The 2024 Sovereign Native Youth STEM Leadership Academy schedule was packed with activities that had over 20 students from areas across Nebraska participating in activities across campus under the leadership of Native American faculty, university students, and professionals in the public and private sector. They were welcomed to campus with a dinner and prayer led by Rosebud Sioux Elder Ms. Phyllis Stone.
College of Engineering faculty Drs. Shannon Bartelt-Hunt, Jamilla Teixeira, and Christine Wittich and their students gave the students an introduction to structures, materials, and environmental laboratories, and Dr. Ron Faller showed off some of the crash tests performed by the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility. Mr. Ted Hibbler, a Tribal Extension Educator at UNL’s Native American Coalition led the students in a plant sciences activity; and staff at Nebraska Innovation Campus showed everything the studio had to offer.
Dr. Gabriel Bruguier, Assistant Professor and Research Specialist Librarian, and his colleagues at UNL Libraries led the students in an activity that had them exploring campus. The program also welcomed collaborators from the Society of Care and Bluebird Cultural Initiative to lead the students in activities. MATC is grateful for the support of the leaders involved, as well as the contributions of the University of Nebraska State Museum and the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation to the formal dinner event, and the program support by the Department of Transportation UTC grant.
The 2025 program will be held July 8-12 and students will be able to register soon on our website.
