Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation

Christopher Columbus Awards 2012-2013

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

Finalist Teams

At an awards ceremony held at Walt Disney World®, two of the eight Finalist teams received Gold Medals and $2,000 per team member 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.

Gold Medal - The Biodiesel Weasels - Pinnacle Charter School, Federal Heights, CO

Problem: Increased transportation costs

Solution:"Top off" fuel tanks of the district's buses with biodiesel fuel to help reduce transportation costs

Gold Medal - S.L.I.D.E.: Solar Light Indicating Danger Ecologically – STEM Science Team, Roan Mountain, TN

Problem: Playground equipment becoming hot enough to cause second- to third-degree burns

Solution: S.L.I.D.E. – A solar powered warning system designed to detect playground equipment surface temperatures and to visually alert playground visitors when the surface becomes dangerously hot

$25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant - Zero Waste Team – Charter Oaks Academy, Hockessin, DE

Problem: Delaware landfills almost to full capacity

Solution: S.L.I.D.E. – Outreach program consisting of residential curbside composting, business composting and composting education

Chairman's Award - Flame On! – Whiteface Science Rocks U, Whiteface, TX

Problem: Damage caused to homes from wildfires

Solution: A redesigned roofing shingle that contains polymers to help reduce a rooftop's flammability