ALEXANDRIA, Va. (May 16, 2012) – The Water Environment Federation (WEF) announces the 2012 state winners of the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)—the most prestigious youth award for a water-related science project (see complete list below). WEF Member Associations selected and will sponsor state winners and their science teachers to attend the national competition, hosted by the New England Water Environment Association, June 14-16, 2012 at the Hilton Logan Airport Hotel in Boston.
The purpose of the SJWP program is to increase students’ interest in water-related issues and research and to raise awareness about global water challenges. The competition is open to projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life through improvement of water quality, water resources management, water protection, and water and wastewater treatment.
“WEF congratulates each of these talented students and wishes them luck at the national competition next month,” said WEF President Matt Bond. “We also want to thank our Member Associations for their tremendous support, which makes SJWP so successful.”
The U.S. winner will receive $3,000 (USD) and an all-expense-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden for the international competition, as well as the opportunity to present his or her research to water quality experts at WEFTEC® 2012—WEF’s 85th annual technical exhibition and conference—this fall in New Orleans. Up to three finalists will receive $1,000 each.
In addition, the Bjorn von Euler Innovation in Water Scholarship Award, sponsored by Xylem Inc., will grant a $1,000 scholarship to the SJWP state winner who demonstrates a passion for education, spirit of creativity, and innovation.
In the United States, WEF and its Member Associations organize the national, state, and regional SJWP competitions with support from Xylem Inc. (also the international sponsor). Participation from the Virgin Islands is organized and sponsored by the Virgin Island Water and Power Authority.
The national winner will represent the United States at the international competition in Stockholm, Sweden during World Water Week, August 26-31, 2012. The international winner will receive $5,000 (USD) presented during a royal ceremony by the prize’s Patron HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. For more information about SJWP, visit www.wef.org
Founded in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF members, Member Associations and staff proudly work to achieve our mission to provide bold leadership, champion innovation, connect water professionals, and leverage knowledge to support clean and safe water worldwide.