Mar 27, 2008

Austin Evans, a junior at Ava High School, is one of 86 students from 31 states selected last week to participate in Earthwatch Institute this summer. The students were selected from a pool of more than 300 applicants to join this summer’s Student Challenge Awards Program. Students will participate in field research expeditions that range in discipline from astrophysics to paleobiology and span North America, the Caribbean and Iceland. The program aims to expand the potential of high school students and to stimulate their curiosity about science and technology. This summer, teams of 6 to 10 award winners will spend up to three weeks on one of 11 research projects. The research and other project activities developed by the principal investigators expose students to important scientific questions and methodologies. Students are engaged in exciting hands-on learning. Evans will join an Earthwatch Institute research project: "Mapping a Century of Change in the San Jacinto Mountains" at Santa Rosa-San Jacinto National Monument Idyllwild, Calif. Austin's team will conduct research under the direction of principal investigator Rusty Russell. The Student Challenge Awards Program has broad personal and educational benefits for the awardees. Impact on the students range from heightened self-confidence and interpersonal skills to enhanced scientific knowledge and interest in career paths that may have not been previously considered. Most importantly, the program demystifies science and reflects the role of creativity and imagination in research. Austin stated: "I am ecstatic about this opportunity because few young Americans have the opportunity to experience a future career interest prior to college. Environmental and biological science has been a long time passion for me, and this represents an opportunity to extend my knowledge in these areas. So much of the science that a high school student experiences is in a lab or a classroom but this time I will be in the field with professionals." The awards cover all travel and field costs. In order to apply for this program, students 16 and over must be nominated by a teacher. A strong background in science is not required. Austin was nominated by his science teacher, Jackie Carl. "I've been Austin's science teacher for three years now” Carl said. I am very proud he has this dynamic opportunity to work in a field that may become his future career." Early last November Austin's gifted teacher, Karen Davis, located the Student Challenge Awards Program on the internet. "We only had a week or so to get our nominations submitted before the deadline at the end of the month. Mrs. Carl knew immediately that she wanted Austin to enter," Davis said. For more information regarding this program and details about teacher fellowships and volunteer opportunities; please visit www.earthwatch.org or call 800-776-0188. Earthwatch Institute is a nonprofit organization founded in 1971. Earthwatch engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment.