September 15, 2015

Native Youth Enrichment Program (NYEP) Summer 2015

The guiding principle of NYEP’s summer program is to empower Native middle school students to focus in school by making STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum culturally relevant. Students will see first-hand the incredible impact one can have personally and in the community by meeting university students and Native role models who currently work in STEM fields. Participation in the program will increase students’ academic confidence and self-esteem, leading to improved graduation rates and greater Native representation within STEM fields.

The 2015 NYEP program tap a dynamic network of STEM professionals to represent the diverse backgrounds of those who choose STEM fields as a career. Our goal is to give our students the courage and pride to speak up and add an indigenous voice to the scientific dialogue, which has not always embraced traditional knowledge.

This year, NYEP will serve 25 rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who are in the Seattle School District #1. Our primary funder, at $124,736, is the City of Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning, specifically the Families and Education Levy.

Under the guidance of Principal Investigator Polly Olsen and Project Director Kerrie Murphy, participating children will be ready for the upcoming school year. Students, especially those with low math and/or literacy skills will get some of the help and experience they need. The program is spread out over four separate weeks through the summer so that the children can also take advantage of other opportunities and programs sponsored through a city-wide collaboration of Native youth programs.

NYEP Schedule:

July 6-9:Energy – e-Textiles & Robotics Computer Programming and Computative Thinking through
July 20-23: Energy in the Environment – Lessons of Indigenous Foods & Medicines through Environmental Sciences (L.I.F.E.)
August 17-20: Energy in Ourselves – Lessons of Indigenous Foods & Medicines through the Biosciences
August 24-27: Energy of a Story – Honoring Our Oral Traditions through Digital Stories