WEF Announces State Winners Of U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Student Scientists To Compete At National Competition In June

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) proudly announces the 2012 state winners of the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) — the most prestigious youth award for a water-related science project (see complete list below). WEF Member Associations selected and will sponsor state winners and their science teachers to attend the national competition, hosted by the New England Water Environment Association, June 14-16, 2012 at the Hilton Logan Airport Hotel in Boston.

The purpose of the SJWP program is to increase students’ interest in water-related issues and research and to raise awareness about global water challenges. The competition is open to projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life through improvement of water quality, water resources management, water protection, and water and wastewater treatment.

“WEF congratulates each of these talented students and wishes them luck at the national competition next month,” said WEF President Matt Bond. “We also want to thank our Member Associations for their tremendous support, which makes SJWP so successful.”

The U.S. winner will receive $3,000 (USD) and an all-expense-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden for the international competition, as well as the opportunity to present his or her research to water quality experts at WEFTEC 2012 — WEF’s 85th annual technical exhibition and conference — this fall in New Orleans. Up to three finalists will receive $1,000 each.

In addition, the Bjorn von Euler Innovation in Water Scholarship Award, sponsored by Xylem Inc., will grant a $1,000 scholarship to the SJWP state winner who demonstrates a passion for education, spirit of creativity, and innovation.

In the United States, WEF and its Member Associations organize the national, state, and regional SJWP competitions with support from Xylem Inc. (also the international sponsor).  Participation from the Virgin Islands is organized and sponsored by the Virgin Island Water and Power Authority.

The national winner will represent the United States at the international competition in Stockholm, Sweden during World Water Week, August 26-31, 2012. The international winner will receive $5,000 (USD) presented during a royal ceremony by the prize’s Patron HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. 

United States 2012 Stockholm Junior Water Prize State Winners

Alabama
Jeremiah Penrod
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Homemade Water Filters and Commercial Brita Filter Oakwood Adventist Academy Teacher – Nanette Hiller Sponsored by the Alabama Water Environment Association

Alaska
Kevin Sigler
How Restoration Affects the Abundance of Juvenile Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in an Urban Stream near Juneau, Alaska NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center Science Teacher – Bonita Nelson Sponsored by the Alaska Water Wastewater Management Association

Arizona
Isabella Gonzalez
The Effect of Anthropogenic Plastic Pollution on Marine Organisms:
Copepod Acartia Tonsa and Polyethylene Microspheres Tucson High Magnet Science Teacher – Margaret Wilch Sponsored by the AZ Water

Arkansas
Sarthak Garg
Adverse Effects of Malathion on Brine Shrimp Little Rock Central High School Science Teacher – Patrick Foley Sponsored by the Arkansas Water Environment Association

California
Natalie Ng
Rapid Pathogen Detection in Drinking and Irrigation Water Using Conductometric Biosensor Technology Monta Vista High School Science Teacher – Elizabeth McCracken Sponsored by the California Water Environment Association

Colorado
Kelli Lynch
Irradiation Extermination Part 3: A portable system to eliminate waterborne microorganisms Rocky Mountain High School Science Teacher – Mike Viney Sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association

Connecticut
Nick Dorien
Remediation of Heavy Metals from River Water via a Novel Lemna Minor Activated On-Line Filtration System Greenwich High School Science Teacher – Andrew Bramante Sponsored by the New England Water Environment Association

Florida
Gabriela Canas
The Effects of Carbonic Anhydrase Activator L-carnosine in the Clade-D Symbiodinium microdricum Bishop Kenny High School Science Teacher – Vicky Schmidt Sponsored by the Florida Water Environment Association

Georgia
Sydney-Alyce Bourget
The Chronic Toxicity of Acetaminophen on Daphnia Magna Elite Scholars Academy Science Teacher – Linda Funkhouser Sponsored by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals

Hawaii
Chris Negillo
Testing the Uptake of Hexavalent Chromium by Phytoremediation of Lemna Minor at Varying Concentrations Waipahu High School Science Teacher – Michael Sana Sponsored by the Hawaii Water Environment Association

Illinois
Rachel Traisman
The Effect of Remediation of Oil by Bacteria, Dispersant, or Both, On the Hatch Rate of Brine Shrimp Eggs Niles West High School Science Teacher – Ruth Gleicher Sponsored by the Illinois Water Environment Association

Indiana
Eric Fein
Characterizing Engineered TiO2 Nanoparticle Adhesion: Implications for Environmental Transport and Remediation John Adams High School Science Teacher – Nevin Longenecker Sponsored by the Indiana Water Environment Association

Iowa
Kelsey Bryant
SODIS: Solar Disinfection of Mississippi River Water Central Lee High School Science Teacher – Alicia Schiller Sponsored by the Iowa Water Pollution Control Association

Kansas
Brett Wagner
A Comparative Study of Scenedesmus dimorphus and Spirogyra Algae Species’ Growth and Nitrate and Phosphate Removal in Municipal Wastewater Shawnee Mission South Science Teacher - Jan Alderson Sponsored by the Kansas Water Environment Association

Kentucky
Monica McFadden
Biobarrier Filtration of Water Contaminants Notre Dame Academy Science Teacher – Sr. Mary Ethel Parrott Sponsored by the Kentucky-Tennessee Water Environment Association

Louisiana
Kristen Little and Layne Hardy
The Relationship of Algae, Dispersants, and Individual Components of Nutrients on the Degradation of Medium Crude Oil in High and Low Salinity Water O. Comeaux High School Science Teacher – Lisa Ranney Sponsored by the Louisiana Water Environment Association

Maine
Will Benoit
Low cost water filtration using Nanofibrillated Cellulose Bangor High School Science Teacher - Cary James Sponsored by the New England Water Environment Association

Maryland
Adam Berger and Colin Hambright
Water Purification
Sherwood High School
Science Teacher – James Douglas
Sponsored by the Chesapeake Water Environment Association

Massachusetts
Julia Knowles
Flushed Away with Gray: Engineering the Gray Water Toilet Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI Science Teacher – William Ellis Sponsored by the New England Water Environment Association

Michigan
Andrea Pugh
Invasive To Innovative: Phragmities Biochar Production Analysis of its Ability to Immobilize Contaminants in Aqueous Solutions and Provide Nutrients in Soil Saginaw High School Science Teacher – Craig Coopersmith Sponsored by the Michigan Water Environment Association

Minnesota
Rahul Mukherjee
Restoration of The Great Lakes: A Genetic Study on Zebra And Quagga Mussels To Unfold The Mystery of Calcium (Ca2+) Based Invasion And Its Survival John Marshall High School Science Teacher – Eric Stanslaski Sponsored by the Central States Water Environment Association

Mississippi
Taide Ding
Developing a Parametric Model for Hurricane Wind and Storm Surge Prediction in the Gulf of Mexico Oxford High School Science Teacher – James Reidy Sponsored by the Mississippi Water Environment Association

Missouri
Jenna Baber
A Study Determining the Effects of the Concentration of Silver in a Solution on the Inhibition Zone Produced for Bacillus licheniformis as Well as Identifying Possible Methodology Used for the Efficient Removal of Silver from a Solution West Platte High School Science Teacher – Janel Coulson Sponsored by the Missouri Water Environment Association

Montana
Emilee Williams and Caroline Blacketer
A Comparison of Nitrogen-Related Diatoms in the Upper Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers Sentinel High School Science Teacher – Brett Taylor Sponsored by the Montana Water Environment Association

Nebraska
Alisha Dunlap
Residual Atrazine Levels in Bottom Sediments of the Shell Creek and Its Effect on Amphibians Newman Grove High School Science Teacher – Karen Malmkar Sponsored by the Nebraska Water Environment Association

Nevada
Kirsten Perry
An Evaluation of Tannins and Their Metal Adsorption Properties for the Remediation of Wastewater Elko High School Teacher – Brian Zeiszler Sponsored by the Nevada Water Environment Association

New Hampshire
No Entries
Sponsored by the New England Water Environment Association

New Jersey
Mervy Michael
The Removal of Contaminants in Water Using Low Temperature Microplasma Union City High School / Academy for Enrichment and Advancement Science Teacher – Nadia Makar Sponsored by the New Jersey Water Environment Association

New Mexico
Serina Pack
“What Will Grow: Native Grass Research to Assist in Mining Reclamation and Addressing Contaminated Leachate Generation into Water Sources”
Cliff High School
Science Teacher – Katie Skaggs
Sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association

New York
Kunal Sangani
Modeling and Environmental Analysis of Hydraulic Fracturing in Upstate New York Fayetteville-Manlius High School Science Teacher – Brian Concannon Sponsored by the New York Water Environment Association

North Carolina
Avi Aggarwal
Effect of thiols on the environmental fate of silver nanoparticles North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Science Teacher – Myra Halpin Sponsored by the North Carolina Water Environment Association

North Dakota
Gage Metzen
Impact of Field Drainage Tile on River Water Quality Hankinson High School Science Teacher – Marcus Friskop Sponsored by the North Dakota Water Environment Association

Ohio
Rachel Yurchisin
The Rocky River Watershed: A Tale of Two Branches Padua Franciscan High School Science Teacher – Seth Jennrich Sponsored by the Ohio Water Environment Association

Oklahoma
Jenna Huling
Enhanced Adsorption of Arsenic on Aquifer Solids and Soil Phase II:
Oxidative Treatment and Feasibility Assessment Ada High School Science Teacher – Scott Huling Sponsored by the Oklahoma Water Environment Association

Oregon
Ajay Krishnan
Optimizing the Microbial Fuel Cell-Microbial Electrolysis Cell Coupled System for Sustainable Hydrogen Gas Production, Electricity Generation, and Improved Wastewater Treatment Oregon Episcopal School Science Teacher – Bevin Daglen Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association

Pennsylvania
Sarah Thompson
Marcellus Shale Drilling: The Effects of Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Components on the Physiology and Feeding Efficiency of the Aquatic Indicator Species Daphnia magna Hempfield High School Science Teacher – Neal Kuhn Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association

Puerto Rico
Maria del Mar Fletcher
Limnological Study of Mavilla, Dos Bocas and Cibuco Rivers Trough Presence of Bacteria & Micro-Invertebrates Colegio Marista Science Teacher – Isabel Perez Sponsored by the Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association

Rhode Island
Margaret Antonio
Implementing Hydropower in City Water Pipes Immaculate Conception Academy Science Teacher – Maria Knuth Sponsored by the New England Water Environment Association

South Carolina
Himabindu Vinnakota
The effects of both Sargassum and Aspergillus niger on the biosorption of lead (Pb) from water Spring Valley High School Science Teacher – Donna McGehee Sponsored by the Water Environment Association of South Carolina

South Dakota
Matthew Hummel
Navibot: Phase V O.R.C.A.
Florence High School
Science Teacher – Jim Chilson
Sponsored by the South Dakota Water Environment Association

Tennessee
Darby Schumacher
A Filter Today Keeps Pollutants Away
Baylor School
Science Teacher – Kathleen Schumacher
Sponsored by the Kentucky-Tennessee Water Environment Association

Texas
Sharjeel Syed
Duckweed's Salty: A Third Year Study of Duckweed and a Novel Approach to Desalination John Jay Science and Engineering Academy Science Teacher – Jay Sumpter Sponsored by the Water Environment Association of Texas

Utah
Andrew Ross and Jed Grow
The Passive Acquisition of a Viable Source of Bio-Electricity from the Electrical Reservoir Contained in Wastewater Clearfield High School Science Teacher – Bruce Staley Sponsored by the Water Environment Association of Utah

Vermont
Basundhara Mukherjee
The Effect of Different Flow Rates in a Sand Filter to Purify Water South Burlington High School Science Teacher - Curtis Belton Sponsored by the New England Water Environment Association

Virgin Islands
Willow Nelson
Marina Bacteria
The Good Hope School
Science Teacher – Jane Coles
Sponsored by the Virgin Island Water and Power Authority

Virginia
Catherine Mitchell and Andrea Green
Assessing Oil Spill Cleanup: The Ecological Ramifications of Chemical Treatments H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program Science Teacher – William Van Evera Sponsored by the Virginia Water Environment Association

Washington
Anjani Patel
Cleaning Up Various Oil Spills Using Bioremediation Cedarcrest High School Science Teacher – Bruce Murdock Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association

West Virginia
Michael Pracht
The Effect of Human Hair and Oil-Only Polypropylene Sorbent Material on Remediation of Fresh Water Surface Oil Spills Paw Paw High School Science Teacher – Carol Coryea Sponsored by the West Virginia Water Environment Association

Wisconsin
Filip Josifovski and Thomas Schneider
Nanoparticles in Potable and Aquatic Freshwater: Novel Study by Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Spectroscopy Nicolet High School Science Teacher – Gary Stresman Sponsored by the Central States Water Environment Association

Wyoming
Travis Sylvester
Saving the Big Horn National Lake for Aquatic Habitat, Power Generation, Recreation, and Flood Control Benefits Greybull High School Science Teacher - Joel Kuper Sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association

About WEF
Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF members, Member Associations and staff proudly work to achieve our mission to provide bold leadership, champion innovation, connect water professionals, and leverage knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide. For more information, visit www.wef.org.

SOURCE: Water Environment Federation (WEF) - WEFTEC