{"id":794,"date":"2019-01-07T03:57:12","date_gmt":"2019-01-07T08:57:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/?p=794"},"modified":"2024-08-26T05:23:21","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T09:23:21","slug":"lower-brule-research-science-infused-community-spirit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/lower-brule-research-science-infused-community-spirit\/","title":{"rendered":"Lower Brule Research: Science Infused with Community Spirit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lower Brule Research<\/a> is doing something unique and creative that deserves our attention. The youth of Lower Brule engage the community to find out what issues are in need of a solution. Then they go to work, finding the answers through science and research.<\/p>\n

This work not only bring youth closer to their elders and their community, but it sharpens their curiosity for learning. They learn that they can be effective in making positive change through study and hard work. And they\u2019re giving back, acknowledging where they come from and showing a sense of gratitude.<\/p>\n

This is something we felt we had to support, if even in a small way, through our Kars4Kids small grant<\/a> program. We love to see children using STEM to help their communities and would like to see other communities adopt this approach. We spoke with Lower Brule Research Executive Director Devon Riter to learn more about this important work:<\/p>\n

Kars4Kids: Your website speaks of \u201ccommunity-centered science.\u201d What does that mean, exactly?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Devon Riter: I think science is really just an approach for answering questions, and community-centered science involves bringing community members together to collaboratively develop and ultimately answer the questions they find important.<\/p>\n

\"Lower<\/p>\n

Kars4Kids: What are some of the projects your interns have completed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Devon Riter: Interns have completed a range of projects from understanding how to grow hydroponic and aquaponic vegetables to creating social media videos highlighting knowledge from local Lakota elders.<\/p>\n

\"Lower<\/p>\n

Kars4Kids: Lots of organizations help the community through volunteer work<\/a>. How do Lower Brule Research science projects help the Lower Brule community?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Devon Riter: The summer internship experience is a research experience aimed at answering a specific question and then sharing that knowledge with the community. Ultimately interns work to add to our community\u2019s understanding of the issues they find important.<\/p>\n