Sealaska Invests in Future Alaska Native Scientists and Engineers Through ANSEP
Monday, March 9, 2020

Sealaska is increasing its involvement in the education of shareholders and descendants long before they are eligible for a college scholarship. One example is our sponsorship of the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) Middle School Academy.

ANSEP, as the program is known, is based at the University of Alaska. Over the past 20-plus years, the program has evolved into a pipeline of programming for Alaska Native students, beginning in middle school all the way through the post-graduate level. The idea is to introduce Alaska Native youth to real-world STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) projects. This can spark an early interest in related careers and college in general.

In 2019, Sealaska provided $50,000 to support the Middle School Academy and assisted with targeted outreach to students in Southeast Alaska. Through the partnership with Sealaska and other corporations and donors, there is no cost for students to attend.

Students spend 12 days at the academy, during which they build their own desktop computers, work on a balsa-wood bridge to learn about earthquake engineering, learn about energy efficient construction, and many other hands-on projects. Each academy hosts around 50 students from across Alaska, and students work in teams on all the activities.

Heather Powell is a school administrator with Hoonah City Schools and a Tlingit language instructor. One of her sons, R.J. Didrickson Jr., attended ANSEP’s Middle School Academy in 2018 as a sixth grader. Her perspective on the program is that of a Tlingit culture bearer, an educator and a mom.

“We have a lot of real-world, place-based learning and are able to use our environment and traditional ways of being in an amazing way in Hoonah City Schools,” said Powell. “But, being able to bridge that into real-world careers and help them have a footing in each side is an awesome thing.”

The primary goal of the middle school part of the ANSEP pipeline, according to ANSEP Regional Director Michael Bourdukofsky, is to see middle schoolers complete Algebra I before entering high school.

“When students complete Algebra I by eighth grade, they’re on a better math track all the way through high school,” he said. “Even if they never participate with ANSEP again, they’re on track to complete calculus in high school and be hyper-prepared to pursue STEM careers in college.”

ANSEP’s Middle School Academy started in 2010 with just one cohort per year, but is now offered 10 times per year, throughout the school year and during the summer. Students who attend sign a contract with their home school district to be excused from their regular classes and homework for the duration of the program.

Bourdukofsky said 75 percent of Middle School Academy participants meet the goal of completing Algebra I before high school, which compares to a national average (without respect to ethnicity, gender or economic background) of only 26 percent. Those who continue in the ANSEP pipeline through high school are likely to earn a substantial number of college credits before graduation, improving college graduation rates and saving families thousands of dollars in tuition.

Kalli Harris, a Hoonah seventh grader who attended the Middle School Academy as a sixth grader and is currently taking pre-algebra, said before the academy she didn’t really care about science or engineering.

“Afterwards, I found it was very interesting and just a fun thing to do,” Harris said. Her thoughts were echoed by fellow students Didrickson (Powell’s son) and Nikima Seetinaax Budke, who also attended the academy last year.

Powell and Bourdukofsky said another important aspect of the program is the on-campus experience. Students live in University of Alaska Anchorage dorms and eat at the cafeteria, which gives them a chance to picture themselves in college.

“A student’s success is built around self-confidence, and they need to believe they’re capable of reaching high goals,” Bourdukofsky said. “Something like spending 12 days away from their families and homes is a huge confidence-building activity.”

In addition to the Hoonah students, young people from Craig, Gustavus, Juneau and Yakutat participated in the Middle School Academy with Sealaska’s support. Right now, Sealaska is working to identify more shareholders and descendants throughout the region to participate.

For more information

  • Check out the ANSEP video on Sealaska’s YouTube channel
  • Visit ANSEP’s website
  • Parents, teachers and administrators who want to know more are encouraged to reach out to ANSEP, (email).

 


Latest News


Sealaska Spring 2024 Distribution Date Announced

Posted 3/19/2024
The Sealaska Board of Directors will meet on Friday, April 12, 2024, to approve the amount for Sealaska’s 2024 spring distribution. The distribution will take place on Thursday, April 18.  Shareholders can prepare for a seamless distribution by completing any enrollment or stock transfer paperwork, including gifting or inheritance, by Friday, April 12 at 4 p.m. The last day to make changes to addresses or direct deposit information is Monday, April 15, , before close of business, or online via M...

Sealaska announces Desiree Jackson to serve as Vice President of Administration and Outreach

Posted 3/6/2024
Jackson’s goals, experience are aligned with Sealaska’s vision for shareholders, communities and the region’s collective future. A focus on strategy, values and excellence has led Desiree Anax x’aséigu yé Jackson to her new role as Sealaska’s Vice President of Administration and Outreach. Jackson has served as the executive director of...

First Quarter Board Q&A provides shareholders an opportunity to connect with their board

Posted 3/4/2024
Members of Sealaska’s board of directors had an opportunity to connect with shareholders and answer questions during the Feb. 29 board Q&A session hosted on MySealaska. Directors Barbara Cadiente Nelson, Ka’illjuus Lisa Lang joined Executive Chair Joe Nelson and Board Youth Advisor Deikeenaak’w  Connor Ulmer in providing an update following January’s board meeting and shared upcoming opportunities and associated deadlines with participants. Sealaska’s language grant application period i...

Virtual Shareholder Orientation offers connection, information for original and new shareholders alike

Posted 2/26/2024
Sealaska’s Shareholder Relations team hosted a virtual shareholder orientation on Tuesday, Feb. 20 for an audience of nearly 170 shareholders from far and wide. This event offered both new and long-term shareholders a chance to learn more about the benefits and responsibilities of being a shareholder and answer questions about specific Shareholder Relations policies, procedures and protocol.   Shareholder Relations Manager Jodie Gatti, who joined the Sealaska team in November, was joined by...

Sealaska Announces Sealaska Board Endorsed Nominee Opening

Posted 2/22/2024
Deadline Friday, March 15 at 5:00 PM Alaska Time Five seats on the Sealaska board of directors will be filled through this year’s annual board elections. Sealaska is seeking qualified shareholders to apply for nomination, including one board-endorsed seat, and three board-endorsed incumbents running for reelection. At least one seat wi...