Goat Milk Showdown: Middle School Students Discover Lactose Intolerance Remedy in Science Competition

Sienna Harden and Vivian Bozek, two sixth-grade students at Saint Joseph Catholic School, have recently earned first place in the middle school animal sciences division at the 69th Annual Colorado Science and Engineering Fair held at Colorado State University. Their project, “You Got Good Milk,” focused on determining which goat milk was the best based on various factors.

During their research, Sienna shared that they wanted to explore goat milk as a dairy substitute for those who are lactose intolerant. As they discovered through their research, older goats produce higher-quality milk compared to younger goats. They also noted that the breed of goat plays a significant role in the quality of the milk. Larger breeds like Nubian and Alpine had higher fat and protein content, while smaller breeds like Nigerian Dwarf had higher levels of cholesterol. This finding was surprising to Sienna and Vivian, as it went against their initial assumptions.

As winners of the competition, Sienna and Vivian were awarded $225 and medals. Their project was also nominated for the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, an honor that recognizes their project as being in the top ten percent of middle school science fair projects in the nation.

Saint Joseph Catholic School is committed to providing students with an education grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Catholic teachings, and academic excellence. The school aims to nurture students’ talents, foster a love for learning, and instill values that promote compassion and respect for others. To learn more about Saint Joseph Catholic School or schedule a tour, visit .