Students from the Otoe-Missouria Tribe participated in a STEM camp learning about ecology, biology and math at Mid-America Christian University (MACU).
“Encouraging an interest in math and science today can cultivate a lifelong pursuit in STEM,” said Dr. Harold Kihega, chair of the MACU School of Biology. “We hope to expand our learning camps to other Tribes to offer more students learning experiences that last a lifetime.”
Nine students participated and ranged from the fourth to eighth grades.
Activities included strawberry DNA extraction, predator-prey interactions and modeling the potential spread of a Zombie outbreak.
“Dr. Harold Kihega is an Otoe-Missouria member and reached out about hosting this camp for our kids,” said Laura Hall, youth director for the Otoe-Missouria Tribe. “This was such an exciting event full of fun and educational activities for our kids and a way to keep their minds active in the summer.”
The Tribe donated $20,000 to the biology department to purchase microscopes and testing equipment.