The Laurel Hill School Students Named as One of Eight Finalist Teams in National Science/Community Service Competition Win Trip to Walt Disney World®

Students Develop Adaptive Equipment to Expand Use of
Computers and the Internet Among the Elderly

AUBURN, N.Y.—May 9, 2008—Bright ideas, solid research and teamwork won four students from The Laurel Hill School, East Setauket, New York, 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-grader Laurence Caradonna, seventh-graders S. Aleksander Caradonna, Marena Elle Minelli and Sarah Parente, and their coach, William Schmidt, 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.

With computers and the Internet playing a central role in their daily lives, the students wondered why the senior citizens with whom they interact—grandparents, other relatives and friends they have made through volunteer work—don’t make use of these vital technologies. They learned from the American Medical Association that 75 percent of people over the age of 60 are afraid of or have no interest in using computers. Considering the fact that the same study suggests that seniors who use computers are more independent, feel more connected to society and tend to suffer less depression than those who do not, the student team determined that efforts must be made to expand the use of computers and the Internet among the elderly.

The students worked with the County Office for the Aging, State Veterans' Home and several Atria Assisted Living Residences to reach out to senior citizens in their area. First, they surveyed seniors about their current computer use and the specific challenges they have encountered in using computers and the Internet. Next, they trained seniors to use the IN2L ("It's Never Too Late") computer system, a $60,000 adaptive computer system that addresses the needs of senior computer users. It was a hit. The student team then developed its own adaptive computer system. While based on the IN2L, the $5,000 the student model is far more affordable, with few sacrifices.

"We realized that there were many benefits for senior citizens to be introduced to computers," the team members remarked. "Seniors could use computers for entertainment, communication, education, hobbies, business and to learn new skills. They could decrease their depression, feel more connected to others, increase their self-esteem and improve their short-term memory."

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. More than 600 students and coaches participated nationwide.

Team Wins a Trip to Walt Disney World®

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 16-20, 2008, 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.®

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 12th year, and has attracted more than 15,500 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 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 the four new Life Sciences Awards, $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.

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