Photos by Gib Snyder

The Climate Education Initiative (CEI) is pleased to announce this year’s winners of its science contest for middle school students in Dunkirk and Fredonia. This year’s challenge, with the slogan “Save electricity–help the earth,” asked students to make a list of things they could do or avoid doing to save electricity, and also to identify the most effective item on their list. Students had to explain why that action saves the most electricity, using the kinds of evidence they have learned about in class.

The winners in Dunkirk (top photo), seventh grade students of Tina Novelli, are first place Gabriel Bistrisky and second place Nevaeh Rose Plaza. Gabriel is the son of Kelly and Fred Bistrisky; Nevaeh is the daughter of Veronica Torres and Michael Plaza. In Fredonia, with lead science teacher Amy Lauer, are first place Mackenna Incite and second place Jay Hawk, both seventh graders. Mackenna is the daughter of Brooke and Michael Cerrie and Eric Incite, and Jay is the son of Shannon and Paul Hawk. First place winners received a cash prize of $50 from CEI and a handsome tote bag from the Greystone Nature Preserve. Second place winners received $20 and also a Greystone bag.

Judges of the entries were famed environmental scientist Dr. Sherri Mason of SUNY Fredonia and noted naturalist Dr. Terence Mosher. Diane Clark represented Greystone. CEI is sponsored by SUNY Fredonia and the League of Women Voters.