April 5-6, 2024
Endeavor Lab at Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, Oklahoma
The National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair (NAISEF) is an annual event for 5th to 12th grade students. The NAISEF is an affiliated fair with the Society for Science and the Public (SSP) affiliated science fair and is part of the larger SSP fair network. The NAISEF differs from other SSP-affiliated fairs in that it is an in-person and virtual fair.
What is NAISEF?
COUNTDOWN TO NAISEF EVENT
FAIRS
Regional Fairs - Most states (like OK) require students to compete at regional fairs to qualify for state fairs. Students are permitted to compete at their regional fairs and then at NAISEF but are NOT allowed to compete at the State Fair and NAISEF. You can find information about regional fairs here.
NAISEF - NAISEF is broken up into 2 categories, senior and junior division. All students compete for prizes in the subcategories outlined below. Other opportunities are dictated by what division the competitors are in.
Senior division (9th-12th) - Our judges select the top place in each category (1 for science and 1 for engineering) that are sent, all expenses paid to the International Science and Engineering Fair to represent NAISEF.
Junior division (5th-8th)-Competitors in the junior division can be nominated for the Junior Innovators Challenge
ISEF-Students from over 70 countries gather for a weeklong event to learn about new STEM discoveries and present their research. Learn more about ISEF here.
NAISEF Eligibility
- MUST be AISES members, see below to become a student member for free
- 5th to 12th grade students, who have not reached age 20 on or before May 1
- Projects may be submitted by individual students or teams of up to three students
- At least one team member must be American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian
- Project must cover research done over a maximum, continuous 12-month period between January and May
- Each participant (whether an individual or team) must have one adult sponsor (either a parent, teacher, or mentor)
NAISEF Categories
- Science
- Animal and plant sciences
- Behavioral/Social sciences
- Biomedical/biological sciences (includes molecular, micro, and developmental biologies)
- Chemistry and physics
- Engineering
- Engineering (general)
- Mathematics/physics
- Computer systems and software
- Robotics/intelligent machines
- Specialty awards (subject to change)
- Native Heritage Award
- Northrop Grumman Earth/Resource Sciences Award
Perks/Why you should compete:
- In both divisions, students will compete for cash prizes in the categories above.
- Participation in science fairs is a way to stand out on college applications
- The college and career fair at NAISEF will give students the opportunity to network with people in career fields that may interest them.
- Senior division- 2 grand prize winners will be sent to Dallas, TX for an all-expenses paid trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair. At this event they will represent NAISEF and compete against students from over 70 countries. These students will also be featured on the NAISEF website.
- Junior division- The top 10% of students in the Junior division are nominated for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Students who become JIC finalists will receive $500, an all-expenses paid trip to Washington DC, and a chance at several more STEM awards ranging from $1,500-25,000! *note: the selection committee for this event is separate from NAISEF and students will have additional requirements to enter this competition. Assistance from the NAISEF team in completing these applications will be provided upon request.
HOW TO ENTER
Fill out the application here. Students will need to complete the ISEF forms to compete. If assistance is needed, you can email naisef@aises.org, set up a meeting here, or check out our webinar episode on ISEF forms here!
Questions?
Contact naisef@aises.org or 918-238-2691.
Review the following pages for more information: