Over half of all Native American students in the United States lack access to the math and science high school classes they need to prepare for the college degrees in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) fields. Only 17% of Native American students continue their education beyond high school, compared to 60% of the total U.S. population. It is clear work needs to be done to expose our Native youth to career opportunities in STEAM as well as institutions of higher learning.

In response, a partnership between the Native American Institute and University Outreach and Engagement formed that resulted in the creation of the Natives in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (NSTEAM) program. Over 20 Native American youth in Grades 9-12 were invited to campus with their guardians/parents during MSU’s Science Festival this past April. NSTEAM was coordinated by Kevin Leonard, Ph.D. (NAI), Katherine Hagman Prokopchuk (MSU Science Festival Coordinator, University Outreach and Engagement (UOE) and Kehli Henry, Ph.D. (community volunteer). Student participants came from Michigan, Massachusetts, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Once on campus, NSTEAM participants engaged in numerous workshops and activities that included an admissions presentation, tour of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, Anishinaabe Start Show at Abrams Planetarium, cultural dinner with MSU North American Indigenous Student Organization (NAISO) members at the Nokomis Center, a visit to the MSU Museum Food Fight Exhibit, and tours of the Beal Botanical Garden and the MSU Dairy Story. The events wrapped up with an evening listening to Robin Wall Kimmerer speak and the signing of her book Braiding Sweetgrass. Planning has begun for NSTEAM 2025, so be on the watch for more details to come!