WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 27, 2011 — Alison Bick from Short Hills, N.J. has been named the U.S. winner of the 2011 Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP)—the most prestigious international student competition for water-related research—during a ceremony this past weekend at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, Ill. Bick’s project was selected from 50 winners of state-level SJWP competitions across the country. The Water Environment Federation (WEF) administers the U.S. competition with support from ITT Corporation (NYSE: ITT) and other major corporations. ITT is also the international sponsor of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.
Bick’s work, the culmination of over four years of research, sought a low-cost, portable and publicly accessible method for testing water potability. Concerned by the threat of contaminated drinking water in her community, Bick developed several devices to test water accurately for inorganic materials and harmful bacteria.
“We are extremely proud of the innovative research conducted by Alison and all of the U.S. student participants,” said Angela Buonocore, senior vice president and chief communications officer, ITT. “The creativity and commitment of these students demonstrate the importance of programs like the annual Stockholm Junior Water Prize, to inspire the next generation of leaders who will address and help solve the growing global water crisis.”
Bick, who attends Milburn High School, received $3,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Stockholm, Sweden, where she will compete against national winners from more than 30 countries for the international honor during World Water Week, August 21–27, 2011. In addition, Milburn High School will receive a $1,000 grant toward enhancing water science education and Bick will present her research to thousands of water quality professionals at WEFTEC® 2011—the Water Environment Federation's 84th annual technical exhibition and conference—this October in Los Angeles, Calif.
Four U.S. finalists, Jenifer Brown, from Hillsborough, N.C., Collin McAliley, from Melbourne Beach, Fla., Leila Musavi, from Orono, Maine, and Nishith Reddy from Naperville, Ill., each received a $1,000 award.
In addition to being a finalist, Musavi was also the recipient of the Bjorn von Euler Innovation in Water Scholarship Award for her project focused on innovatively detecting a harmful pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes, in water. This $1,000 scholarship was established this year in honor of von Euler, who recently retired after a 24-year career with ITT, and recognizes projects that demonstrate a unique passion for education and spirit of creativity and innovation. Musavi also received a $500 bonus as the first recipient of the award. Most recently, von Euler was director of corporate philanthropy and leader of the company’s signature program, ITT Watermark, dedicated to providing access to safe water and sanitation across the world.
This year marks the 15th consecutive year that ITT has sponsored the international SJWP competition. For more information about SJWP and to download the winning abstracts, visit www.wef.org.
About ITT Corporation
ITT Corporation is a high-technology engineering and manufacturing company operating on all seven continents in three vital markets: water and fluids management, global defense and security, and motion and flow control. With a heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver extraordinary solutions that create more livable environments, provide protection and safety and connect our world. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company reported 2010 revenue of $11 billion. www.itt.com.
About WEF
Formed in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF and its Member Associations proudly work to achieve our mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment. www.wef.org
About the SJWP
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) is the world’s most prestigious youth award for a water-related science project. The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) administers the SJWP, with H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden as the Patron. ITT Corporation is the global sponsor.
The national and international competitions are open to young people between the age of 15 and 20 who have conducted water-related projects focusing on local, regional, national or global topics of environmental, scientific, social or technological importance. The international winner receives a $5,000 award and a crystal sculpture. As a result of the competitions, thousands of young people around the world become interested in water. www.sjwp.org
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