vvEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Communications, Education And Public Affairs (1707) EPA-171-F-94-003 The President's Environmental Youth Awards 1993 National Winners ------- The President's Environmental Youth Awards Young people in all fifty states are invited to participate in the President's Environmental Youth Awards Program, which offers them, individually and collectively, an opportunity to become an environmental force within their community. The President's Environmental Youth Awards Program encourages individuals, school classes, schools, summer camps, public interest groups, and youth organizations to promote local, positive community involvement. "Environmental Protection begins with environmental education. Only by learning how we relate to our environment can we contribute to making and keeping the world around us a safer, cleaner place to live." Carol M. Browner Administrator ------- 1993 Project Examples While on vacation from Harrington, Rhode Island, fifth-grader Kate McCalmont saw turtles hatching on the beach. Kate observed that many of the baby turtles did not survive. That sparked her interest in the study of turtles. Back home, Kate found the endangered Dia- mondback Terrapin existing in Harrington's Hundred Acre Cove. She launched an extensive campaign to protect the endangered terrapin. Kate persuaded the Town Council to name the terrapin Harrington's official town animal. Nineteen students at Hopatcong, New Jersey Middle School observed how the brook trout is highly sensitive to changes in its natural habitat and is, therefore, a good indicator of environ- mental quality. New Jersey has designated the brook trout a threatened species. The students formed the Brook Trout Bunch and began ac- tivities to educate the public about the brook trout's habitat and sensitivity to pollution. Gov- ernor James Florio visited their school to sign the bill designating the Brook Trout as New Jersey's State Fish. Twelve students at Franklin County Middle School, Gainesville, Georgia formed the SWaMP (Solid Waste Management Plan) Kids group to tackle the problem of solid waste in their community. They researched the Georgia Solid Waste Management Act of 1991 and wrote and published a Solid Waste Management Plan for Franklin County, Georgia. They assisted the county and five cities in getting organized to support the plan. The SWaMP Kids believed their were errors in the county's solid waste cost report and contacted their legislators. Franklin County is amend- ing its report. They produced a video tape now being used to educate the public about the problem of solid waste and possible solutions to the problem. Nineteen students of Tillicum Middle School, Bellevue, Washington formed Waste Busters to implement and maintain the school's waste reduc- tion and recycling programs. They also designed and built a prototype wash- able aluminum pizza box and a plastic pizza box. The pizza company that de- livers pizzas to the school has ordered the plastic boxes. The students are waiting to see if the use of plastic pizza boxes will spread to other restaurants. How The Program Works The program has two components: the regional certificate program and the national awards competition. Regional certificates are awarded by the Regional Offices of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The national award winners are selected by the Regional Offices and their recognition program is administered by EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Regional Certificate Program The sponsor must complete the attached application and mail it to the appropriate EPA Regional Office (see listing on back of brochure). The regional certificate program is conducted year-round; therefore, applications for the regional program can be submitted at any time. If a project is completed in the regional component of the program, all participants will receive certificates signed by the President of the United States, honoring them for their efforts in environmental protection. National Awards Competition If a project produced especially significant results, sponsors are encouraged to enter the national awards competition by marking the appropriate box on the application. One outstanding project from each of the ten EPA Regions is selected for national honors. National individual project winners, or one n presentative from a national award-winning group project, along with one project sponsor, \\ ill receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, IXC. They will participate in the annual National Awards Ceremony, and consult with the EPA Y)uth Work Group about the President's Environmental Youth Awards Program and other environmental education initiatives for young people. The President's Environmental Youth Awards program was expanded in 1991 to include corporate sponsorship and grants. The Keebler Company presented SI,000 grants to each winner. Church & Dwight Company, Inc., makers of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, hosted a luncheon, p esented a $1,000 grant to each winner, and also p vsented a smaller grant to the first, second, and tl ird runner-up in each region. A p p I i c at i o n P roced u res Although creativity is encouraged, applications nuist conform to the following guidelines: « The sponsor(s) MUST sign and date the application. 5 o UJ ------- The application must sumrn iri/e the project in no less than three and no mo x1 than five 8-1/2 by 11 inch pages, not including supporting materials. These supporting materials may include mounted photographs, news clippings, and other supplemental items such as full texts of scientific papers. Typed (double spaced) applications are encouraged. Applicants should type or write only on one side of each sheet. Applicants are strongly urgi d to follow the specific criteria that the Regional judging Panel will use to evaluate applicatic Criteria.) Because judges cann students are encouraged to in* newspaper articles, and other materials with their applicatic* the judging panel to gain am view of a project. On a separate sheet of pape 3-5 page application, list the ^ applicable), names of individt of all project participants and the project name if it has one home and work telephone nu must appear on this sheet How To Apply Eligibility To be eligible, a young person, or group of young persons, must have completed an environmental projecl while in grades kindergarten through 12, and the project must be sponsored by at least one iduil representative of their school, camp, youth group, or public interest group. ns. (See Judging .it visit projects, lude photographs, supporting ns. This will help ire comprehensive , attached to the ,roup name (if .aIs and addresses sponsors. Also list The sponsor's nbers and signature Application Deadline To participate in the annual national awards competition, projects must be completed by July 31 of the award year; applications must be mailed to the appropriate Regional Office; and applications must be postmarked by July 31 or earlier of the same award year. Do not mail the application to EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Judging Criteria Each Regional Awards Panel will judge projects on: The environmental need for the project. The environmental appropriateness of the project. Accomplishment of goals. The long-term environmental benefits derived from the project. Positive environmental impact on the local community and society. The extent to which the project was designed, coordinated, and implemented due to the young person's or persons' initiative. The positive ways in which other groups or individuals were involved to provide funds, resources, or publicity. Innovation. Soundness of approach, rationale, and scientific design (if applicable). Clarity and effectiveness of presentation. Role of Sponsor The adult sponsor plays an important role in helping a young person or group of young people carry out their projects and apply for awards. Sponsors should offer suggestions and advice on: Developing a sound approach to the project. Project implementation. Working with other groups and individuals in the community. Completing the application form(s) and preparing accompanying materials. The sponsor must be an adult and can be a teacher, youth group advisor, summer camp counselor, or community leader. Young people must work closely with the sponsor(s) throughout the project and application procedures. Questions not answered by this brochure can be directed to your state's EPA regional office. ------- United States Environmental Protection Agency President's Environmental Youth Awards Application Individual, School, Camp, or Youth Group. (Circieone) Sponsor This is a voluntary program. Applications should be completed only by those who wish to participate. Name Street City State Zip Name Street f-ity Stat° Zip Project Award To Be Considered For: REGIONAL NATIONAL AWARD (Check One or Both). Describe Project and results achieved. Number of Certificates Required Project Dates Beginning _ Ending _ Presentation Date or Last Day of Term - Name organizations which helped on project and describe how they helped. Did Project Recieve Press Coverage? Yes No If "Yes" attach Press Clippings On a separate sheet of paper, please list the name(s), addresses, ages and grades of individuals qualifying for awards. Print or type the name(s) Signatures Application must be signed by adult sponsors. OMB 2090-0007 - Expiration Date: December 31, 1995 ------- EPA Regional Offices EPA Region 1 JFK Federal Building Boston, MA 02203 (617) 565-9447 Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont EPA Region 2 26 Federal Plaza New York, NY 10278 (212) 264-2980 New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands EPA Region 3 841 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 597-9076 Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, District of Columbia EPA Region 4 345 Courtland Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30365 (404) 347-4727 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee EPA Region 5 77 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago, IL 60604 (312) 353-3209 Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin EPA Region 6 1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75202-2733 (214) 655-2200 Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas EPA Region 7 726 Minnesota Avenue Kansas City, KS 66101 (913) 551-7003 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska EPA Region 8 One Denver Place 999 18th Street Denver, CO 80202-2405 (303)293-1113 Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming EPA Region 9 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 744-1581 Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam, Trust Territories of the Pacific EPA Region 10 1200 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 553-1207 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington ------- |