The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge awarded Bullis Charter School’s fourth grade second place in the 3-5 grade level for its project on developing an erosion control method and preventing loss of habitat in a nature preserve.
Lynn Reed, Bullis Charter School science and engineering specialist, served as mentor to the victorious team.
Nearly 13,500 elementary students participated in this year’s Challenge, which aimed to empower young people to create solutions to today’s environmental problems. A panel of environmental advocates and science educators selected the Bullis team based on the project’s ability to resolve a current environmental issue at the school and encourage others to participate.
The students and Reed collected data, researched riparian environments and developed plans for habitat restoration. They discovered that their methods were successful in preventing erosion and restoring habitat and continue to work with staff at the nature preserve.
“This year’s group of elementary-school teams drove environmental change in their classrooms and schools,” said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, president of the Siemens Foundation. “(Bullis students) demonstrated that no matter their age, our country’s youth are excited and energetic about solving the environmental issues facing our communities. The Siemens Foundation and its partners are proud of these students and their mentors for encouraging their peers to take action and create a more sustainable world.”
As the second-place winner, the fourth-graders will receive a prize package that includes a banner for their school and a Siemens We Can Change the World green prize and temporary tattoos for each student. In addition, Reed will receive a $3,000 grant for the school, free registration and hotel accommodations at an upcoming National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) national or area conference, a one-year membership to NSTA and a pocket video camera.
The Challenge is a collaborative effort of the Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, the College Board and NSTA. More than 35,000 students have participated in the Challenge since its inception in 2008.
For more information, visit www.wecanchange.com.