Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation

Christopher Columbus Awards 2008-2009

Christopher Columbus Awards and $25,000 Stephen J. Moses Community Grant

Finalist Teams

At an awards ceremony held at Walt Disney Worldï¿½, two of the finalist teams received gold medals and savings bonds for their winning entries. The competition is designed for teams of middle school-age students, and gives the 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 Stephen J. Moses Community Grant to take back to their community to make their innovation a reality. In 2009 the Award was named in honor of the late Stephen J. Moses, a Foundation Board of Trustees member for many years.

Gold Medal - Recycle Because You Care – St. Philip the Apostle School, Addison, IL

Problem: Improve local participation in recycling.

Solution: Community awareness outreach regarding the importance of recycling and to supply free recycling bins to every household.

Gold Medal - Call of the Wild – All Saints Catholic School, Manahawkin, NJ

Problem: Natural habitats being lost to suburban sprawl.

Solution: A four-pronged plan employing action, outreach, education and political initiatives to preserve the many endangered species identified in the community.

$25,000 Stephen J. Moses Community Grant – Ergo-PAD (Ergonomic Posture Alignment Device – Carmel Valley Middle School, San Diego, CA

Problem: Poor body posture when using computers.

Solution: Ergo-PAD: A specialized seat cushion that uses sensory feedback to train people to develop healthy posture while sitting at a computer.