Students Called to Share Community Climate Resilience Solutions in Inaugural Battelle Climate Challenge

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Battelle is focused on innovations in climate resilience. In order to take bold leaps and action to address changes in our climate, a wide variety of ideas are necessary. With that in mind, the inaugural Battelle Climate Challenge is now asking United States high school students to share their ideas for mitigating the effects of human-made climate change. The challenge winner will present at Battelle’s second annual Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference (March 28-30 in Columbus, Ohio) and win $5,000 in STEM grant for their nonprofit school, library or educational organization. For 2nd to 4th place, nonprofit schools, libraries, or educational organizations will receive a $1,500 STEM grant.

For the challenge, students will research past and future impacts of climate-related hazards in their communities. For example, these impacts might include drought, wildfire, flooding, and extreme heat. Then, they will develop a proposed action to help build a more resilient community.

Each entry must include a written explanation of the student’s proposed climate action (200 words max) and an image (max 3GB) of a “poster” that supports this climate action. The poster can be a digital design or a photo of a hand-made poster. The climate action should explain at least one way the student’s own community can prevent, withstand, respond to, or recover from a climate-related event.

Entries for the Battelle Climate Challenge will be accepted now through January 13, 2023. Students can submit at https://www.futureengineers.org/BattelleClimateChallenge. The competition platform is created and maintained by Future Engineers for Battelle.

“We seek to help students build the same critical thinking skills that Battelle scientists rely on every day,” said Wes Hall, Vice-President of Philanthropy and Education at Battelle. “This challenge bridges Battelle’s climate expertise with our commitment to expanding quality STEM educational opportunities for all students.”

Participation in the contest is free. Any student attending a public, private, or home school in the United States, including U.S. territories or possessions and schools operated by the U.S. for the children of U.S. personnel overseas, may participate.

The Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference is organized and presented by Battelle in collaboration with its U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory partners and will feature keynote addresses, platform talks, panel discussions, breakout meetings and poster sessions.

The challenge supports both Battelle’s commitment to expanding quality STEM educational opportunities for all students and the company’s focus on developing solutions to climate change.

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit battelle.org.

About Future Engineers

Future Engineers hosts online contests and challenges for K-12 students. Previous challenges have helped produce historic achievements – from naming NASA’s Perseverance rover to manufacturing the first student-designed 3D print in space. All challenges are offered free for student and classroom participation. For more information, visit futureengineers.org. Follow Future Engineers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.