Students Devise Plan for Hazardous Waste Recycling Center and
Public Education Surrounding Disposal of Used Oil Filters

AUBURN, NY—April 27, 2007—Bright ideas, solid research and teamwork won four students from West Branch Middle School in West Branch, IA, 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. Sixth-graders Cody Brandt, Garett Lynch, Konnor Myrvik and Conor Paulsen, and their coach, science teacher Hector Ibarra, Ph.D., 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.

Every year, more than 6.6 million used oil filters are disposed of in landfills in Iowa, leaching over 400,000 gallons of oil into the land, and eventually nearby streams, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The spent oil contains hazardous materials such as arsenic, benzene, cadmium, chromium and halogens.

The students found that current law in Iowa prohibits used oil from being disposed of in landfills, but allows used oil filters. They surveyed area students and residents and found low awareness of the extent of the problem or its dangers, and interviewed public officials and area service stations to develop a way to reduce the environmental impact of the filters.

If they win the grant, they plan to establish a hazardous waste recycling center at a local landfill, and to develop a public outreach program to educate area residents about proper disposal. They also hope to meet with legislators to change current laws.

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. d othn

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.