Red Cloud Indian School Students Advance to International Science Competition
posted on March 28, 2013
by Christopher Ives
Two students from the Red Cloud Indian School will compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair after winning first place at the National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 21.
Savannah Jenson and Bobby Pouier, took first place at the national-level science fair for their project studying the effect of Lakota prayer on uranium levels across the reservation. Their win prompted an invitation to attend the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair to present their findings along with 1,500 students from 70 countries around the world.
Red Cloud High School Science Chair Wendell Gehman, who accompanied the students to the fair, was elated when he heard the news. Through Gehman’s work and a generous grant from the Toyota Foundation in support of science initiatives, Red Cloud’s science has experienced remarkable success in recent months. In addition to Jenson and Pouier’s recent win, Red Cloud students also traveled to Alaska to take part in the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s national conference. This winter, a leading scientist from Proctor & Gamble traveled to Red Cloud as part of the school’s effort to bring professional native scientists into the classroom to engage with students.
The students will attend the Intel competition in Phoenix, Arizona this May. “I’m excited we get to go and represent our school and Native Americans,” says Pourier in a recent interview.
“Science is a part of us as indigenous people and I always valued that,” Jensen stated. “It all feels incredible! I plan on expanding my research.”
Sierra Concha at Red Cloud High School also covered this story, HERE.
Photo: Left-to-Right - Bobby Pourier, Wendell Gehmen, Savannah Jensen
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