Director William Bradford of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs recently had the opportunity to host the winning students, parents, and mentors of the Second Annual Energy Challenge for American Indian and Alaska Native Youth. Hosted by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, Division of Energy and Mineral Development, in partnership with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), the Energy Challenge encourages high school students to participate in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Jake Keli’I Uyechi (Native Hawaiian), an 11th grader from Hawaii, and Kelly Charley (Navajo), a 12th grader from Arizona, were the two selected Energy Challenge winners for 2017. Their projects focused on utilizing renewable energy to improve their communities’ high electricity costs and unique energy needs, respectively. Director Bradford echoed the importance of STEM and education building in Native communities, and was grateful to be able to view the presentations of the next generation of Native STEM leaders. 

For more information on the students and the Energy Challenge, visit the AISES website.

The Office of Indian Energy supports tribal efforts to build internal capacity to understand and navigate energy projects. Learn about the education and training opportunities offered by the Office of Indian Energy.