Entries for the 2010 Thacher Environmental Research Contest must be submitted by April 5, 2010.

The contest awards cash prizes to secondary school students (grades 9-12) whose projects demonstrate the best use of satellites and other geospatial technologies or data to study Earth. Three cash awards will be given: 1st place — $2,000; 2nd place — $1,000; and 3rd place — $500. Entries can be submitted by individuals or teams. In the case of team entries, the cash award will be split equally among the winning team members. In addition to prizes for the winning students, the teachers of the first-, second- and third-place students or teams will receive a $200 amazon.com gift card. If participation is part of an after-school club or other activity independent of school, the student or team can identify an adult “coach” who would be eligible for this award (e.g., a parent, club leader, etc.).

Entries must be e-mailed or postmarked by April 5, 2010. IGES plans to announce the winning entries by May 12, 2010. Entries will be judged by IGES staff.

Eligible geospatial tools and data include satellite remote sensing, aerial photography, geographic information systems (GIS), and Global Positioning System (GPS). The main focus of the project must be on the application of the geospatial tool(s) or data to study a problem related to Earth’s environment. Geospatial technologies and data have numerous uses in science research, ranging from climate prediction to archaeology. They can be used to improve our understanding of the Earth system, including interactions among the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere and hydrosphere. They can also be used to improve the quality of our lives by supporting weather prediction, natural hazards monitoring, agriculture, land-use planning, coastal management, transportation, public health, emergency response and other fields.

The Thacher Environmental Research Contest (formerly the Thacher Scholars Award) was founded in honor of former IGES board member Peter Thacher, who died in 1999. Peter Thacher was former deputy executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, NASA advisor and, at the time of his death, president of the Earth Council Foundation/U.S. He was a leader in promoting the use of satellite remote sensing.

For more information on the 2010 Thacher Environmental Research Contest, please visit http://www.strategies.org/ThacherContest.

CONTACT
Dan Stillman
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
(703) 312-7138 (Phone)
(703) 312-8657 (FAX)
Email: dan_stillman@strategies.org

shannon Education, Technology, Uncategorized contest, GIS, high school, Students

10. You can play on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the student-only Listserve all in the name of science.
TWS’ social media sites are great resources for you to keep in touch and exchange information with fellow wildlife students. You can even find information on room and ride share for the annual conference.

9. TWS will give you (grant) money to go places like Snowbird, UT, Pittsburgh, PA and Portland, OR.
Students presenting at the annual conference can apply for an individual travel grant to receive up to $500 toward you expenses or your student chapter can apply for Student Chapter of the Year Award, which includes a $1,000 travel grant, in order to send a student delegation.

8. We’re hiring! And know other environmental agencies that are too.
www.wildlife.org gives you access to not only Wildlife Careers Center, where you can post your resume and search jobs all over the country, but also TWS internships (both paid and non-paid) and grant funding opportunities as well.

7. Student Discounts
Take advantage of the reduced rates available to full-time students pursuing careers in wildlife conservation and management. For only $35 (regularly $69) you will receive four issues of The Wildlife Professional magazine (print and full online access), twelve issues of The Wildlifer e-newsletter, and six issues of Wildlife Policy e-newsletter. Discounts are also offered on annual conference registration as well as the Associate Wildlife Biologist certificate application fee.

6. Get your Hands Dirty with Wildlife Experts
Whether it’s through field trips and projects, workshops or student conclaves you will become familiar with wildlife management techniques and natural resource issues while gaining valuable experience and relationships to give you a leg up on your competition.

5. Student – Professional Mixers
All students have heard a hundred times how important networking is but sometimes it’s hard to find the right social environment. TWS makes it easy by setting up mixers at the annual conference which allows students to interact with hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of wildlife professionals. The student mentoring sessions, student leaders breakfast and student-only field trips are other great ways to meet established experts in your desired field.

4. It Looks Good on your Resume
TWS is a well-recognized name among the environmental community and each conference, field project, conclave and leadership role you participate in will add to your skill set and give you more to talk about during interviews. A career fair and resume-writing workshop is included as part of the annual conference student curriculum and keep an eye out for a new high-tech, long-term mentoring program currently in development.

3. Competitions
Two words, bragging-rights. Awards are presented to the winners of the annual Quiz Bowl, a wildlife version of Jeopardy, Student Chapter of the Year and Student Chapter Advisor of the Year, as well as the annual conference Best Student Presenter and Best Student Poster. Winners will receive a plaque as well as accolades from peers and wildlife professionals.

2. Everyone’s Doin’ It
There are over 100 different student chapters in the US and Canada who are all striving to be the next generation of wildlife professionals. You also have the option to join local chapters, sections and working groups to broaden your knowledge of wildlife issues in other geographic areas.

1. It’s FUN and Rewarding!
Between your student chapter activities, the annual conference, field trips and more, you’ll meet students with similar interests and develop a sense of purpose and dedication in the field of wildlife conservation and management.

So, in the time it takes to watch another “Jersey Shore” re-run, you could join The Wildlife Society as a student member, search for an internship, post your resume and start taking advantage of the multitude of other opportunities available to you.

Lisa Monrreal Membership Membership, Students