Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation

Christopher Columbus Awards 2009-2010

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

Finalist Teams

At an awards ceremony held at Walt Disney World@reg;, 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 Columbus Foundation Community Grant to take back to their community to make their innovation a reality.

Gold Medal - Lights Out – Learning Without Limits Science Club, West Branch, IA

Problem: Businesses still using inefficient T12 lighting systems

Solution: Awareness outreach regarding the benefit of retrofitting T12 florescent lighting with energy efficient T8 or T5 lighting systems

Gold Medal - Kreepy Krawlers – All Saints Catholic School, Manahawkin, NJ

Problem: Increase in the gypsy moth population and the damage they cause

Solution: Community Awareness outreach to educate the community about various ways to control the gypsy moth population

$25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant – Arthritis Magic – Madison Middle School, Madison, MS

Problem: People with arthritis having trouble gripping objects, making opening doors a difficult task

Solution: a pull, similar to a fan pull, attached to the left side of the doorknob that when pulled will open the door