• By KEVIN ABOUREZK / Lincoln Journal Star
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln project to help tribal college leaders to address environmental concerns they are facing. The goal of a grant is to have tribal students train to help with environmental problems elders and tribal leaders identify.
The grant is part of a pilot program through NSF and EPSCoR — Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research — to target underrepresented populations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The classes with offer chemistry courses to allow students to address real-world problems many tribal leaders must deal with now.
Having researched indigenous science education, he found that providing culturally responsive materials was recommended. He also learned that students accepted projects faster when tribal elders were involved.
Possible ideas to explore: "water and waste-water treatment, Missouri River water quality, organic farming, alternative energy and Type 2 diabetes."
If this project works well, UNL chemist Mark Griep said he plans to eventually disseminate the plan to tribal colleges across the nation, starting with South Dakota.