Largest “STEM” Conference and Career Fair in Indian Country
Provides Educational, Professional, Community Support
(Albuquerque, October 10, 2010) AISES, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, is pleased to announce its 2010 National Conference, to take place at the Albuquerque Convention Center, November 11-13, 2010.
Themed “Power Up,” the 2010 Conference aims to harness the energy and enthusiasm of science and technology among and for its cohort, American Indian and Alaska Native students, educators, and professionals in “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math.)
Held annually at varying locations in the U.S., the AISES Conference is recognized as the premier event in Indian Country among STEM professionals and students. Over 2,000 are expected to attend the three-day conference, which will include over 30 high-quality workshops and sessions delivered by industry leaders, ample networking events, a tour of UNM for high-schoolers, AISES’ prestigious annual awards, and traditional social events including a Traditional Honors Banquet and a Powwow. (See sidebar release on Professional of the Year Awards.)
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Mae Jemison, CEO of the Jemison Group, and best known as the first African American in space.
A full schedule of events is available at www.aises.org/nationalconference.
In presenting this annual event, AISES benefits from strong partnerships and reputation it has amassed over 33 years. One example of the healthy symbiotic relationship AISES enjoys within Indian Country is Laguna Pueblo’s recent decision to not only join as a “Gemstone Sponsor” for 2010 National Conference, but also to sponsor the participation of 30 college and 25 high-school students at the conference.
Other conference sponsors include the Navy, Google, Lockheed Martin, IBM, 3M, The Boeing Company, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Representatives from these institutions, Harvard, Yale, and Stanford Universities, the American Indian Graduate Center, and over 200 others will be present at AISES National Conference, which has over the years become a top priority for diversity recruiters and thought leaders in STEM.
“STEM has emerged as a National Security Priority under the Obama Administration,” says AISES CEO Pamala Silas. “Within this context, AISES wants to demonstrate the high achievement of its members and the capacity to continue developing the next generation of STEM professionals.
“The participation in 2010 National Conference is very strong, and it indicates to us that our students and professionals rely on AISES more than ever to provide support through their studies and career – and that our corporate and government partners value the access to top-talent and the indigenous knowledge our members can bring to their enterprises.”
Founded in response to specific challenges facing Indian Country such as inadequate education, low graduation rates, higher than average unemployment, and lack of access to career opportunities, mentorship, and peer support, AISES is now recognized as the leading organization advancing success for American Indians and Alaska Natives in STEM.
In addition to the National Conference, AISES presents a robust portfolio of activities from summer science camps, the National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair and EXPO, the DOE Intertribal Middle School Science Bowl, internships and scholarships for college students, and professional development resources for professionals. More information about AISES is available at www.aises.org/AboutUs.
AISES’ 2011 National Conference will take place November 10-12, 2010 in Minneapolis, MN.
About AISES
Founded in 1977, AISES is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to substantially increase the representation of American Indian and Alaskan Natives in science, technology, engineering and math fields. AISES employs a “full circle of support” model that begins with pre-college programs, progresses into collegiate life, and then into the professional years of members into retirement. It serves an extensive membership network of over 2,900 active members, 13,000 alumni, 1040 Sequoyah (lifetime) Fellows, 173 College Chapters, and 200 Pre-College Affiliates – with over 200 Native Nations represented in all. More information is available at the AISES website: www.aises.org.