Siemens Sustainability Competition

Because eco-awareness is stressed so much in Oregon, and especially in the Portland metro area, I wanted to take a moment to draw your attention to the Siemens Sustainability Challenge. Each year, the Siemens Foundation in cooperation with Discovery Education and the National Science Teachers Association encourages students to "think sustainably" by challenging them to identify an environmental problem in their community and research a solution to the issue. Students pair with a teacher or another adult to carry out the research. This contest looks like a fantastic way to get scientifically-minded students involved in their local communities. the prizes are generous - $10,000, $7,500, and $5,000 savings bonds, among others! The contest is currently for grades K-8; a challenge for students in high school will begin in 2010.