All participants are REQUIRED to sign up during AISES National Conference registration in order to attend these special activities. Space is limited and some activities require a purchased ticket.
Wednesday, October 1 (Pre-conference)
STEM Activities Day
Wednesday, October 1 from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Audience - 250 pre-college students (middle school and high school only)
This fun, interactive day of activities will include hands-on STEM-themed ideas and challenges. Start your AISES National Conference off right with a full afternoon of STEM activities and information. This event includes chances to win great prizes! Food and beverages will be provided.
- Agenda
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Conference Badge Pickup for Full Conference Registrations Only
12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m. Orientation
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Session Block One
1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. BREAK (go to next activity)
1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. Session Block Two
2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. BREAK (go to next activity)
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Session Block Three
Thursday, October 2
Polaris x Indian Motorcycle Engineering Tour & Ride
Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 11:00am-4:45 pm
Audience – College Students
Bus ride: 45 minutes
Max: 30 attendees
Depart from: 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Arrive at: 7290 E. Viking Blvd, Wyoming, MN 55092
All tours have a $5 non-refundable commitment fee.
Undergraduate and graduate students interested in exploring Indian Motorcycle’s Engineering facility including sound and vibration chamber, vehicle testing, and design and development studio. Join us for a tour, learn ways the Indian Motorcycle brand is partnering with Indigenous communities, and get the chance to take a ride on one of our Polaris ATV’s to experience how Polaris employee #THINKOUTSIDE.
- Agenda
Engineering Studio Tour (Alan)
Polaris ATV Ride (Korinne)
Presentation + Lunch (Micki)- 11:00-11:15am - Bus leaves the Mpls Convention Center
- 12pm - 15-minute arrival and check in/leave cell phones at the front desk
- 12:15 – 1:15 - Group 1 Tour, Group 2 Ride, Group 3 Presentation + Lunch
- 15-minute break
- 1:30 – 2:30 - Group 1 Ride, Group 2 Presentation + Lunch, Group 3 Tour
- 15-minute break
- 2:45 – 3:45 - Group 1 Presentation + Lunch, Group 2 Tour, Group 3 Ride
- 15-minute break
- 4:00pm - Bus Pickup (Bus transportation coordinated by AISES)
- 4:45pm - Student arrive back to the Minneapolis Convention Center
There will be 15 minutes between activities for bathroom break and transition.
Boston Scientific Tour
Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 12:30-4:30 pm
Audience – College Students
Bus ride: 25 minutes
Max: 50 attendees
Depart from: 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Arrive at: 7 Quality Dr, Arden Hills, MN 55112
All tours have a $5 non-refundable commitment fee.
Imagine yourself in the medical device industry with a tour of Boston Scientific’s site in Arden Hills, which supports Cardiac Rhythm Management & Diagnostics, Electrophysiology, Interventional Cardiology, Peripheral Interventions, Endoscopy, Urology, and Neuromodulation products. Students will see the design and manufacturing process while touring the Cardiac Rhythm Management research and development lab and production line, work with hands on models, hear from employees on how their work impacts patients, and talk with industry professionals about student opportunities and career paths in MedTech.
- Agenda
12:30 pm Depart Minneapolis Convention Center
12:55 pm Arrive at Boston Scientific
1:00 pm – 3:50 Site visit
1:00-1:55 pm
Patient Impact and Careers in Medtech
2:00-2:50 pm
Production Tour
2:55-3:45 pm
R&D Lab Tour and Hands-On Activities
3:50 pm Depart Boston Scientific
4:30 pm Arrive at Minneapolis Convention Center
Tour Red Lake Nation College – Minneapolis Site, learn about TCUs in Urban Areas!
Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 1:30-5:30 pm
Audience – All Registered Attendees
Bus ride: 10 minutes
Max: 45 attendees
Depart from: 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Arrive at: 900 S 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN, 55415
All tours have a $5 non-refundable commitment fee.
Tour the brand-new Red Lake Nation College Minneapolis Site, the first tribal college campus in an urban setting. Located in the heart of Downtown East, near landmarks like the Guthrie Theater and Gold Medal Park, this modern, state-of-the-art facility opened in 2024 and blends Indigenous tradition with academic innovation. Guests will explore our beautiful event and learning spaces while hearing from RLNC President Chief Dan King and the Minneapolis Site Executive Director about the vital role tribal colleges play in higher education, cultural preservation, and community building. Discover why tribal colleges are not only a powerful place to start your academic journey but also a cornerstone for cultural connection in Native communities.
- Agenda
1:30pm Depart Minneapolis Convention Center
1:40pm Arrive at Red Lake Nation College
1:55pm Welcome and Overview of Red Lake Nation College
2:00pm Tour Red Lake Nation College – Minneapolis Site
2:30pm Presentation of Why Tribal Colleges are A Great Place to Start: Cornerstone of Cultural Connection
3:00pm Q&A
3:15pm Depart Red Lake Nation College for return to Minneapolis Convention Center
3:30pm Arrive back at Minneapolis Convention Center
Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine facility tour
Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 1:30-5:30 pm
Audience – All attendees
Walking to location
Max: 40 attendees
Depart from: 1301 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Arrive at: 600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
All tours have a $5 non-refundable commitment fee.
Tour of One Discovery Square, Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine complex in downtown Minneapolis.
Step into the future of sports science with a behind-the-scenes tour of Mayo Clinic Square in downtown Minneapolis – home of the Minnesota Lynx and the Timberwolves! Explore the cutting-edge Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Complex where elite performance, groundbreaking technology, and human movement come together.
Whether you're a high school/college athlete, or just into sports and fitness, you'll get an up-close look at how experts help everyone from pro athletes to weekend warriors stay in peak condition. Learn how the sports medicine team use state-of-the-art tools to improve performance and prevent injuries.
- Agenda
1:30 – Tour Group #1: Group of 10, 30-45 minutes
2:30 – Tour Group #2: Group of 10, 30-45 minutes
3:30 – Tour Group #3: Group of 10, 30-45 minutes
4:30 – Tour Group #4: Group of 10, 30-45 minutes
FIIRE Hackathon
Thursday, October 2 from 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Audience – Students, Professionals, Advisors and Chaperones
Limit: 75 participants
The FIIRE Hackathon sponsored by Chevron takes coding and robotics to a new level by challenging participants to rapidly build and code a prototype that solves a real-world problem. Learners of all ages and backgrounds will work in teams of 2-5 people. Teams will have 3 hours to design, build, code, and test their prototype. Hackathon Coaches will be in the room and available to help and provide guidance. At the end of the 3 hours, teams will go before our panel of judges for a Shark Tank style elevator pitch on their prototype.
No experience necessary. Must arrive by 4:30 p.m. Dinner and snacks provided.
Graduate Student Mixer
Thursday, October 2 from 7:45 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
Audience - 150 graduate and master level college students
Be part of this fun and interactive networking session for Masters/Doctoral Students level student attendees. Light hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Friday, October 3
Bison Bump Business Plan Challenge
Friday, October 3 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Audience - 100 professionals and college students
The Bison Bump Business Plan Challenge is an initiative supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship among AISES college members. The Bison Bump Challenge celebrates efforts that combine engineering, science, technology, mathematics and tradition to create healthier futures for people and the planet.
Do you have a bold idea or innovative project that uses STEM to improve the world? Answer the Open Call for STEM-related Projects: Tapping into the Tradition of Native Innovation. Join us in showcasing the future of STEM powered by community wisdom, curiosity, and courage. Let's create solutions that honor both innovation and tradition.
AISES student members in the U.S. and Canada can apply in teams of up to five. Participants will present their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges. The competition offers prizes, networking, mentorship, and international visibility, culminating in a live presentation at the 2025 AISES National Conference.
Join Us as a Bison Bump Audience Member!
Be part of the excitement and help crown the People's Choice winner! Cast your vote by dropping a buffalo nickel for your favorite project. Your vote makes all the difference—show your support and let your voice be heard!
Vote with a nickel. Choose your champion. Feel the Bump!
- Tentative Agenda
Experience an unforgettable day at the Bison Bump Business Plan Challenge and let your creative energy flow!
2:00–2:30 p.m. 2025 Bison Bump Kickoff
2:30 –3:00 p.m. Finalists compete (5 teams)
3:00–3:15 p.m. People’s Choice voting
3:15–3:30 p.m. Wrap-Up
Professionals Networking Reception (Ticket purchase required)
Friday, October 3 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Audience - 200 professionals and college students
Ticket price: $55
This fun and interactive event welcomes professional and student members that are about to become professionals to network in a comfortable setting. Students will also be able to interact with Professional Chapter representatives and talk about professional membership. The event is intended for professionals and college students that will soon be entering the work force. Space is limited. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served.
Saturday, October 4
Student Awards Ceremony
Saturday, October 4 from 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Audience - 250 high school, and college students
This event honors the incredible STEM talent at AISES from scholarship awardees to interns, as well as the exemplary chapters who power, connect, and elevate the AISES mission. All student research presenters should attend this event as research award winners will be announced.
Closing Banquet
Saturday, October 4 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Audience – All registered attendees
The Closing Awards Banquet features live entertainment, pays tribute to the AISES Professional of the Year Award winners, Partner Service Award recipients, and much more!