Steam academy construction

STEAM Academy Construction Project Grant

The Knik Tribal Council received a $4.307 million Project Grant award dated July 2, 2025, from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education under the Alaska Native Educational Programs (CFDA 84.356). This award supports the construction of a STEAM Academy facility in Palmer, Alaska, with an ultimate completion date of July 1, 2026. The project directly aligns with the Alaska Native Educational Programs' mission to support innovative educational projects that recognize and integrate Alaska Native languages, cultures, and traditional knowledge into educational environments.

As a federally recognized tribal organization serving over 10,000 Alaska Native and Indian people across a 25,000 square mile service area, the Knik Tribal Council has established a track record of delivering culturally responsive educational programming. The STEAM Academy construction represents a significant infrastructure investment designed to support Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics education initiatives for Alaska Native youth. This project complements the tribe's existing educational portfolio, which includes the "Full STEAM Ahead" program and the Delta College and Career Readiness Program, reinforcing the organization's commitment to improving academic achievement and college and career readiness outcomes for Alaska Native students in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley region.