Diné College Acknowledgement
Established in 1968, Diné College is the first tribally controlled and accredited collegiate institution in the United States. With its main campus in Tsaile, Arizona, Diné College is grounded in the Navajo philosophy of Sa’ąh Naagháí Bik’eh Hózhóón, blending traditional Diné values with modern academic disciplines. The college plays a critical role in preserving and strengthening Navajo language, culture, and teachings while advancing opportunities in higher education across the Navajo Nation. Through programs in environmental science, agriculture, public health, and more, Diné College continues to enhance Native American representation in STEM fields and research.
On October 21 and 22, the Diné College Land Grant Office hosted its annual STEM Festival at the Tsaile campus. The two-day event brought together over 230 students from schools across the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas. The festival featured multiple hands-on sessions and project-based learning activities designed to spark student interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Exhibitors—including universities, tribal organizations, and education programs—guided participants through interactive experiments aligned with real-world applications.
About the Four Corners Science and Computing Club (4CSCC)
Founded in 2021 and based at Northern Arizona University, the Four Corners Science and Computing Club (4CSCC) is dedicated to promoting interest and access to computing and science among Indigenous youth and rural communities. The club offers mobile and flexible programming focused on scientific computing, physical computing, and environmental data collection, using accessible technology such as Raspberry Pi and Micro:bit. 4CSCC’s mission is to make hands-on STEM learning engaging and culturally relevant by integrating real-world challenges, collaborative problem-solving, and Native perspectives.
4CSCC’s Participation at the STEM Festival
During the festival, 4CSCC set up several interactive stations to showcase lessons from its mobile STEM curriculum. Students rotated between activity tables, engaging with Raspberry Pi mobile labs, coding stations, and Micro:bit-based experiments. Our featured lessons introduce students to physical computing and air quality monitoring, where they work in teams to gather and analyze sensor data.
Another popular station focused on block coding with visual prompts, helping students understand the basics of programming logic through screen-based interaction.
Hands-on projects were designed to be completed in under an hour, allowing students to experience multiple stations and gain exposure to different STEM fields.
Students experimented with blinking LED grids, explored onboard sensors, and followed project guides from 4CSCC’s lab manuals to build mini systems using hardware and software integration.
The setup fostered an engaging, collaborative learning environment, where students developed problem-solving and technical skills in real time.
Acknowledgements
The Four Corners Science and Computing Club extends its acknowledgement to the Diné College Land Grant Office Extension and Outreach team for their support, hospitality, and dedication to education. We also thank the participating schools for their involvement and enthusiasm, including Chinle Elementary School, Piñon Elementary School, K’aa Yik’aas Gi’at’ao Ołta’, San Juan High School, Piedra Vista High School, and Farmington High School. Events like the Diné College STEM Festival continue to inspire the next generation of Indigenous scientists, engineers, and innovators.
Click HERE more information about the Four Corners Science and Computing club.
View more 4CSCC collaborative efforts HERE.