Carmel Valley Middle School and Santa Fe Christian School Students Named as One of Eight Finalist Teams in National Science/Community Service Competition, Win Trip to Walt Disney World®

Students develop device to reduce repetitive stress injuries related to computer use.

AUBURN, N.Y. — April 27, 2009 — Bright ideas, solid research and teamwork won four students from Carmel Valley Middle School and Santa Fe Christian School in San Diego, Ca., a spot as finalists in the Christopher Columbus Awards, a nationwide program that challenges middle-school students to explore opportunities for positive change in their communities. Seventh-graders Sean Colford, Ethan Epstein, Brandon Loye, and Michael Walsh, and their coach, Rhonda Epstein, made it to the semifinals earlier this month, and now are one of eight finalist teams in the country to compete for the grand prize — the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant.

Because the mother of one of the students is a physical therapist, the students became aware of the growing problem of repetitive stress injuries (RSIs). RSIs are a group of conditions caused by placing excessive stress or repeated motion on a joint or muscle and are collectively the number one work-related health problem in the U.S., according to the Occupational Safety and Health Association. The students were particularly concerned about RSIs that can result when students and workers maintain poor posture at their computer workstations. These RSIs cause pain, reduce productivity, diminish quality of life, and cost individuals, businesses, and the government millions in insurance and on-the-job injury claims.

The students conducted research online and consulted with several physical therapists as well as the Director of Environmental Health and Safety at Qualcomm to determine what current ergonomic solutions best address the problem of computer-related RSIs. They then set out to create their own solution, with the assistance of engineering, electrical circuitry, and business experts, as well as their former science teacher. The result was the Ergonomic Posture Alignment Device or Ergo-PAD, a specialized seat cushion that uses sensory feedback to train people to develop a healthy posture when sitting at a computer.

"If people work at a computer while sitting on our Ergo-PAD," the team members remarked, "then they will adopt a more favorable, more aligned body position."

A panel of community leaders, scientists and experts in science education selected this idea as one of the top eight entries in the U.S. More than 600 students and coaches participated nationwide.

Team Wins a Trip to Walt Disney World®

The team and their coach win an all-expense-paid trip to the Walt Disney World® Resort, where they will compete in the Christopher Columbus Awards National Championship Week, June 14-19, 2009, plus a $200 grant to further develop their project.

Each member of two Gold Medal winning teams will receive a $2,000 U.S. Savings Bond, and one team will receive the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant as seed money to help bring its idea to life in the community. The Grant-winning team will receive support from the Christopher Columbus Awards staff and continued guidance from their coach and community leaders.

The finalists will also attend the Christopher Columbus Academy, a custom-designed educational program. Conducted by scientists, engineers and educators, the program reveals the science and technology behind the thrills and excitement of Epcot® and the Magic Kingdom®.

Positive Community Change

The Christopher Columbus Awards challenge teams of middle-school students to explore and discover opportunities for positive change in their communities using science and technology. The program is now in its 14th year and has attracted more than 17,000 students from diverse backgrounds all across the U.S. The program is sponsored by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation. Past winners have included: a group of Native American girls who built a study hall out of straw bales on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana; and a team of students from Pennsylvania who developed a video/motion sensor device to deter motorists from trying to illegally pass stopped school buses.

Strong Participation from Girls, Minorities

The program attracts many students who may not typically enter a science competition. More than half of the entrants are girls, and nearly a fourth are from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, statistics that are higher than those of most science competitions. The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation believes the teamwork aspect and community focus draw a broader range of students to enter.

About the Sponsor

The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation is an independent Federal government agency created by Congress in 1992 to encourage and support research, study and labor designed to produce new discoveries in all fields of endeavor for the benefit of mankind. The Foundation has established Frontiers of Discovery — Work in Progress and Discover the Future, programs that recognize “cutting edge” innovations, innovative ideas of America’s youth, and honor teachers. These programs include the Life Sciences Awards, the $25,000 Homeland Security Awards and the Christopher Columbus Awards.

For more information, call 1-800-291-6020 or visit www.christophercolumbusawards.com.

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