Santa Fe Alliance For Science
Uplifting youth through inclusive science programming
The Santa Fe Alliance for Science (SFAFS) is an all-volunteer organization that has served the students of Santa Fe for over 17 years. Its mission is to “Bring out the inner scientist in every student.” This has involved being both a key part of the Santa Fe School District’s ability to have science fairs for students as well as meeting many STEM related support needs in individual schools.
Although our grant award came late in the fair cycle for 2024, we were thrilled that we were able to award several grants last year both for the regular science fairs and for the Santa Fe High School Capstone Engineering 12th grade program. In the 2024-2025 school year, with an earlier start in announcing the “Economic Diversity Grant Award” program, we gave out a total of 12 grants thus far for both the regular science fairs now ongoing, as well as to the Capstone Engineering students at the Santa Fe High School.
At the end of last year’s science season, we had several of our Santa Fe students go on to compete in the NM Regional competition with success there as well. A seventh-grader from Mandela International Magnet School, emerged as a standout, claiming multiple accolades including the coveted Junior Grand Award in Physical Sciences. In a collaborative effort from Nina Otero Community School, a group of three seventh-graders tackled the pressing issue of climate change, garnering the attention of Climate Change New Mexico.
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The Santa Fe Community Foundation invited its nonprofit grantees to submit stories related to our August topic of Education.
Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
Last year, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian opened Carved Stories by Hopi artist Mavasta Honyouti. Featuring all sixteen low-relief carvings from the Coming Home series — created in tandem with Honyouti’s children’s book Coming Home: A Hopi Resistance Story — the exhibit recounts his grandfather Clyde Honyouti’s experience at an off-reservation federal boarding school. This Indigenous-led project offers a powerful and visually compelling reflection on Hopi life, culture, and history. As Brian Vallo notes, “Carved Stories… is both powerful and beautiful.”
Kha'p'o Community School
With support from the Native American Advised Fund, sixth-grade students at Kha’p’o Community School embarked on Our Voice, Our Stories — a year-long documentary project blending traditional Tewa arts and modern digital storytelling. Through pottery, weaving, sewing, and film, students explored their cultural identity and celebrated their voices as young Tewa people.
Truchas Services Center Preschool
The Truchas Services Center Preschool serves children from all the surrounding communities, providing supervision and appropriate curriculum for children ages 3 to 5 years old. The mission of the Pre-School program is "Children learning through playing".
