Ground Broken for new STEAM Education Building at Navajo Prep

The new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Facility will provide expanded space for Navajo Prep’s International Baccalaureate program and career-focused pathways.

From Navajo Preparatory School

August 17, 2026

On August 17, 2026, Navajo Preparatory School celebrated the groundbreaking of its new Indigenous Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Facility, marking a significant milestone in the school’s 35-year history and its continued commitment to preparing Diné students to become leaders now and into the future.

The new facility will provide expanded space for Navajo Prep’s International Baccalaureate program and career-focused pathways. The building will include classrooms for Diné material arts, visual arts, design technology, film, and music, along with a makerspace where students can gather to build, invent, and learn. This facility will also be home to a state-of-the-art auditorium, administrative offices, and a gallery to showcase student work. Navajo Prep, in partnership with FBT Architects and FCI Constructors, Inc., has reached 100 percent design completion, marking an important step toward construction.

“This is more than a new building. It carries forward the lessons and teachings of the Old Admin Building while creating new opportunities for our students,” said Head of School Shawna Allison Becenti. “Our students will weave and they will code. They will sing on the stage and design in the makerspace. The Indigenous STEAM Facility represents tradition and innovation, side by side, because that is who we have always been as Diné.”

Development of the facility has received support from leaders at the state, Navajo Nation, and federal levels. “Navajo Prep is a model of educational leadership,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “This school has shown what's possible when high expectations for students are matched with meaningful support for their families. New Mexico is proud to stand behind this STEAM center and the students it will serve."

The State of New Mexico has dedicated approximately $10 million to this building through capital outlay funding. Senator William Sharer, Senator Shannon Pinto and Representative Joseph Hernandez have supported Navajo Prep’s capital outlay efforts and attended the groundbreaking. Senator Sharer spoke directly to all Navajo Prep students, emphasizing the project’s investment in their future. He said, “Students, you need to understand that a project like this is really an investment in you. I’m excited to see this building go up, but I am even more excited to see what comes out of it.”

The Indigenous STEAM Facility’s first funding commitment came in 2024, when U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich secured $2 million in federal Congressional Direct Spending for the project. This initial investment helped launch a broader effort to secure additional funds for the project.

The Indigenous STEAM Facility also demonstrates the continued commitment from the Navajo Nation to invest in the education, leadership, and future of its young people. President Dr. Buu Nygren attended the groundbreaking along with 25th Navajo Nation Council Delegates Vince James, George Tolth, Curtis Yanito, and Helena Nez Begaye. President Dr. Buu Nygren said, “I think this $30 million STEAM facility is a wonderful investment. Our Navajo people are very in tune when it comes to engineering and the sciences because we’ve been scientists and engineers for a very, very long time. This is a big win for the Navajo Nation, the Navajo people. I think that this is going to be an opportunity to see even more talent come out of Navajo Prep.”

The Indigenous STEAM Facility showcases Navajo Preparatory School’s 35th anniversary theme of, “35 Years of Culture, Leadership, and Innovation,” and reflects the school’s mission of: Yideeską́ą́góó Naat’áanii—Leaders Now and Into the Future.