Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation

Christopher Columbus Awards 2006-2007

Christopher Columbus Awards and $25,000 Christopher Columbus Foundation Community Grant

Finalist Teams

At an awards ceremony held at Walt Disney World®, two of the finalist teams received gold medals and savings bonds for their winning entries. The competition is geared toward middle school-age children, and gives students experience in solving problems using the scientific process of exploring, analyzing and drawing conclusions.

The finalist teams were judged a second time for the practicality of implementing their idea. The winning team received the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant to take back to their community to make their innovation a reality.

Gold Medal - Energizers – Whiteface Elementary School, Whiteface, TX

Problem: Rising fuel prices affecting local cotton farmers.

Solution: Use wind turbines to generate electricity to run water pumps and irrigation systems.

Gold Medal - Wetlands Education Team � West Geauga Middle School, Chesterland, OH

Problem: Destruction of the local wetlands leading to the disappearance of the Osprey.

Solution: Educate the public and schools about nearby existing wetlands and enlist their help to preserve them.

$25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant – Unrecognized Hazard: Used Oil Filters – West Branch Middle School, West Branch, IA

Problem: Environmental hazards caused by used oil filters being disposed of in household trash and ultimately landfills.

Solution: Public awareness campaign to educate the community about this environmental hazard.

In 2006 the Board of Trustees of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation added a new award, named for the Foundation�s late Founder, the Honorable Frank Annunzio. This year�s award focused on energy conservation or alternative energy sources.

Frank Annunzio Chairman�s Award – Saltwater Marshals – Ripley�s Aquarium, Myrtle Beach, SC

Problem: Disappearing salt marshes and the need for alternative energy sources.

Solution: A tidal mill using the ocean�s tides to generate energy and an environmental education program.

The Saltwater Marshals team members each received a $1,000 saving bond. A $5,000 donation is presented to a non-profit organization of their choice to help implement their program.