Columbus Foundation Community Grant
We are challenging teams of three to four 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to use their imagination and creativity to make their communities better places to live.
We think you have what it takes to identify a problem, look into it, come up with an innovative solution, and test and refine that solution.
Two teams will win Gold Medal Awards. A third team will be awarded the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant to help bring the students’ idea to life in their community!
For more information and to enter, visit the Christopher Columbus Awards website.
Here is a partial list of past recipients.
The River Rangers Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach, SC Problem: Abandoned boats on rivers and the Intercoastal Waterway Solution: Community Awareness outreach to educate the community about the environmental problems created by abandoned boats, and creation of an alarm system to alert boaters of navigational hazards. The finalist teams were judged for the practicality of implementing […]
Ergo-PAD (Ergonomic Posture Alignment Device) Carmel Valley Middle School San Diego, CA Problem: Poor body posture when using computers. Solution: Ergo-PAD: A specialized seat cushion that uses sensory feedback to train people to develop healthy posture while sitting at a computer. The finalist teams were judged for the practicality of implementing their idea. The winning […]
Trash to Treasure Bexley City Schools Bexley, OH Problem: Depletion of fossil fuels. Solution: A Public Awareness campaign to educate the community about the benefits of using the methane gas produced at landfills as an alternative source of energy. The finalist teams were judged for the practicality of implementing their idea. The winning team received […]
Unrecognized Hazard: Used Oil Filters West Branch Middle School West Branch, IA Problem: Environmental hazards caused by used oil filters being disposed of in household trash and ultimately landfills. Solution: Public awareness campaign to educate the community about this environmental hazard. The finalist teams were judged for the practicality of implementing their idea. The winning […]
Fire Escape Island Trees Middle School Levittown, NY Problem: Delay in emergency response when there is a fire. Solution: A fire extinguisher that sets off an alarm when picked up and deployed to alert others in the home of the potential danger. The finalist teams were judged for the practicality of implementing their idea. The […]
Auto-MAT-ic Saddle Brook Middle School Saddle Brook, NJ Problem: More than 1.6 million senior citizens are treated in emergency rooms every year due to falls in their homes, many occurring in the middle of the night. Solution: Develop a secure floor mat that automatically turns a light on for a set period of time when […]
SSS: Sensors Saving Students A.M. Kulp Elementary School Hatfield, PA Problem: Danger of getting off a school bus and crossing the street because vehicles illegally pass stopped school buses. Solution: School bus that will alert students that a car is passing the bus – this equipment would also take a picture of the car license […]
Milfoil Master Minocqua-Hazelhurst & Lake Tomahawk Elementary Minocqua, WI Problem: Eurasian Water Milfoil had invaded Wisconsin’s lakes, quickly clogging them and threatening other plant and marine life, and potentially, area tourism. Solution: Release the Milfoil’s natural predator, a water weevil, into lakes to consume the plant and then educate area boaters and residents about ways […]
Rez Protectors Pretty Eagle Catholic School Mt. Xavier, MT Problem: Housing shortage on their Crow Indian Reservation. Solution: Efficient and economical way to use straw in building durable, well-insulated, and moisture resistant houses. Teams were judged for the practicality of implementing their ideas. The winning team received the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant to take […]
