The Alaska 100

 

University of Alaska offers teacher scholarship

University of Alaska ad
The University of Alaska is now accepting applications for the second Teach for Alaska Scholarship, a full-ride academic scholarship that will be awarded to an aspiring teacher.

For the second year, the University of Alaska is offering the Teach for Alaska Scholarship, a full-ride academic scholarship, valued at $12,000, to be awarded to an incoming UA student who plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in education.

The University of Alaska launched the scholarship program last year as a way to help local students who are aspiring teachers. The program is one of the university’s initiatives highlighting the need for more UA-educated teachers, creating a homegrown workforce of educators that directly contribute to Alaska’s future.

Students can learn more about the scholarship and apply here.

 

ANSEP Acceleration Academy accepting applications for fall

Teaching Alaskan Youth
ANSEP is now accepting applications for ANSEP Acceleration Academy (UAA).

Current eighth-grade students can jump-start their college careers with ANSEP Acceleration Academy (UAA) beginning this fall. Applications are currently being accepted via ANSEP’s website.

At ANSEP Acceleration Academy, students will start taking college courses the moment they begin high school. With ANSEP’s forward-thinking curriculum, students have the chance to graduate high school with up to two years of college credits for B.S. as well as B.A. degrees.

ANSEP strives to effect systemic change in the hiring patterns of Alaska Natives in science, technology, engineering and mathematics career fields by placing students on paths to leadership.

– Liz Baker, The Alaska 100

 

Alaska middle schoolers get a taste of STEM

ANSEP Middle School Academy
ANSEP Middle School Academy students become engaged with STEM from an early age through hands-on activities.

Alaska is full of bright young people with potential, and the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) wants to empower these students by placing them on a path to leadership from a young age.

Last month, ANSEP hosted 42 students from the Kenai Peninsula Borough and Lower Kuskokwim school districts for a joint Middle School Academy. Led by industry professionals, students used creativity and critical thinking to construct bridges and test their weight-bearing capacity. Students gained real-world insight into STEM careers through activities such as an Arctic wall build, field excursions and earthquake testing. Read more here.

– Stephanie Plieness, The Alaska 100

 

ANSEP application deadlines approaching

Career Exploration Component
Applications for STEM Career Exploration and Acceleration Academy are due soon.

The Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program strives to effect systemic change in the hiring patterns of Alaska Natives in STEM career fields by placing students on a path to leadership. Beginning at the middle school level, ANSEP’s longitudinal model continues through high school and into undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs.

Applications for this summer’s Acceleration Academy must be postmarked by March 2, and the application deadline for ANSEP’s STEM Career Exploration Component is March 9.

More information about these and other ANSEP components like Middle School Academy, Acceleration High School and Summer Bridge, can be found at www.ANSEP.net.

– Nikkie Viotto, The Alaska 100

 

ANSEP marks 23 years of effecting change

ANSEP
Native dancers provide entertainment for ANSEP Celebration attendees.

The Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program recently held its 23rd annual Celebration, uniting a crowd of 1,300+ students, strategic partners and others to honor past successes and set a tone for 2018. Renowned theoretical physicist, futurist and co-founder of string theory Dr. Michio Kaku joined attendees for the occasion.

“ANSEP has worked to change hiring patterns in Alaska by developing a pipeline of students who are ready for careers in STEM fields. We are thankful to Dr. Kaku for helping us share the importance of determination and hard work,” said Dr. Herb Schroeder, ANSEP founder and vice provost.

– Liz Baker, The Alaska 100

 

ANSEP to host nine universities at inaugural Dissemination Conference

As part of the conference, attendees will join Middle School Academy students for a Computer Build.

The Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program has been selected by the National Science Foundation to host a four-day conference that will engage leaders from nine regional education groups from around the nation in ANSEP’s programmatic components.

The NSF/ANSEP Dissemination Conference, scheduled for Jan. 17-20, 2018, will guide university and other education professionals through ANSEP’s proven education model and share insight into the program’s strategies and methods for improving the hiring patterns of minority students in the science and engineering fields. Participants will leave with a blueprint for building success in their region. Find more at ANSEP.net.

– Liz Baker, The Alaska 100

 

Inspiring Alaska’s Future Leaders

Shaylyn "Yosty" Storms was once an ANSEP student, but she now inspires other students to become Alaska's future leaders.

Yosty Storms grew up in Unalakleet, where she and her seven siblings lived a traditional Iñupiaq subsistence lifestyle.

Passionate about protecting her family and community’s way of life, Yosty wanted to become a marine biologist. An ANSEP student since high school, Yosty worked with ANSEP strategic partners Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management and USGS as a paid intern.

Becoming the first in her family to earn a college degree, Yosty felt inspired. She joined ANSEP’s staff and shares her passion with Alaska’s future leaders. Learn more on ANSEP’s Student Success blog.

– Liz Baker, The Alaska 100

 

Fill up and Fuel Your Schools in October

Children learn in a classroom in Alaska
An Anchorage classroom reacts to a surprise delivery of a classroom project from Fuel Your School.

Every year, teachers spend hundreds of dollars out of pocket on classroom materials. Chevron is returning this fall with its Fuel Your School program, which has purchased more than $569,788 in supplies for Alaska schools since 2013.

In October, Anchorage can help fund these projects by filling up at Chevron stations. For each fill-up of eight gallons or more, Chevron donates $1 to fund projects posted by Anchorage teachers to DonorsChoose.org, up to $100,000.

New this year are Student-led Projects and Student Life Essentials Projects, which provide warm clothing, food and more for underserved students.

– Michelle Engelke, Denali Express Chevron Network

 

First-Generation College Student Joins ANSEP, Studies Computer Engineering

A photo of student Jeremy Chung
Jeremy Chung is now a first-generation college student studying computer engineering at UAA.

Eighteen-year-old Jeremy Chung, Yup’ik from Bethel, Alaska, enrolled in the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program’s Summer Bridge component after his high-school graduation. Jeremy spent his summer learning and getting real-world work experience – he has his sights set on becoming a computer engineer and knows spending this summer with ANSEP will give him a leg up.

A first-generation college attendee at the University of Alaska Anchorage this fall, Jeremy says that his computer engineering dreams are finally on the horizon, thanks to his drive for success, as well as financial and academic support from ANSEP.

– Liz Baker, The Alaska 100

 

ANSEP: Giving Students the Tools to Succeed

According to a recent study, 60.8 percent of incoming University of Alaska students need remedial coursework. Students who graduate from the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program’s new Acceleration High School (AAHS) in Palmer immediately begin taking college-level courses; most even graduate with enough credits equivalent to one full year of college.

For AAHS students, this means saving a full year of college tuition and a jumpstart on advanced degrees. By fall 2017, ANSEP will be accepting the second class of students to the Palmer Acceleration High School and welcoming the first class to the Anchorage Acceleration High School.

– Mike Ulroan, Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program