ASU's Polytechnic Campus: American Indian Programs

Garrett participated for the first time in the third annual Arizona American Indian Science and Engineering Fair (AISEF). Competing against 81 other seventh and eighth graders, he unveiled his science project titled "Using Solar Energy to Heat Water". He took first place in his category, which was engineering. Garrett's project also won first place in its category and a Best of Show award at the Middle School Discovery Fair as part of Intel's International Science and Engineering Fair held in May 2005 at the Civic Plaza in Phoenix. Students who placed first at the AISEF science fair were eligible to apply to the Discovery Channel Young Science Challenge, with their teacher's assistance. More than 7,500 eligible students from all over the country in the seventh and eighth grade were nominated for the DCYSC. Garrett is one of the 40 finalists selected to take part in the Science Challenge event in October. "My project is about using the sun's light ray (shani diin — Navajo for sun) energy to heat air and water," says Garrett. "My project can help save people money because other forms of energy are getting expensive these days." Garrett adds that his invention can help a number of people living in his community. "Since there are a lot of homes here on the Navajo Reservation without running water or electricity, my homemade heater can help them heat well water and also their home." According to his data, his window-size invention can heat water to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (94 degrees Celsius) and the air temperature can rise by 45 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). He says his mother and his science teachers influenced him the most by discussing the importance of an education as well as encouraging him to construct things. "What I enjoyed most about the project is that I got to build the entire thing myself. I also liked collecting the data and seeing that the heater actually worked. The results really took me by surprise," says Garrett. He is the first student from Pinon and the first AISEF participant to ever be selected as one of the finalists to participate in the national Science Challenge event. One of Garrett's teachers, Rochelle Barton-Silver, has benefited from these programs "We begin with a vision that our students would produce award-winning, inquiry-based science projects that are relevant to the community. It's exciting to see our vision come full circle." Garrett's mother and one of his mentors will be traveling to Washington, D.C., with him for support, however, he seems pretty confident and prepared. "I believe that my project and I will do well because my project helps the environment, it is cost efficient and can be used by just about anyone who wants to use alternative energy," says Garrett.

ERIN EPPARD

Erin is a senior at Thunderbird High School and has lived in Phoenix area her entire life. In elementary school she found her talent for artwork and fascination for sciences. In high school she expounded upon her interests and participated in Central Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair. When she was a freshman, her project on hydroelectricity led her to win the grand prize at her school science fair competition. Next year she took on an innovative project that led her to winning the grand prize at CARSEF with the opportunity to compete internationally in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona. With a taste of such incredible experience, she put her best work into her science fair project for the next year - hoping to win at CARSEF and return to compete at the international level. With her inventions of modifications for circular saws to stop the saw in a dangerous situation, she won the first place in Engineering at ISEF.

Along the way to this prestigious award, she participated twice in the Arizona Junior Science and Humanities Symposia while enjoying the work that she put into her projects and gaining experience in public speaking, interviewing, technical writing and scientific research among many other invaluable skills. Shortly after winning internationally, she was contacted by the Power Tool division of the Robert Bosch Corporation to present her ideas to the CEO and the senior engineering team. Since her presentation, the bosch Corporation has helped Erin in her goals to benefit society by investigating her design on saws, and by providing for a bright society by investigating her design on saws, and by providing for a bright future by supporting her education and guiding her towards patent and licensing agreement with the company. The dream like experience continued when she was selected by Intel as one of the thirteen in the nation to attend the National Governor's Association Annual Meeting in Charleston, South Carolina. She was one of the two ambassadors for Arizona in the first science fair hosted by the association to encourage education in math and sciences.

Today Erin continues to conduct her own projects in her spare time while finishing off her senior year. She anticipates attending either Stanford University or Arizona State Universitythis fall and eventually pursuing a doctorate degree in electrical or mechanical engineering.

ANNETTE MENDIVIL

Annette is a Senior at Casa Grande Union High School. She started in science fairs while in 5th grade at the Sacaton Public School District. She became a member of the Sacaton Gear-Up Program, which coordinated the Gila River Community Science Fair. Annette participated in her first Arizona American Indian Science and Engineering Fair while in the 7th grade at Sacaton Middle School, and has been a part of AISEF each of its existing 5 years. As a 9th grader, Annette participated in the Central Arizona Regional Science & Engineering Fair where she won 1st place in the Zoology category. As a sophomore she won the opportunity to be an Observer at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Portland, Oregon. She participated as an active contestant in the 2005 ISEF in Phoenix, AZ, and won 4th place with her project. In 2006 she participated in the ISEF in Indianapolis, IN, and won a 4-year scholarship to the University of Oregon, and 4th place in her category of Zoology. In August 2006 she was invited by Governor Janet Napalitano to participate as one of only 13 students selected nationally to participate in the first science fair held in conjunction with the National Governor’s Association Conference, held in Charleston, South Carolina. At this time Governor Napalitano presented Annette with a 4-year scholarship to any of Arizona’s state universities. Annette will graduate this May from Casa Grande Union High School and plans to attend ASU’s Polytechnic campus in Mesa, AZ.