A STEAM competition invites middle and high school students to join the effort to tackle nitrogen pollution

The Long Island Water Quality Challenge promotes project-based learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) in Long Island schools and helps students in grades 6-12 develop a greater understanding of how their classroom curriculum can be applied to protecting Long Island’s crucial water resources – with a specific focus on reducing or eliminating nitrogen pollution. This competition also connects students, teachers and their communities to the overall LINAP initiative. The challenge is perfect for students working collaboratively in-person or remotely, enabling anyone to participate despite the pandemic.

Schools will choose one of two categories to examine. The first is “Low-Input Landscaping on School Grounds,” in which students will identify ways to reduce the use of fertilizers, pesticides and overwatering by choosing different landscape designs and plant varieties. The second is “Stormwater Treatment on School Grounds,” in which students will design projects to collect and/or treat runoff on their school grounds to help reduce pollutants.

A panel of experts will evaluate the teams on originality, innovation, quality of ideas, visual design, technical merit, digital and oral presentation, and team collaboration. There will be an awards ceremony for the top projects and teams. Any state accredited educational institution in Nassau and Suffolk counties serving students in grades 6-12 is eligible.

To receive more information about the Long Island Water Quality Challenge and to submit a Letter of Interest visit lirpc.org, email [email protected] or call 516-571-7613. Letters of Interest are due by February 1, 2021.

To sign up for the LINAP Newsletter, visit the LINAP webpage or click here.