Hudson Middle School science students distinguish themselves in national competition

• Hudson Middle School science students, from left, Tasha Clarck, Laura Cardell and Maddie Zamzow

Once again Hudson Middle School science students have taken up a challenge and have been rewarded for it. Pictured from left are Tasha Clarck, Laura Cardell and Maddie Zamzow. The three won the Seimens We Can Change the World Challenge at the state level and are in the running in the national competition. Photo by Meg Heaton

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The Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the College Board have named a team of Hudson Middle School finalists in the 2012 Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. Team Lady Raiders was named a finalist for its project on food waste and now has a chance to take home more than $50,000 in scholarships and prizes for their work.

Over 2,500 middle school students competed in this year’s challenge. Under the guidance of their teacher Christopher Deleon, Tasha Clarck, Laura Cardell and Maddie Zamzow were tasked with identifying an environmental issue in their community, and created a replicable green solution using web-based curriculum tools powered by Discovery Education.

The team was surprised to see how much food waste their school produced daily, all of which could be used for a better purpose. They decided that vermicomposting (worm composting) was a viable way to reduce the plant-based food waste the school produced. Their testing revealed that vermicomposting reduced a huge amount of plant-based food waste that schools and many other facilities produce. Their project was able to convert food scraps into soil to be used in the school garden. The solution has impacted waste in their school, and they hope that if other schools or facilities adopt this program, it will greatly reduce the food waste around the world.

As part of a rigorous three-part judging process, a panel of environmental advocates and science educators selected finalists based on the project’s ability to creatively present a viable solution to some of today’s greatest environmental challenges. The team will now be judged against 20 others in the hopes of taking home $10,000 in savings bonds, a trip with their winning teammates to Alaska and more. In addition, all state finalists also receive a green prize pack for each team member. National winners will be announced on May 30, 2012.

Tags: news, education, environment