The Carnegie Science Center announced the winners of its 2010 Carnegie Science Awards, sponsored by Eaton Corporation, and among the award winners are teachers and scientists taking steps to improve the environment.

The Carnegie Science Awards program began in 1997 to recognize and promote outstanding science and technology achievements in western Pennsylvania. Celebrating its 14th year, the Carnegie Science Awards have honored the accomplishments of more than 250 individuals and organizations that have improved lives through their commitment and contributions in science and technology.

"This is Eaton's thirteenth year as a sponsor and we are proud to be associated with a program that recognizes corporations and individuals devoted to science and technology," said Jerry Whitaker, president of the Americas for Eaton Corporation's Electrical Sector. "These regional assets have an impact that expands far beyond their local footprint into the global marketplace."

The Carnegie Science Awards program helps fund Science Center exhibits and educational programs that reach thousands of young people to broaden their perspective about careers in the fields of science and technology," said Ron Baillie, Henry Buhl, Jr. Co-Director of Carnegie Science Center. "And through our Science Connections mentoring program, many of the awards recipients engage young people in the real-world practice of the sciences."

"Each year the Carnegie Science Awards shines the spotlight on extraordinary researchers, entrepreneurs, and educators working in science and technology fields," said Ann Metzger, Henry Buhl, Jr. Co-Director of Carnegie Science Center. "Our region generates amazing talent and cutting-edge technology and advances in science-related industries. The Awards program recognizes the best and the brightest the region has to offer."

Awardees will be honored during a formal celebration at Carnegie Music Hall on May 7, 2010. The Keynote speaker for the ceremony is Chris Carmichael, founder and CEO of Carmichael Training Systems, Inc. and personal coach to cancer survivor and seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.

The full list of award winners is available online. Among the award winners are:

Middle Level Educator Award :Arlynn Adamerovich, Ligonier Valley Middle School. Seventh-grade teacher Arlynn Adamerovich is a progressive educator who incorporates inquiry-based practices. She takes her classroom outdoors as well as brings the outdoors into her classroom through programs like Trout in the Classroom, which teaches students about freshwater conservation.

High School Educator Award: Jeanne Campbell Suehr, Yough School District. Jeanne Campbell Suehr, high school chemistry teacher, was a 2008 Westinghouse N-vision Grant recipient. She connects her students to chemistry through real world and inquiry-based experiences, implementing district-wide recycling, radon testing, and the effects of household chemicals on algae.

Special Achievement in Environmental Education Award: Laura Branby and Wendy Kedzierski and Jim Palmer, Creek Connections, Allegheny College. Creek Connections annually invites more than 40 schools throughout the region to turn waterways into outdoor environmental laboratories. Pittsburgh Field Educator Laura Branby, Project Coordinator Wendy Kedzierski, and Co-Founder Jim Palmer help educate teachers and students about their local waterways.

Environmental Award: Devra Davis, PhD, Environmental Health Trust. Dr. Davis, award-winning writer, is founder of Environmental Health Trust, an independent think tank devoted to studying and reducing environmental health hazards. She also founded the world's first Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

Analysis & Reporting Award: Jeff Fraser, Pittsburgh Quarterly. Published by Pittsburgh Quarterly in November 2008, Jeff Fraser wrote "The Truth About Pittsburgh's Air," an award-winning series on regional air quality. The series puts into context the various causes for regional air pollution and analyzes governmental regulations.

Catalyst Award: Terrence Collins, PhD, Institute for Green Science. Dr. Collins is a green chemistry pioneer at Carnegie Mellon, where he invented an advanced oxidation technology for destroying hazardous substances in water that is in commercial deployment. He started the first-ever university course in green chemistry in 1992.

High School Educator Award: Evelyn Breitigan, Avella Area Junior/Senior High School. Evelyn Breitigan, biology teacher, connects students with real-world learning in science through community service projects, like school-wide recycling and maintaining campus nature trails. Her programming also brings science to life as students teach peer students in lower grade levels.

Environmental Award: Gregory Lowry, PhD, Carnegie Mellon University. Gregory Lowry is developing nanotechnology that can be used to clean up pollutants, such as chlorinated solvents and heavy metals in drinking water. This technology promises to be less intrusive and energy intensive than conventional clean-up approaches.