COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

PRINS. MEMO NO. 34

November 18, 2008

ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE/SECONDARY

The Christopher Columbus Awards, a program which challenges middle school students to solve real-world problems in their communities, announces the program's Call for Entries for the 2008-2009 school year.  Teams of up to four middle school students and a coach identify a community issue and use the scientific process to create an innovative solution to the problem.  Finalist teams win an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World where they compete for gold medals and U.S. Savings Bonds. 

The Christopher Columbus Awards is free to enter. Program details and application information can be found at www.christophercolumbusawards.com.  The deadline for receipt of entries is Monday, February 9, 2009.  For more information, contact Paula Klonowski, science coordinator, Office of Middle and High School Instruction, by e-mail at Paula.Klonowski@doe.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 371-0249.

LMW/PK/yba