Four Science Students Receive Environmental Excellence Awards from Illinois EPA

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois EPA presented Environmental Excellence Awards to four Illinois students at the State Science Exposition. The competition was hosted by the Junior Academy of Science at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale on Saturday, May 2.

The Environmental Excellence Award focuses on projects that promote and enhance the protection and care of the environment. Four projects were selected for recognition, two in each division: Junior (grades 7 and 8) and Senior (grades 9-12). The winners are:

SENIOR DIVISION:

Margaret Selinger, Niles North High School in Skokie
Project Title:  Bokashi Fermentation as a Power Source for Microbial Fuel Cells
Project Category:  Environmental Science

Ambria Benesch, Niles North High School in Skokie
Project Title:  The Viability of a Mixed Bacterial Culture for Freshwater Bioremediation of Heavy Metals, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, and Volatile Organic Compounds
Project Category:  Environmental Science

JUNIOR DIVISION:

Bhargav Chandaka, Gregory Middle School in Naperville
Project Title: Shocking Waste Projects
Project Category:  Environmental Science

Nadia Firozabadi, Lincoln Hall Middle School in Lincolnwood
Project Title:  Evaporating Fresh Water Using Solar Power Devices with Different Colored Energy Sources
Project Category:  Environmental Science

The Illinois Junior Academy of Science provides students with insight into the problems and methods of thinking that are particular to the scientist but applicable to other occupations. The curriculum includes information concerning new investigations and discoveries in science and an understanding of the science-produced equipment used.

Criteria for the Environmental Excellence Award include issues such as addressing the prevention of pollution, the remediation of air, land or water, or analyzing the effect of pollution on our environment. Illinois EPA representatives served as judges.

Students whose projects were recognized for the Environmental Excellence Award received a padfolio, a plaque and certificate.