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Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge Announces 2011 Grand Prize Winning Teams

-- Iowa, Hawaii, Maryland, and North Carolina Students Take Top Honor as Winners of Nation's Premier Sustainability Challenge --

ISELIN, N.J., May 18, 2011 — (PRNewswire) — The Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), and the College Board today announced the grand prize winners of the third annual Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. Adding a high school division this year, the national Challenge aims to empower young people to create solutions to today's environmental problems.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110518/PH04127 )

Nearly 18,000 elementary, middle school and high school students competed in this year's Challenge. This year's projects addressed a wide variety of topics, ranging from recycling old trophies to stopping radon gas from entering homes to harvesting usable energy using a microturbine.

"The Siemens Foundation and its partners are proud to honor the winning students and their mentors for their impressive efforts to take on some of the world's biggest environmental and energy challenges," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, President of the Siemens Foundation. "This year's record participation levels underscore just how dedicated the younger generation is to solving some of our most pressing sustainability issues."

Under the mentorship of their teacher, the elementary teams identified an environmental issue in their classroom or school, while middle school students worked in teams of 2-4 students, also under the guidance of a mentor, to identify an environmental issue in their community. High school students were specifically challenged with identifying an energy-related issue that has local, national and global implications, and creating a sustainable solution that can be replicated around the globe. All levels researched their issue using scientific investigation and created a replicable green solution using web-based curriculum tools powered by Discovery Education.

High School Winners

Grand Prize Winners: Team "T.E.A.M.S." from West Branch, IA


Second Place Winners: Team "Clean Plate, Clean Energy" from West Lafayette, IN


Third Place Winners: Team "EC^2" from Nashville, TN


Middle School Winners

Grand Prize Winners: Team "6,000 n 60" from Kapaau, HI


Second Place Winners: Team "Alpha Eliminators" from Iowa City, IA


Third Place Winners: Team "Phantom Slayers" from Acton, MA


Elementary School Winners Grades 3-5

Grand Prize Winners: Team "Passe/Herring" from Charlotte, NC


Second Place Winners: Team "Bullis Bears" from Los Altos, CA


Third Place Winners: Team "The Green Team" from North Las Vegas, NV


Elementary School Winners Grades K-2

Grand Prize Winners: Team "Concord Hill Greenies" from Chevy Chase, MD


Second Place Winners: Team "From Plastic to Fantastic" from Cumming, GA


Third Place Winners: Team "Water Rescuers" from Lakeland, FL


The high school grand prize-winning team will receive an equal share of a $50,000 scholarship and a chance to present their project at the United Nations. Each member of the middle school grand prize-winning team will receive a $10,000 Savings Bond, a Discovery Adventures trip to Costa Rica and a pocket video camera to capture their trip. Elementary school winners earn a $5,000 grant, a Discovery Education assembly, in addition to a Siemens We Can Change the World prize pack. For additional prizing details, visit:


For more information on the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, go to www.wecanchange.com.  

About Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge

The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge ( www.wecanchange.com) is a premier national sustainability challenge that empowers students in grades K-12 to develop and share environmental solutions that can help change the world. The Challenge is a collaborative effort of the Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, the College Board and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to educate, empower and engage elementary, middle and high school students and teachers to become "Agents of Change" in improving their schools, communities and world. To date, more than 17,500 students have participated, creatively engaging their communities to find solutions to a local environmental issue or global energy challenge. All participants research their issue using scientific investigation and create a replicable green solution using web-based curriculum tools powered by Discovery Education. For more information, visit www.wecanchange.com.

About the Siemens Foundation

The Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Its signature programs include the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, and The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, which encourages K-12 students to develop innovative green solutions for environmental issues. In February 2010 the Siemens Foundation launched its newest initiative, The Siemens STEM Academy, a national STEM education program for teachers designed to support educators in their efforts to foster student achievement in these fields. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow's scientists and engineers. The Foundation's mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens' U.S. companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For further information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Communications (DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) revolutionized television with Discovery Channel and is now transforming classrooms through Discovery Education.  Powered by the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Discovery Education combines scientifically proven, standards-based digital media and a dynamic user community in order to empower teachers to improve student achievement.  Already, more than half of all U.S. schools access Discovery Education digital services.  Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

SOURCE Discovery Communications

Contact:
Discovery Communications
The Siemens Foundation
National Science Teachers Association
College Board
Discovery Education
Lauren Espin for Siemens Foundation
Phone: +1-732-590-2182
Email Contact Christina Scripps for Discovery Communications
Phone: +1-240-662-6502
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