The Christopher Columbus Awards are sponsored by The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, an independent Federal government agency established to “encourage and support research, study and labor designed to produce new discoveries in all fields of endeavor for the benefit of mankind.â€
The three young Mirman students were recognized for their innovative experimentation in the area of designing alternatives for solar collection. The team adapted an architectural software program to produce a computer simulation testing numerous three-dimensional shaped solar collectors versus the commonly used flat panel then built working prototypes of the two best performing collectors to collect real-world data.
As finalists, they will receive an all-expense paid trip to Walt Disney World where they will participate in the Christopher Columbus Academy, an interactive behind-the-scenes look at the science and technology at Walt Disney World and compete in the Christopher Columbus Awards’ National Championship for one of two Gold Medal honors or for the Columbus Foundation Community Grant, a $25,000 award to help bring their idea to life in their community.
In June 2010, the same team of three boys, led by Team Advisor Deborah Beckmann, was named National 6th Grade Winners by eCYBERMISSION, a web-based STEM competition sponsored by the U.S. Army at the National Judging and Education Event, held in Baltimore.
In October, they were invited to participate in the first White House Science Fair where they presented their research findings to President Barack Obama.
