May 4, 2009
Contact: Jennifer Bierhuizen Or: Stephanie Hallman
(540)829-0806 Christopher Columbus Awards
daedalus6@hotmail.com (800)291-6020
shallman@mmseducation.com
Culpeper County Students Named as One of Eight Finalist Teams
in National Science/Community Service Competition,
Win Trip to Walt Disney World®
Students organize pharmacy “take back” program to keep pharmaceuticals from reaching the drinking water supply.
Bright ideas, solid research and teamwork won four students from the Culpeper County area 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. Eighth graders Gates Bierhuizen and Wyatt Montgomery, sixth graders Ryker Bierhuizen and Chandler Curnow, and their coach, Jennifer Bierhuizen, 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.
When the grandfather of two of the team members passed away in 2008, leaving behind numerous prescription and over the counter medications, the question of how to properly dispose of these drugs became an issue of concern for the team. The standard practice of flushing unused medications down the toilet or tossing them in the trash has helped cause nearly every water source in the nation to become contaminated with antibiotics, birth control hormones, antidepressants, caffeine, and other pharmaceutical substances, resulting in dire consequences for both human and wildlife populations.
The team contacted various state and federal health and environmental agencies, none of which could provide a safe means for disposing of the medications. Since no such programs were already in place, the team organized its own pharmacy “take back” drive, under the regulation of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. The well publicized, three hour event, held at a local pharmacy, allowed residents to turn in unused medications for safe disposal. The students, with the assistance of the pharmacist and other adults, collected 25 pounds or 200 bottles of unwanted or expired medications, which were then turned over to a licensed reverse drug distributor.
“We would love to see a wider acceptance of this program,” the team members remarked. “Our scientific test has demonstrated decisively that people have the desire and willingness to support pharmacy ‘take back’ programs and are very concerned about the safety of the water they are drinking.”
A panel of community leaders, scientists and experts in science education selected this idea as one of the top eight entries in the US. More than 600 students and coaches participated nationwide.
Team Wins a Trip to Walt Disney WorldÒ
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 US 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 13th year and has attracted more than 16,000 students from diverse backgrounds all across the US. The program is sponsored by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation (www.columbusfdn.org). 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 Life Sciences Awards, the $25,000 Homeland Security Award, Christopher Columbus Awards, and the $10,000 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award.
For more information, call 1-800-291-6020 or visit www.christophercolumbusawards.com.
