The Carnegie Science Center Awards for Excellence each year recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to science and technology in education, research, entrepreneurship and commerce.

This year a number of awards went to individuals for the contributions they made for excellence related to the environment—

Margaret H. Dunn: Margaret Dunn has worked with the coal mining industry for over twenty years providing geologic services and addressing water quality issues. In 1992 she co-founded the Jennings Water Quality Improvement Coalition, where she was involved in some of the earliest work on the passive treatment of acid mine drainage in western Pennsylvania. The knowledge learned from this experience revolutionized the development of passive treatment technology.

Bethany Foster-Wilhelm: Over the past two years, Bethany Foster-Wilhelm has exposed many Pittsburgh Public School students to unique learning opportunities related to the environment. Her sixth grade classes are currently designing two outdoor classrooms which they plan to start building this year. This activity ties in with their curriculum called “Models and Designs.” So far, they have support from Conservation Consultants, the Pennsylvania Resources Council and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

James G. Rutkowski: James Rutkowski recently received a grant to coordinate his latest venture, SCUBA DO’s. This project allowed for students to go through the training to become SCUBA NAUI certified. The purpose of the grant is to study the sediment that is flowing into Presque Isle Bay from the Cascade Creek Watershed. As part of the Remediation Action Plan, the students will place sediment collection devices and retrieve the devices at periodic times to monitor the sediment flow into the Bay.

Megan Conroy: As a student, Megan was fascinated with acid mine drainage in coal mining areas and the damage it causes to streams. She initiated a project with the intent of finding natural means for AMD cleanup by raising the pH and removing aluminum from an AMD stream. She tested various substrates and found that mushroom/compost mixture neutralized acid water and drastically decreased iron.

For a complete list of Excellence Award winners, visit the Carnegie Science Center website.

6/12/2005