At Haskell, there are many clubs for students to get involved in, but one club hopes to bridge the gap between different fields of study on campus. American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a national, nonprofit organization that builds a community by bridging science and technology with traditional Native values.
The Haskell AISES chapter aims to incorporate as many students as possible into STEM-related projects and research opportunities, from high-power rocketry to water and air quality.
“We put an emphasis on inclusivity and believe that a strong AISES team requires indigenous minds from every discipline. Today, we have a few members studying Business, Environmental Science, American Indian Studies, and more,” said AISES Engineering Project Lead Andrew Noline.
Every Thursday at 5 PM, the AISES team meets in Kiva Hall to discuss their upcoming projects; these include bee conservation, rockets, astronomy, air quality, water quality, engineering, and research. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the AISES team has been developing a way to record their progress to prevent a loss of information and structure. This way, the resources will be there for future teams.
“Aside from the academic benefits, AISES has brought me closer to some amazing people. Our group is full of encouragement, support, and laughter. You can usually find us in the zone working on our projects or homework in Kiva. Overall, I would say AISES has made me a well-rounded and happy student at Haskell,” said Noline.
Haskell’s AISES team is working on various collaborations and partnerships, including KU Rocketry, KU AISES, the USGS, K-STATE, and more. The AISES team’s sponsor, Jessica Burghart, encourages the team to be their best and tries to equip the team with the skills to beat their expectations. Burghart has worked with the team for many hours to achieve their project’s next steps, including working to meet deadlines or working towards their rocket competition.
“As a Sophomore, joining AISES has already opened so many doors to new opportunities and possibilities. I am now working on taking more engineering-related classes at KU for next Fall to pursue a career in Aerospace Engineering. One very important thing that AISES has taught me is to pursue your passion, no matter where it takes you,’ said Noline.
The AISES team is currently working on bringing new life to forgotten Haskell technology, including a 3-D printer and a laser engraver. Now, the 3-D printer is being used to design and print parts for the rocketry team led by Aiyanna Tanyan and will soon be used for more projects, including printing miniature figurines for the Natural 1’s club. Another recent success the team has encountered is the ongoing Gateway competitions of the First Nation’s Launch, which the Wisconsin Space Grant sponsors.
Noline said, “Our team made a strong impression with the judges during our preliminary design presentation earlier this month. We continue to deepen our knowledge about high-power rocketry and are on track for a successful team launch in April!”
