Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program

The Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) began in 1995 as an effort to increase advanced science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education within rural Alaskan villages. The program was intended to increase the number of rural high school students who went onto complete college and enter the engineering field in Alaska.

Beginning with high school freshmen, structured programs lead students each step of the way through high school, into the undergraduate years, on to graduate school, and into professional life. At each level the goal is to create empowerment and excitement around careers in engineering and science. 

ANSEP has grown from one student to over 1,100 Native university level STEM students and in excess of 400 high school students. The program has grown to an alliance of four universities, 2 community colleges and 43 high schools in Alaska, Washington and Hawaii.

The Building Education program has donated approximately $120,000 a year for the past several years. We’ve also sponsored the Summer Bridge program, which helps rural students adapt to the new challenges of university life in a big city.