$200,000 Gift Launches Program that Uses Environment to Engage Young People in Science

INDIANAPOLIS – Veolia Water Indianapolis, operator of Indianapolis' drinking water system, today announced it has contributed the lead gift of $200,000 that will enable an Indiana University visualization lab and an environmental center at IUPUI to engage young people in science for the future benefit of the environment and economic development.

The program, Discovering the Science of the Environment (DSE), will help address the educational and economic development needs in Indiana to develop scientifically and technologically skilled students who are engaged in scientific enquiry and interested in careers in science, engineering and technology.

Discovering the Science of the Environment will also provide Hoosiers with more information about the environment and their role in improving its quality.

The comprehensive science education program, featuring innovative experiences, will be provided by the IUPUI Center for Earth and Environmental Science (CEES) and IU’s Visualization and Interactive Spaces Lab, part of the Pervasive Technology Labs at Indiana University. Both are located on the campus of IUPUI.

"We have such a strong partnership with CEES in our research and watershed management activities that it makes good sense to support a hands on, technology-driven educational program that connects students to the environment," said Tim Hewitt, president of VWI. "Ultimately, we are not only equipping students with the skills they need to be successful in their careers, we are nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards in our community."

The announcement of Discovering the Science of the Environment program was made against the backdrop of the White River on the campus of IUPUI. Students participating in the 2006 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair at the Indianapolis Convention Center toured the Lilly ARBOR Project (Answers for Restoring the Bank of the River) site and used sophisticated environmental monitoring equipment to study water resources and ecosystem restoration.

The Lilly ARBOR Project is a massive experiment in which about 1,400 trees were planted in an eight-acre strip of land between 10th Street and New York Street along the White River as part of an experimental floodplain reforestation program.

Students visiting the Lilly ARBOR site saw first hand how environmental scientists measure and evaluate water quality and ecosystem restoration trends. Methodologies employed are similar to those that will be used by young scientists in the DSE program. Measurements from today’s program can be compared to the results of a statewide water quality test, funded by Veolia Water Indianapolis, LLC., that will be shown at the Intel International Science Fair on Thursday and Friday.

“Discovering the Science of the Environment will be based around the need for hands-on science education and focused on experimentation and evaluation of restored ecosystems and habitats, school ground natural areas, and habitats at nature centers and parks,” said Lenore Tedesco, Associate Professor, Department of Earth Sciences and Director of the Center for Earth and Environmental Science. “Water ties people and communities together, and our focus on water quality and water resources will provide an accessible and universally applicable experience, making science education relevant and exciting.”

By attracting young people to careers in science, engineering and technology, the program will also help address a shortage of qualified and well-prepared science, math and technology students to fulfill workforce needs.

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Indianapolis puts the importance of engaging young people in science squarely in the spotlight this week. It underscores the need for ongoing, long-term initiatives like DSE program.

“Initiatives like Discovering the Science of the Environment play such a crucial role in stimulating excitement and interest in science and technology,” said Anne Shane, Vice President of BioCrossroads. “With over 80% of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. dependent upon a knowledge base in science and math, we must do everything we can to help our students become competitive for the jobs of today and tomorrow. BioCrossroads is pleased to support this program.”

The Discovering the Science of the Environment program will design and create programs, training, and materials for use by teachers and other environmental education program providers to enhance science literacy in Indiana. The program will be comprised of five components:

• Field science experiences and development of a mobile high-technology environmental science education trailer
• Museum and nature center interactives and displays
• Distance education and internet programs
• Professional development workshops for middle and high school teachers
• Equipment loan program for schools, parks, nature centers, and museums

The Eli Lilly and Company Foundation has also made a commitment to supporting DSE, which has a total budget of $1.4 million.

Veolia Water Indianapolis manages all operations, maintenance and customer service facets of the city's waterworks system, producing nearly 50 billion gallons of drinking water for Central Indiana residents each year. Representing the largest public-private partnership for water service in the U.S., VWI is a subsidiary of Veolia Water North America, the leading provider of comprehensive water and wastewater services to municipal and industrial customers, serving approximately 15 million people in more than 600 communities. Visit www.veoliawaterna.com for more information.

CEES is an interdisciplinary urban environmental center engaged in environmental research, science education and public service. Among its education programs, the center provides environmental education resources, K-12 teacher workshops and support, and continuing education and demonstrations for environmental professionals. For more information about CEES, visit http://www.cees.iupui.edu/.

The Visualization and Interactive Spaces Lab combines computer graphics with innovative user interfaces to create highly interactive experiences for education and exploration. Within the last year, the Lab has installed educational exhibits at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Indiana State Museum, and the Ruth Lilly Health Education Center. The Lab is part of the Pervasive Technology Labs at Indiana University, a research and economic development engine, with seed funding from the Lilly Endowment. For more information about the lab, visit: http://vis.iu.edu/.