Students Mount a Community-Wide 'Challenge Walk' to
Take the First Step in Reversing the Obesity Trend

AUBURN, NY—April 27, 2007— Bright ideas, solid research and teamwork won four students from All Saints Catholic School in Manahawkin, NJ, 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 Jonathan Kuna, Lauren Miller, Kayla McKnight, and Kaitlyn Ryan, and their coach, Stephen Kubricki, 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.

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. Nearly two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, and between 12%-20% of children are joining those ranks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Surgeon General. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of many diseases and health conditions, including hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and depression.

Concerned about these statistics the students decided to take action. First, they conducted research into the Body Mass Index of students at their school and found that about 12% of the students were obese and nearly two-thirds of the faculty and staff were as well. They also found that awareness of healthy eating habits and exercise recommendations were low.

Realizing that they were taking on an issue that even national experts have been unable to reverse or solve, the students decided to start with a few small steps in the right direction. They came up with an idea for a 'Challenge Walk' that would encourage everyone to take 10,000 steps, the recommended daily amount for good fitness for most Americans. Using algebra and geometry, they also figured out the number of miles different age groups of children would need to walk in order to take the 10,000 steps while accommodating their different sizes.

To increase awareness levels, the students have planned a full community education program about the 'Challenge Walk' and healthy eating, and hope to encourage other communities in New Jersey and nationwide to join in. The education program includes a website, DVDs for parents and children and brochures.

A panel of community leaders, scientists and experts in science education selected this idea as one of the top eight entries in the U.S. Over 1,200 students and coaches participated nationwide.

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 17-22, 2007, plus a $200 grant to further develop their project.

Each member of two Gold Medal winning teams will receive a $2,000 U.S. 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.®

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 11th year, and has attracted more than 15,000 students from diverse backgrounds all across the U.S. The program is sponsored by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation (www.columbusfdn.org) with support from the National Science Foundation, and is endorsed by the National Middle School Association. 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 from Pennsylvania who developed a video/motion sensor device to deter motorists from trying to illegally pass stopped school buses.

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 the Homeland Security Award, Christopher Columbus Awards, National Gallery for America's Young Inventors and the $10,000 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award.

For more information on the Christopher Columbus Awards, call 1-800-291-6020 or visit www.christophercolumbusawards.com.