Rising Stars of Science: Oglala Lakota College Hosts Reservation-Wide Science Fair Amidst Challenges

In April, the Annual Reservation Wide Science Fair was hosted by Oglala Lakota College. Despite having over 100 students, only 12 projects were completed due to time constraints. From January to April, students worked on developing their project ideas, researching, and selecting topics that interested them. They were guided through the process of forming hypotheses and understanding the scientific method before beginning their experiments.

Despite facing challenges, the students from Wolf Creek 7-8 grade worked diligently and showcased their dedication, research skills, and talents in each project. The teacher expressed immense pride in their hard work and congratulated the students on their successful completion of the projects.

The projects completed by the students included a variety of topics and experiments. For example, one group of 8th graders studied the quality of water in Wolf Creek, while another group explored the breakdown of meat exposed to room temperature. Additionally, students compared different types of gum, potato chips, and bacteria growth on various surfaces. There were also projects that focused on chemical reactions, such as growing crystals and creating a lava lamp. Social projects were also part of the science fair, with one group testing the effects of speaking kindly or harshly to plants. Other projects involved design and engineering, such as building rockets