Illinois EPA Presents Environmental Excellence Awards to Four Illinois Students at the Illinois Junior Academy of Science State Exposition

SPRINGFIELD — Earlier this month, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) staff judged and selected four students to receive Environmental Excellence Awards at the Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) State Science Exposition. The competition was hosted by the IJAS and was held at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign on May 3.

Nearly 900 Illinois student projects were selected to advance to this year's state science fair. Criteria for the Environmental Excellence Award include addressing the prevention of pollution, the remediation of air, land, or water, analyzing the effect of pollution on our environment, or innovative ways to prevent or address contamination in the environment. Four winners were chosen to receive an Environmental Excellence Award, which consisted of a medal, certificate, and a science kit to further their research.

The IJAS provides students with insight into the problems and methods of thinking that are particular to scientists, but applicable to other occupations. The curriculum includes information concerning new investigations and discoveries in science and an understanding of the science-produced equipment used.  The winners were:

Emily Edwards, Grade 10, Carbondale Community High School, Carbondale (Jackson County)

Project Category: Environmental Science

Project Title: Which Type of Plant Functions Best on an Extensive Green Roof

Purpose:  To study how the type of plant affects the weight, indoor temperature, and overall visual health of a green roof to find the best fit for a midwestern climate for residential use.

Akshitha Sushil, Grade 10, Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire (Lake County)

Project Category: Environmental Science

Project Title: The Usage of Metal Organic Framework to Harvest Water with Factors of Passive Radiative Cooling and Relative Humidity

Purpose: To design a method for stabilizing drinking water, developing innovative solutions to sustain water, while ensuring environmental protection and affordability.

Divya Venkatesh, Grade 8, Aptakisic Junior High School, Buffalo Grove (Lake County)

Project Category: Environmental Science

Project Title: Analyzing Different Bioplastics' Elasticity after the Condition of Being in Freshwater

Purpose: Plastic pollution increases everyday and the traditional plastic doesn't dissolve in the soil or water causing chemicals to leach into the environment. Finding the type of bioplastic in its best version of durability that has the least amount of elasticity.

Thomas Christie, Grade 7, Blessed Sacrament School, Springfield (Sangamon County)

Project Category: Environmental Science

Project Title: Planting in Plastic

Purpose: To confirm the presence of microplastics in Illinois farm soil and find the best way to extract microplastics from the soil.