ALEXANDRIA, VA. – The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has announced that 49 high school students have been selected as the 2020 state winners of the U.S. Stockholm Junior Water Prize, the nation’s most prestigious youth award for a water-related science project.
The student winners — from 41 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico — will compete in the national competition, which will be taking place in a digital format on June 20. The winner of the national competition will receive $10,000 USD and represent the United States in the international competition during World Water Week. Traditionally, World Water Week events include a royal ceremony during which the patron of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, presents the winner with $15,000 USD. However, World Water Week, originally scheduled for August 23-28 in Stockholm, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and organizers are deciding the best way to conduct the international competition in a digital format.
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize aims to increase students’ interest in water-related issues and research and to raise awareness about global water challenges. The competition is open to projects aimed at improving of water quality, water resources management, water protection, and drinking water and wastewater treatment.
"These students' passion and creativity has led to impressive research into ways to protect and preserve water resources," said Jackie Jarrell, WEF President. "WEF is proud to support their work to advance and expand water research."
In the U.S., WEF and its Member Associations organize the regional, state, and national competitions with support from Xylem Inc., who also sponsors the international competition. The Bjorn von Euler Innovation in Water Scholarship Award, a $1,000 USD scholarship sponsored by Xylem Inc., will be also awarded to the state winner who demonstrates a passion for education, spirit of creativity, and innovation.
