(SitNews) Hydaburg, Alaska - The annual American Indian Science and Engineering Society's National Conference was recently held in Anchorage. The theme of the conference was “Adaptability” focusing on adapting to life in rural Alaska.  Presentations focused on how to develop and manage sustainable living practices including the development of wind energy and the importance of food security in rural Alaska were at the center of this year’s meeting.

The mission of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is to substantially increase the representation of American Indians and Alaskan Natives in engineering, science, and other related technology disciplines.

For the fourth consecutive year, students from the Hydaburg School District attended the American Indian Science and Engineering Society's National Conference.

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society is the only professional society established by and for American Indian and Alaska Natives that specifically emphasizes lifelong learning and educational achievement by utilizing cultural aspects with science, engineering and technology.

For the fourth consecutive year, students from the Hydaburg School District were in attendance. Five students attended the conference, and participated in research poster presentations in the pre-college category. The posters presented were:

• 'Traditional Stories and Western Science: Examining The Validity of Traditional Ecological Knowledge' presented by Chavonne Guthrie and Michael Eaglestaff;
• 'Traditional Stories and Western Science: Two Ways Of Examining The Health Of Our River Ecosystems' presented by Andrea Cook and Andrea Christianson;
• 'Novel Approach To Assessing The Health of Estuaries, Using Shipworms For Bioassessment' presented by Paige Heaton.
• Also in attendance were Lauren Smythe (Haida) and Cheyenne Eaton presenting 'The Effects of Ocean Acidification on Marine Animals'.

This year, Paige Heaton won third place with her poster presentation while Lauren Smythe and Cheyenne Eaton took home fourth place.

A highlight of the conference for many students was a talk by Solo Greene of the Nez Perce entitled “It’s Our Time!” Focusing on native identity and adaptation in an ever-changing world while maintaining cultural integrity and connection to the land and earth.

Other highly attended events included a panel discussion Career Pathways for Indigenous Women Scientists and a career fair where students met with college recruiters and people from science and technology industries.

The students attendance at this conference was made possible by funding from HCA, Hydaburg High School, The National Science Foundation, and Oregon Health & Science University’s CMOP program.

Members from over 200 tribal nations are represented within the The American Indian Science and Engineering Society.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

On the Web:

American Indian Science and Engineering Society
http://www.aises.org

Source of News: 

Division of Environmental & Biomolecular Systems
www.ebs.ogi.edu/

SitNews ©2012
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews may be protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission from and payment of any required fees to the proper sources.