The Lower Brule Research Lab is receiving a $5,000 award from the Society for Science and the Public. This is part of a grant program to get young people enthusiastic about the STEM field.
Twenty STEM organizations across the country are receiving a total of $65,000 to promote scientific education and literacy.
Lower Brule Research is receiving $5,000 to encourage Native American students to enter STEM fields.
Maya Ajmera is the President and CEO of the Society for Science and the Public. She says there are many STEM organizations encouraging diversity in the scientific field.
"One of the things that makes all of them so unique is that they’re grounded in the community that they’re serving, and they really are understanding what the needs are for that community, and so for Lower Brule Research, it was just so interesting." says Ajmera. "Also, using scientific concepts and inquiries to solve problems that the Native American young people have heard from the tribal elders and how to solve those problems using scientific research and using, then mentoring to further that research.”
Lower Brule has three summer programs for young native students, SDSU undergrads, and adult native STEM educators.
Esibelle Estes is a 14-year-old student at Lower Brule. She says her experience has not only taught her about science, but broadened her vision of how she can help her community.
"In the end, I never really thought about pursuing anything that had to do with the STEM research field or anything like that, but after going through this program, it’s opened my eyes to lots of different opportunities and lots of different jobs," says Estes. "I do believe it’s helped me grow as a person, and not only in the science field.”
Estes says she would encourage other kids her age to pursue STEM to learn more about science and, in a small way, help change the world.