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NSF Competition

Snow College Science Students Win NSF Competition

Snow College’s Innovation Team won big at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in its Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC). The CCIC challenged students to identify key problems and present solutions on issues facing America: infrastructure security, sustainability (including water, food energy and environment) and broadening participation in STEM.

Snow College students presented environmentally friendly pigment used on solar panels to generate power. The synthetic approach called Liquid Assisted Grinding, synthesizes inexpensive and environmentally friendly dyes for dye sensitized cells to create cost effective energy sustainability. “I am proud of the 4 young ladies that participated in this contest and look forward to having them be the example for future students entering into STEM programs.” remarked Snow College’s President Gary Carlston. 

10 winning teams representing nine community colleges across the country head to NSF this summer for an Innovation Boot Camp, June 15-18 co-hosted by NSF and the American Association of Community Colleges.

The Boot Camp is designed to provide a hands on learning opportunity for finalists to further develop their ideas through student networking, interaction with experts, and guidance to help further validate, refine, develop and implement solutions to real world problems.

US Representative David Price from North Carolina will host a reception on Capitol Hill for all finalists on June 17. Price works to improve make higher education more affordable for working families. The NSF’s Advanced Technological Education program, established by a Price authored bill in 1993, helps community colleges upgrade training programs for jobs in high-tech fields.

Background on the CCIC

Today more than 40 percent of U.S. undergraduates are enrolled at community colleges. Groups underrepresented in STEM as well as first-generation college students make up a significant portion of students on community-college campuses. NSF-funded projects at community colleges support STEM students transferring to four-year colleges, as well as receiving education and training to become part of the high-tech workforce--in fields as diverse as biotechnology, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing.

For full details on the contest, visit the challenge website for eligibility criteria, entry guidelines, timeline and prize information. You can also watch the 20 semifinalist videos from which the 10 winners were chosen.

This challenge furthers NSF's mission by enabling students to discover and demonstrate their ingenuity to use science to make a difference in the world and transfer knowledge into action. It also furthers the benefit of incorporating research into the traditional teaching mission of the community college. Get updates on Twitter: #CCIChallenge.