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Christopher Columbus Fellowship Program
Program Accomplishments
In 2007, the $25,000 Homeland Security Award was presented to Douglas L. McMakin, Staff Engineer in the Applied Physics Group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy, Richland, WA for the development of the first-of-its-kind personnel security system that safely detects non-metallic and metallic objects, including explosives that might be worn by a suicide bomber. The system provides a safe, fast and effective alternative to metal detectors, X-ray machines and pat-down searches at security checkpoints. As Project Manager and Technical Lead at the Radar Imaging Laboratory, where he has worked since 1987, Mr. McMakin and his team developed and tested innovative real-time microwave and millimeter-wave holographic-imaging systems for airport personnel screening for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (now the TSA) and body-measurements for biometrics and clothing applications using various planar and cylindrical imaging techniques. Mr. McMakin was very active in the commercialization of these technologies with two licensed partners L-3/SafeView (www.safeviewinc.com) and Intellifit (www.intellifit.com). In 2007, the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant went to a team of students from West Branch Middle School, West Branch, IA, for their Unrecognized Hazard: Used Oil Filters project. Concerned about the environmental hazards caused by used oil filters being disposed of in household trash and ultimately landfills, the students developed a public awareness campaign to educate the community about this environmental hazard. The Frank Annunzio Chairman's Award, named for the Foundation's Founder, the Honorable Frank Annunzio, went to the Saltwater Marshals team from Ripley's Aquarium, Myrtle Beach, SC, for their solution to an alternative energy problem. The team developed a tidal mill using the ocean's tides to generate energy and an environmental education program to address the problem of disappearing salt marshes and the need for alternative energy sources. Team members each received a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond. A $5,000 donation is presented to a non-profit organization of their choice to help implement their project. The 2007 Freida J. Riley Teacher Award was presented to Joanne B. Tindall, Teaching Principal at the W.F. Tallman School, Nashville Transition Center, for the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, Nashville, TN. Doctors told Joanne's parents that she would most likely be mentally retarded, would never walk or talk, and should possibly be institutionalized due to her premature birth and diagnosis of cerebral palsy at age two. Defying the doctors' dire predictions, Joanne quickly learned to walk and talk and has worked hard to remain ambulatory. Far exceeding the school system's expectations, she was quickly mainstreamed from self-contained special education classrooms into inclusion classrooms not only by graduating from high school as a National Honor Society student, but graduating as a member of Phi Beta Kappa from Tennessee Technological University with a teaching degree in special education, followed by a Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision. Building on the lessons learned through her own experiences as a disabled student, Joanne was determined to become a teacher and make a difference in her students' lives. She has dedicated her career to working with students with all types of special needs. After teaching for a few years, she began working as a crisis hotline phone counselor on weekends at a mental health center. This soon led to teaching GED classes to adult clients in the alcohol drug treatment facility and then the lead teacher and principal position of the adolescent day-treatment program. This eventually led to her current position as a teaching principal in a State-operated juvenile justice facility, where many of her students have earnedregulardiplomas,GEDs,orspecialeducationdiplomasin this very difficult teaching and learning environment.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Assistance is intended for the advancement of programs and individuals that pursue new discoveries.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
United States citizens may apply.
Beneficiary Eligibility
United States citizens will benefit.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
In order to fulfill its mission, the Foundation has developed Frontiers of Discovery programs.
WORK IN PROGRESS - The Work in Progress program is accomplished through two separate programs.
1) Homeland Security Award - A single $25,000 award will be presented to an American individual/company that is making measurable and constructive contributions related to basic and/or advanced research in the area of homeland security which will result in a significant and positive benefit to society.
The Award will be sponsored by the public-private partnership of the Foundation and presented by AgustaWestland North America, one of the world's largest helicopter manufacturers.
The mission of the Award is to promote and encourage "cutting edge" innovation in the vast arena of homeland security including but not limited to preventing, detecting or responding to threats from biological, radiological, nuclear, chemical and explosive attacks; border and transportation security; emergency responses to natural and man-made disasters; and cyber security and information sharing.
All nominations are received online at: www.ccolumbusfoundationawards.org.
2) Life Sciences Awards - In partnership with the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation will present four monetary awards as follows: one $25,000 award to an adult scientist or researcher; one $10,000 award to a current secondary school education; and $5,000 awards to two current secondary school students in biology and chemistry who are judged to exemplify excellence in life sciences.
The new Life Sciences Awards are designed to encourage and promote "cutting edge" innovation in the field of life sciences.
The awards will provide incentive for continuing the research.
All nominations are received online at: www.ccolumbusfoundationawards.org.
DISCOVER THE FUTURE - The Future program is accomplished through two separate programs.
1) Christopher Columbus Awards - The Christopher Columbus Awards program is a national competition which asks sixth through eighth grade students to identify a problem in their community and then solve it using the scientific method.
The program is designed to foster curiosity, creativity and critical thinking skills in youth with diverse backgrounds, interests and abilities.
The students work in teams of three or four.
The teams' entries are reviewed by a regional panel of judges who select 30 semi-finalist teams.
The Finalist judging selects eight finalist teams to compete in the National finals.
The National judging is held at Walt Disney World (R) Resorts, Orlando, FL.
In addition, the finalists attend the Christopher Columbus Academy, a custom-designed program that takes the students through a one-of-a-kind educational experience.
One of the teams wins the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant to take back to their community to make their idea a reality.
The program is managed by MMS Education, 105 Terry Drive, Newtown, PA 18940, Attn: Stephanie Hallman.
Visit: www.christophercolumbusawards.com.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
2) $10,000 Freida J.
Riley Teacher Award - The purpose of the Freida J.
Riley Teacher Award is to identify and reward an American teacher who "has overcame tremendous adversity or made an enormous sacrifice in order to positively impact students." The award is open to any certified classroom teacher who is presently teaching full-time (grades K-12), in an accredited U.S.
public, private, or charter school.
The award will be presented to a teacher who is working with a physical disability, is dealing with an especially challenging educational environment, or has performed a heroic act for his/her students.
The award will not be given posthumously.
The program is managed by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, 110 Genesee Street, Suite 390, Auburn, NY 13021.
Visit: http://www.columbusfdn.org/freidajriley/default.asp.
Application Procedures
"WORK IN PROGRESS" 1) Homeland Security Award - The winner of the Homeland Security Award must be an American individual/company that is making measurable and constructive contributions related to basic and/or advanced research in the area of homeland security which will result in a significant and positive benefit to society. All nominations are received online at www.ccolumbusfoundationawards.org. Innovations in all homeland security areas will be accepted. The deadline is May 23, 2008. 2) Life Sciences Awards - The four winners must be U.S. citizens and be permitted by their employer or any other relevant authority to accept a monetary award bestowed by the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency. All nominations are received online at www.ccolumbusfoundationawards.org. DISCOVER THE FUTURE -Christopher Columbus Awards - Entries will be accepted from teams of three or four students in grades six to eight from all 50 States, territories and possessions. All team entries must consist of a Christopher Columbus Awards Entry form (signed by the team members and the coach), a team-written section and the visual component. To enter, mail an original and two copies of the teams' community solution to: Christopher Columbus Awards, 105 Terry Drive, Suite 120, Newtown, PA 18940. Visit www.christophercolumbusawards.com. The deadline for entries is March 17, 2008. Freida J. Riley Teacher Award - The Freida J. Riley Teacher Award is limited to any certified classroom teacher who is presently teaching full-time (grades K-12), in an accredited U.S. public, private, or charter school. The award will be presented to a teacher "working with a physical disability, dealing with an especially challenging educational environment, or who has performed a heroic act for his/her students." The award will not be given posthumously. The deadline for entries is February 4, 2008. Application information is available from the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, 110 Genesee Street, Suite 390, Auburn, NY 13021. Visit: http://www.columbusfndn.org/freidajriley/default.asp.
Award Procedures
WORK IN PROGRESS - Homeland Security Award - All entries are read by the Board of Trustees of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation and a national Evaluation Committee. The Board of Trustees and AgustaWestland ultimately select the winner. The Award will be presented in Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2008. Life Sciences Award - All entries are read by the Board of Trustees of the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation and a national Evaluation Committee. The Board of Trustees and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ultimately select the winner. The Award will be presented in Washington, D.C. on a date in June 9, 2008. DISCOVER THE FUTURE - The Christopher Columbus Awards have three judging phases. The finals and the Christopher Columbus Academy are held at the Walt Disney World Resorts, Orlando, FL from June 16 - June 20, 2008. Freida J. Riley Teacher Award - Applications are evaluated by a panel of national judges. The Board of Trustees selects the winner. The award will be presented on May 1, 2008 in Bridgeport, West Virginia.
Deadlines
Contact the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation for deadlines.
Authorization
Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Coins and Fellowship Foundation, Public Law 102-281, Title IV, 106 Stat. 139-145, 20 U.S.C. 5701-5708.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
None.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
None.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
None.
Audits
None.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
76-8187-0-7-502.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $484,909; FY 08 est $290,000; and FY 09 est $300,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$10,000 to $25,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Judith M. Shellenberger, Executive Director, 110 Genesee Street, Suite 390, Auburn, New York 13021. Telephone: (315) 258-0090. Fax: (315) 258-0093.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
None.
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