The American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) is a national, nonprofit organization which nurtures building of community by bridging science and technology with traditional Native values. Through its educational programs, AISES provides opportunities for American Indians and Native Alaskans to pursue studies in science, engineering, and technology arenas. The trained professionals then become technologically informed leaders within the Indian community. AISES' ultimate goal is to be a catalyst for the advancement of American Indians and Native Alaskans as they seek to become self-reliant and self-determined members of society.

About

The UNM AISES Virtual Mentoring Project facilitators seek to build an on-line community of learners by bringing together college and elementary school students in pursuit of science education. We hope to develop a successful relationship between college students in the UNM AISES chapter and sixth grade students at Santa Clara Day School through the process of mentoring primarily on-line, but also, face-to-face. Most mentoring projects have no specific goals or agendas guiding mentors. This is what makes our project different. Our mentors are specifically focused on supporting the elementary students with science fair projects with the goal of successfully competing in the AISES National Science Fair.