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Industrial Wastewater Nutrient Filter team from Lawton Chiles Middle Academy, was one of six finalist teams chosen to compete in the Christopher Columbus Awards National Championship Week. This year, the competition was held June 10 through June 15 at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
The community-based science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program challenges students to work in teams, alongside an adult coach, to identify a problem in their community and apply the scientific method to create an innovative solution to that problem.
Divya Ravinder, Yasmine Elmasri, Axita Patel and their coach Lawton Chiles Middle Academy Teacher Debbie Viertel were one of six finalist teams competing for Gold Medals and U.S. Savings Bonds.
Industrial Wastewater Nutrient Filter team members were inspired when they read an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report regarding the impact of high organic nutrient pollution (high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous) in bodies of water in the U.S. These organic nutrients aid algae overgrowth, which could lead to an eco-imbalance.
After testing several combinations of filters and aeration methods, the team developed an economical and indigenous filtration process to reduce the organic content in industrial waste water.
For more information please visit the following website: http://www.christophercolumbusawards.com/
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