Christopher Columbus Awards | Innovation Generation | Middle School Students Making a Difference
Winning Teams: Finalists 1998

Winning Teams

Finalists 1998
Entry Title:
 The Back Belt
Coach:
 Jeff Bostic
School:
 Hyde Park Middle School
City/State:
 Las Vegas, Nevada
Problem:
 Children being hurt due to inadequate safety restraints on swings in parks and school play grounds.
Solution:
 A back belt to prevent children from falling off the swing and getting injured.

Entry Title:
 Breathing Easier
Coach:
 Jo Ella Allen
School:
 Antelope Crossing Middle School
City/State:
 Antelope Crossing, California
Problem:
 Breathing problems and asthma caused by grass, grass molds and pollen.
Solution:
 Using low mold and low pollen grass seed for new construction sites and reseeding areas.

Entry Title:
 Melting Ice at Crosswalks
Coach:
 Mery Molenaar
School:
 Summit Middle School
City/State:
 Boulder, Colorado
Problem:
 Icy crosswalks at the intersection in front of school.
Solution:
 Heat coils run by a near-by power line, which are placed under a raised crosswalk three meters wide.

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Entry Title:
 Milfoil Madness
Coach:
 John Klein
School:
 Clara Barton Open School
City/State:
 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Problem:
 Increase in milfoil, a pervasive waterweed, which is taking over the lakes causing the native plants and fish to die.
Solution:
 To harvest the milfoil and sell it as wet and/or dry mulch. Also create a public awareness program for this new mulch product.

Entry Title:
 S.P.H.E.R.E.S. — Saving Prairies and Helping Environmental Regions Expand Successfully
Coach:
 Ginger Granger
School:
 Carlinville Middle School
City/State:
 Carlinville, Illinois
Problem:
 Prairie land disappearing at an alarming rate due to construction.
Solution:
 Saving a plot of land, close to school, and restoring it to a prairie setting. This can be used as a learning tool for school and a leisure spot for the community.

Entry Title:
 The Prevention of Cold and Flu Epidemic in Schools
Coach:
 John Swang
School:
 Mandeville Middle School
City/State:
 Mandeville, Louisiana
Problem:
 Preventing the spread of infectious germs in school.
Solution:
 Design a health mask and educate the community on how germs are spread.

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Entry Title:
 T.A.S.K. Force — Tracking and Saving Kids Force
Coach:
 Ann Woodward
School:
 Walden Middle School
City/State:
 Atlanta, Georgia
Problem:
 Poor medical and school recording on the homeless causing time problems.
Solution:
 A clearing house for the homeless students in Atlantic Public Schools where they would have access to permanent address, phone number, fax number, immunization records, a translator and guardianship.

Entry Title:
 Sick Building Syndrome
Coach:
 Glen Eubanks
School:
 Central Middle School
City/State:
 Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Problem:
 Indoor air pollution a.k.a. "Sick Building Syndrome."
Solution:
 Test buildings for the syndrome and try to prevent it by cleaning carpets and replacing filters in the ventilation system.

Entry Title:
 Don't Wait till the Last Flush. Conserve!
Coach:
 Joan Hurd
School:
 Gwyn-Nor Elementary School
City/State:
 North Wales, Pennsylvania
Problem:
 Poor water conservation practices.
Solution:
 Reusing water from household showers to flush toilets.

Entry Title:
 Light is Right
Coach:
 Jim Frank
School:
 Cold Spring Harbor Junior High School
City/State:
 Cold Spring Harbor, New York
Problem:
 Back problems caused by overweight back packs.
Solution:
 Creating awareness through flyers and presentations on the dangers of carrying heavy book bags. Launch a "Light is Right" campaign at school.

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