Contact: Linda Topoleski, 412-281-2345 School Phone: 931-484-7547
Crossville Students Named Finalists in National Competition
Team Wins Trip to Walt Disney World® to Present Ideas for Preservation of the Cumberland Plateau
WASHINGTON, D.C.—April 23, 2002—A team of two students from Glenn L. Martin Elementary and one student from South Cumberland Elementary from Crossville, TN, today became one of just 10 teams in the nation to be named finalists in the Bayer/National Science Foundation Award, a cutting-edge program that challenges middle school students to use science and technology to make their community a better place to live.
"Today, the heavily forested areas of the Cumberland Plateau are being threatened by urbanization, home development and new highways," said seventh-graders Kevin Chamberlin, Mark Kohlenberger and sixth-grader Nick Bussey. The students noted that the resulting ecological loss of native plants and animals could have a devastating effect on the region’s biodiversity.
Coached by teacher Vicki Presson, the students conducted field tests to assess how urbanization and reduction of the hardwood forest would affect plant and wildlife. The team will develop an educational initiative including a nature pavilion with an informational kiosk to interest students about the importance of preserving natural landscapes. "We can make a difference by reaching future landowners to teach them about being good stewards of the environment," said the team. They now advance to the finals in the Bayer/NSF Award for a chance to win the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant, seed money to help the team brings its idea to life.
The students began developing their entry last fall. They conducted research and worked with community leaders and other mentors to develop and test their solutions, then submitted an entry comprised of written and visual components. A national panel of judges selected their proposal as one of the top 10 from among more than 600 entries submitted nationwide. Nearly 2,500 students participated.
Teams to Compete for $25,000 Grant, Savings Bonds at Walt Disney World®
As finalists, each team and their coach have won an all-expenses-paid trip to the Walt Disney World® Resort from June 14-21, where they will compete in the Bayer/NSF Award’s National Championship. The first-, second- and third-place teams will receive up to $20,000, $12,000 and $4,000 in savings bonds, respectively. One team will win the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant.
While in Orlando, the students will present their projects to a prestigious panel of national judges and attend the Christopher Columbus Academy, a custom-designed educational experience that explores the science and technology of the theme park as well as the Space Shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center.
The 2002 Bayer/NSF Award National Championship judging panel includes: Renee Wilkerson Anderson, Teacher, Grant High School; Steve Culbertson, CEO, Youth Service America; Greg Hale, Vice President Design & Engineering and Regulatory Compliance, Walt Disney Company; Dr. William Warren, CEO, SCIPERO,Inc.; Dr. James Youniss, Life Cycle Institute, Catholic University.
Other finalists include: "Stopping Carts," from Brandon, MS; "Quiet Car Alarms," from San Diego, CA; "Baby Beepers for Cars," from Las Vegas, NV; "Going Buggy for Amish Roadway Safety," from Sullivan, OH; "Pendulum Braking System for Wheelchairs," from North Wales, PA; "Ladder Maniacs," from Summerville, SC; "Project Red Arroyo," from San Angelo, TX; "Comfort Quest," from Manassas, VA; and "Milfoil Master," from Minocqua, WI.
Attracting Kids to Science and Community Service
Sponsored by Bayer Corporation as part of its Making Science Make Sense program, the National Science Foundation, and the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, the Bayer/NSF Award was created after studies revealed that middle school is the stage where U.S. students fall behind their peers around the world in science achievement.
Now in its sixth year, the program is endorsed by the National Middle School Association and incorporates many of the recommendations of the National Science Education Standards, emphasizing teamwork, inquiry and real-world settings to attract students to science, technology and community service.
For more information, visit www.christophercolumbusawards.com or call 1-800-291-6020.
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