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.

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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 9-15, 2024): 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): 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 - March): 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 (Early May): 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.

• Must be a current high school sophomore or junior who is on track to completing Physics, Chemistry, and Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry with a “C” letter grade or higher before graduation. If your school does not offer these classes, please contact the Office of Early Academic Outreach to discuss your circumstances to apply.
• Students who are attending a high school in Arizona, or are from a tribe that resides in Arizona will be given priority. Students from the Tucson area are strongly encouraged to apply. Our cohorts have included applicants from Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas. Please be advised that NASEP does not provide transportation to the summer experience in Tucson, AZ.
• Must be enrolled in a federally or state-recognized American Indian or Alaskan Native tribe; or of Hawaiian Native, American Indian, or Alaskan Native descent. Please contact - Early Academic Outreach to verify eligibility, or if you have any other inquiries.
• Commit to participate fully in the summer program.*
• Participate in academic tutoring services and college preparation activities throughout the year.
• Attend NASEP events throughout the year and participate in the fall research program.