EPA Recognizes Innovation at Science Competition

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the winners of this year’s EPA’s Patrick H. Hurd Sustainability award for demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability and stewardship.

Jacquel Caron Rivers and Arne Joi Saguni Nipales, both seniors at Baboquivari High School, Sells, Ariz., were named the recipients of the award. Jacquel and Arne’s “Total Solar Strategy for the Tohono O'Odham Nation” is an energy and cost-efficient project that uses solar oven technology for storing energy and heating the traditional adobe constructed homes on the reservation. Jacquel and Arne were picked out of 1,611 student scientists and engineers competing in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair this week in Phoenix, Ariz.

“The student finalists of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair are finding innovative approaches to the world’s complex problems,” said Lek Kadeli, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “EPA is proud to recognize a project that is addressing environmental challenges in a more sustainable way.”

The EPA Patrick H. Hurd award funds the winning students and a chaperone to participate in and display the students’ project at EPA's National Sustainable Design Expo featuring the P3: People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) Student Design Competition for Sustainability in 2014. Held each spring in Washington, D.C., the National Sustainable Design Expo brings together the P3 students, nonprofit organizations, government agencies and businesses that are working to create a sustainable future.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) is the world’s largest pre-college science competition, hosting more than 1,500 high school students from over 70 countries, regions and territories. Students advance to it from several levels of local and school-sponsored, regional and state fairs showcasing their independent research. The Society for Science & the Public, a non-profit organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education, founded and runs the fair.

Source: EPA