Minorities are significantly underrepresented in science and engineering fields in the United States. To attract and retain capable minority students requires the development of programs which motivate and encourage them toward science and engineering. This project is designed to involve students in hands-on research activities in the NAPI (Navajo Agricultural Product Industry) under the guidance of professionals. The project has the following distinctive objectives: Increasing the understanding and effectiveness of problem-solving, information processing and decision-making analysis related to water, land, human resources and environmental protection for irrigated agricultural systems. Training and encouraging Native American, Hispanic and other minority students, as well as women, to complete graduate work and pursue engineering and agricultural economic careers in the development and application of technology to improve resource management. Implementing a teamwork learning environment that includes undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and an outside corporation (NAPI). Collaborating institutions and organizations, in addition to Colorado State University, are the Navajo Agricultural Product Industry, Fort Lewis College College, and the University of Souther Colorado.
