Navajo Students Win Big at First Science Fair in Years

Students at a rural New Mexico high school are proving that Indigenous science deserves recognition, one creative experiment at a time.

Navajo Pine High School hosted its first science fair in several years on February 11, bringing together 18 student projects that tackled real-world problems affecting their community. Students explored topics like soil pH levels across the Navajo Nation, the electrical conductivity of different fruits, and whether rabbitbrush could work as a natural antibacterial disinfectant.

The event marked a turning point for STEM education at the school, which specializes in technology education under Gallup-McKinley County Schools. Science teacher Kim Etsitty organized the fair to show students that their cultural knowledge and scientific curiosity belong in the same conversation.

"Science fairs are especially important for our Indigenous students because they show that Indigenous science is real science and deserves recognition," Etsitty said. "They also create opportunities for students to see themselves as scientists, engineers, and researchers."

Council Delegate Casey Allen Johnson served as a judge alongside scientists from the Navajo Natural Heritage Program, which works on habitat restoration and agricultural projects across the nation. He came away impressed by what he saw.

"Our Navajo students are so brilliant in their ideas," Johnson said. "Whether they realize it or not, they are finding solutions that help advance our Navajo science community."

Hailey Yazzie and McKayla Tsosie took first place in environmental science with their "Matchstick Forest" project. Abel Arthur and Jakobe Rodriguez won first place in computer science for "Weights and Robots," exploring robotics and programming.

The Ripple Effect

The science fair does more than celebrate student achievement. It opens doors to bigger opportunities that many rural Indigenous students might never encounter.

Top performers are heading to the National American Invitational Science and Engineering Fair in Oklahoma City, the largest national STEM competition designed specifically for Indigenous students. The trip is fully funded and pending approval from the school district.

For students in a community where STEM pathways aren't always visible, seeing Native scientists judge their work sends a powerful message. The judges from the Navajo Natural Heritage Program represent what's possible when traditional ecological knowledge meets modern science.

The fair also strengthens college applications and creates pathways to STEM internships and programs. In a region where access to these opportunities can be limited, events like this level the playing field.

"This opportunity affirms access to Native knowledge systems and encourages research grounded in Diné values," Johnson added. "It supports sustained engagement in STEM pathways."

The next generation of Navajo scientists is already asking questions and seeking answers rooted in their community's needs.