, attending NAISEF to observe with students or by attending NAISEF with students to participate in the fair.

 

Here's what coaches have said:

 

“STEM can help me incorporate science ideas and involve Native students in an area that they are underrepresented.”

 

“The projects will help my students learn how to think creatively, research, follow steps, analyze data, form conclusions, and prepare a project report. These skills will be integral parts of every student's future education and career.”

 

This program is a part of a 2022 Women for OSU Partnering to Impact grant awarded to Dr. Nicole Colston and Dr. Cynthia Orona of the Oklahoma Water Resources Center. The grant provided funding for NAISEF educator workshops, the series of webinars to help educators and students get started on NAISEF projects and assistance with registration and forms, as well as hosting parent and teacher STEM Family Nights in local school districts.

 

The following educators were selected as 2023 NAISEF STEM Coaches:

 

• Traci Richardson-McVicker, Stillwater High School
• Susan Adair, Shady Grove
• Jackie Boyd, Will Rogers Junior High
• Jessica Cox, Southwest Elementary
• Emmalea Red, Wapanucka Public Schools
• Lacey Marshall, Deborah Brown Community School
• Warren Pratt, Pawnee Middle School
• Darrel Negelein, Pawnee High School
• Jordan Mackey, Epic Charter School
• Caryn Record, Moore Public Schools
• Toni Corbin, Tishimingo Middle School
• Ashley Davis, Pawhuska High School
• Cindy Lewis, Epic Charter School
• Damont Cooley, Grove Middle School
• Shawn Cusack, Northest Technology Center - Fairview
• Dale Bushyhead, Jenks High School
• Donna Deason, Grove Middle School
• Ashley Greene, Sequoyah Elementary School
• Stephanie Murray, Bethel Middle School
• Jason Couch, Quapaw Middle School

 

Students can submit their science project alone or with a group of up to three, with at least one student being American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or who has a relative recognized as such by state or federal government are encouraged to enter. Student projects are evaluated through the submission of a research summary, public poster presentation, ties to tribal culture and more. NAISEF winners will be invited to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) with an adult chaperone and all expenses paid. The week-long ISEF will be hosted May 13-19, 2023, in Dallas, Texas.

 

For more information about this program or future NAISEF events hosted by OSU, please subscribe to the OSU listserv: native-americans-in-stem@listserv.okstate.edu.