CROWNPOINT – The Office of Diné Youth (ODY) held the first Navajo Nation Science Fair in years on April 23, 2026. This year marked the first time the Navajo Nation-wide science fair has been held since it stopped during the pandemic.
The science fair drew more than 80 entries from students across the Navajo Nation in grades 4th through 8th competing in seven categories: animal science, behavioral and social science, engineering and computer science, physical science, environmental science, biology, and chemistry.
There were prizes for first and second place winners in each category and age group. All children received T-shirts and certificates recognizing their accomplishments. Projects were judged on research question, design and methodology, execution, creativity and presentation.
Virginia Nelson, ODY Crownpoint Program Supervisor, said that before the lapse in the annual science fair, there would be up to 300 entries with presentations and judging taking place over the course of three days. Since this was the first year it re-started, the number of students entering was smaller, but the entries were creative and the students were inspiring.
Navajo Division for Children and Family Services Communications Director Karen Francis served as a judge during the science fair. She said it was an exciting and enlightening opportunity for students to learn how to present with confidence and plan for future research that would affect the Navajo Nation.
“Our children are natural scientists,” she said, noting that many Diné teachings are rooted in science including the Diné methodology model of nitsáhákees, nahat’á, iiná and siihasin.
Vikki Shirley of the Office of the President and Vice President also served as a judge during the science fair. She said she was amazed by the different science projects that were presented. “I could see the students put a lot of thought and effort into their projects. Most of the students that I spoke to gave praise to their teachers. I thank all the teachers for inspiring and educating our children,” she said.
The goals for the science fair are to improve research skills among students and to recognize students who work on these projects.
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