The Water Environment Federation (WEF) announced the 2010 state winners of the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)--a youth award for a water-related science project. WEF member associations selected and will sponsor state winners and their science teachers to attend the national competition, hosted by the Missouri Water Environment Assn., from June 17 to 20, 2010, at the Sheraton City Center in St. Louis.
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.
“Leadership is what separates communities that are successfully addressing water and sanitation needs from those that are not,” said WEF Executive Director Bill Bertera. “The Stockholm Junior Water Prize continues to be an excellent program for helping today’s youth become the global leaders we’ll need to protect our water resources for future generations.”
The U.S. winner will receive $3,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, for the international competition, as well as the opportunity to present their research to water quality experts at WEFTEC 2010--WEF’s 83rd annual technical exhibition and conference--this October in New Orleans. In addition, the U.S. winner’s school will receive $1,000 toward enhancing science education, and up to three finalists will receive $1,000 each.
In the United States, WEF and its member associations organize the national, state and regional SJWP competitions with support from ITT Corp. (also the international sponsor), The Coca-Cola Company and Delta Air Lines.
The national winner will represent the United States at the international competition in Stockholm, Sweden, during World Water Week, Sept. 5 to 11, 2010. The international winner will receive $5,000 presented during a royal ceremony.
Source: WEF
