ANSEP brings STEM Ready opportunity to Mat-Su, engaging over 30 of Alaska’s youngest scientists in early career exploration

This summer the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP) is hosting more than 30 students from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District for two sessions of its three-day STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Ready opportunity.

Designed to spark early interest in science, technology, engineering and math, STEM Ready is the first opportunity in ANSEP’s longitudinal education model and welcomes students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The first session took place earlier this month at Dena’ina Elementary School, and ANSEP will host its second Mat-Su STEM Ready session July 22-24 at Sherrod Elementary School.

STEM Ready is a moderately new addition to ANSEP’s nationally recognized education model and offers early learners hands-on experiences that are both fun and intellectually engaging. Over the course of three days, students collaborate on a range of age-appropriate projects that introduce fundamental STEM concepts. Highlights of the program include: Hot Wheels lab; Gummy bear engineering; SphereO robotics; Metric Olympics

“STEM Ready is all about creating a space where kids feel comfortable exploring new ideas and asking questions," says ANSEP Chief Operating Officer Dr. Michele Yatchmeneff. “When learning feels fun and engaging, it invites curiosity. That’s exactly what we want for elementary-aged learners. We’re helping students build confidence just by trying things out and discovering how exciting learning can be.”

School district students selected to participate in this summer’s STEM Ready sessions include:

Dena’ina Elementary: Blue Hooser; Justus Drayton; Lily Hooser; Magnus Saxon; Keuren Hammond; Isaac Renfro-Carle; Elliana Miranda; Tucker Behymer; Asher Christoffersen; Maxwell Ruge; Cheyenne Heckman; Talon Grimes; Mckenzee Viernes; Tanner Behymer

Sherrod Elementary: Amelia Shandy; Iris Thronson; Sylus Evans; Jade Cichosz; Jolene Cichosz; Mason Caverly; John "Jack" Hesley; Sawyer DeBoer; Benson Fiscus; Aubrey Kjerstad; Allison Fisher; Atreyue Stewlow; Avigail Sosinski; Kadence Farnsworth; Eiley McDonald; Kilian Clark; Avery Nicholson; Ava Stuart; John Stuart IV; Austin Wright

The Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program is part of the University of Alaska system. What began as a university scholarship program for a single student in 1995 has grown to provide unmatched educational opportunities for nearly 3,000 Alaskans over 30 years. Beginning in kindergarten, ANSEP’s sequential model continues through high school and into undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, allowing students to succeed at rates far exceeding national numbers.

To learn more about ANSEP, visit www.ansep.net.