Innovative Public-Private Partnership Honored at White House for Excellence in STEM Mentoring

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The CH2M Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and W. B. Saul High School received the US2020 STEM Mentoring Award for Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships as part of the 2016 STEM Mentoring Symposium at the White House in an event held on August 11.

The US2020 STEM Mentoring Awards are a platform to celebrate and encourage exceptional work in the STEM mentoring field. The Award for Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships recognizes the CH2M Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and W.B. Saul High School's innovative, cross-sectoral approach to connecting students with talented science and engineering professionals and provide real-world STEM learning opportunities.

"We are honored to receive this award, which recognizes that we can achieve bigger and better outcomes working together than we can on our own. Our collaboration makes us stronger and more effective, and we are thrilled about the opportunity for CH2M engineering professionals and Conservancy scientists to pass their knowledge and passion on to students through mentorship in real world green engineering projects," said Ellen Sandberg, executive director of the CH2M Foundation and vice president of community investment.

In December 2015, the CH2M Foundation awarded a $200,000 grant to The Nature Conservancy to develop a green infrastructure—a resilient approach to water management—and STEM education pilot project at W.B. Saul High School's campus in Philadelphia. Throughout 2016 and 2017, CH2M engineers and Conservancy scientists will work directly with students and faculty to design and construct a green infrastructure project on the school's campus to work to address stormwater quantity and quality concerns.

"Studies show that informal science learning outside the classroom plays a crucial role in sustaining long-term understanding and interest in STEM fields," said Brigitte Griswold, director of youth engagement programs for The Nature Conservancy. "The students who attend W.B. Saul High School will be leading the development of this green engineering solution right on their campus. This partnership will help further students' understanding, interest and engagement in STEM principles, as well as model career paths that will help develop the next generation of STEM leaders in our country."

The goal of the partnership is twofold: to engage students in science and engineering to increase student interest in green STEM careers through access to mentors and project-based learning, and to engage the school community around the value of green infrastructure solutions, which may include bioswales, pocket wetlands, green roofs, or rain gardens, that create healthier urban environments.

"The W.B. Saul School is thrilled to be a part of this initiative and extend learning opportunities to students through the living laboratory of our 130-acre campus," said Tamera Conaway, principal of W.B. Saul High School.

"With this grant, teachers will be able to provide a true hands-on application of the agricultural curriculum that is currently being taught. The grant will enable Saul's teachers' to be at the forefront of teaching environmental technology," added Jessica McAtamney, agricultural dean of W.B. Saul High School.  

"We are mentoring young leaders in green STEM principles and increasing green infrastructure in urban Philadelphia by leveraging our scientific expertise alongside CH2M's engineering and infrastructure capabilities. Through this partnership, we are working toward creating a world where people and nature thrive together today and into the future," said Julie Ulrich, urban conservation program director for The Nature Conservancy's Pennsylvania chapter.

About CH2M 
CH2M leads the professional services industry delivering sustainable solutions benefiting societal, environmental and economic outcomes with the development of infrastructure and industry. In this way, CH2Mers make a positive difference providing consulting, design, engineering and management services for clients in water; environment and nuclear; transportation; energy and industrial markets, from iconic infrastructure to global programs like the Olympic Games. Ranked among the World's Most Ethical Companies and top firms in environmental consulting and program management, CH2M in 2016 became the first professional services firm honored with the World Environment Center Gold Medal Award for efforts advancing sustainable development. Connect with CH2M at www.ch2m.com; LinkedIn; Twitter; and Facebook.

About The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the web at www.nature.org. To learn about the Conservancy's global initiatives, visit www.nature.org/global. To keep up with current Conservancy news, follow @nature_press on Twitter.

About W.B. Saul High School 
The Mission of the Walter Biddle Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences, a diverse learning community, is to develop in students an understanding of and appreciation for the career and leadership opportunities that are available to them in the many fields of agriculture.  It is also our commitment to cultivate each student's individual abilities to prepare him or her for a lifetime of productive academic, vocational, and civic endeavors.

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