Ellie Hummel and Jane Hu, at center, left and right, respectively, hold their SJWP certificates. Attending the ceremony were Valerie Lucas, representing KY-TN WEA, at Ms. Hummel's left; Kay Sanborn, representing KY/TN AWWA, back row between the prize winners, and Milad Ebrahimi, representing Louisville MSD, far right. Louisville office team members shown include, from left, Tyler Bridges, Nick Gunselman, Shanna Stone, Josh Flanery, Robert Bates, Joe Pavoni, and Adalyn Haney. No one can say Louisville high school students Jane Hu and Ellie Hummel don't take water or science seriously. This week they won Kentucky's 2019 Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) for their water-related research.
And their work isn't over; they'll compete this June in Columbus, OH, at the SJWP National Competition.
Ms. Hu's and Ms. Hummel's research involved designing a water filter for the removal of pharmaceuticals from water using various carbon based nanomaterials. Both students attend duPont Manual High School in Louisville; their science teacher is Kathy Fries.
Representatives from KY/TN Section AWWA, KY-TN WEA, and Louisville MSD, as well as members of GRW's Louisville office were on hand when the young women received their prize in May.
According to the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the SJWP competition was founded in 1997 by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). It complements the Stockholm Water Prize, which is an international water award established to honour outstanding achievements in the sustainable use and protection of the world's water resources. The WEF coordinates the national SJWP competition. In Kentucky, the prize is sponsored by the KY-TN WEA.
SJWP awards are given at regional, state, national, and international levels to recognize student achievement in water-related research.
At the national competition, according to the WEF, one project will be chosen to represent the United States at the SJWP International competition in Stockholm, Sweden. Up to two runners-up will also be chosen to receive an additional award. The U.S. winner will join winners from 30 countries to compete for the international title in Stockholm, Sweden during World Water Week.
GRW encourages and supports the involvement of young people in careers related to engineering, architecture, geospatial, and the built environment in general. Browse our web pages to learn more about our firm - stop by our careers page to learn how you can submit your resume.