NEW YORK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality presented plaques to the 2023 recipients of the President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) program earlier this month. Among the winners is Kaitlyn Culbert, a Toms River High School North rising senior from New Jersey. From New York, Sam Nadol who will be a senior next school year at the Hackley School in Tarrytown, NY received an Honorable Mention award. The award underscores the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
“These student award winners embody the connection between STEM education and community engagement,” said EPA Senior Advisor for Equity and Chief of Staff Olivia Glenn. “I am excited to see what the future has in store for both Kaitlyn and Sam! These PEYA awards are a great recognition of their incredible contributions to date.”
PEYA Winner
Known as the “Bee Girl,” Kaitlyn Culbert is determined to do her part, as both researcher and activist, to help save the honeybees! Working with Rutgers and Stockton Universities, Katie implemented a laboratory project and field study involving Varroa mites (the number one killer of honeybees) and essential oils. She is currently developing a regression analysis to predict Colony Collapse Disorder. Her hope is to one day provide a complete “Honeybee Health System” mobile app that incorporates essential oils and a CCD predictive analysis to combat Varroa.
Equally important as research, is Katie’s commitment to community outreach. With her beekeeping certification in-hand, Katie secured land at Jakes Branch County Park and donations for beehives, equipment, and honeybees to establish the 4-H Busy Bees Beekeeping Club to teach young people about the world’s most important pollinator. Katie also serves as a Rutgers Pollinator Habitat Ambassador.
She is currently serving as the New Jersey Honey Queen and travels around the state of New Jersey as an ambassador to educate the public about the beekeeping and honey industry. She will be a proud senior at Toms River High School this upcoming school year.
PEYA Honorable Mention
Sam Nadol from Tarrytown, NY created a project called Reboot PC, which is an initiative to refurbish and recycle unused and non-working laptops and desktop computers. The goal of his project is to reduce electronic waste (e-waste) and provide free technology resources to those in need.
Sam started this project in 2017 and to date, he has refurbished and given away more than 380 computer systems (worth more than $87,000). Community members and business owners in Sam’s community, in and near Tarrytown, NY, have contributed used and new computer parts for the Reboot PC effort. Sam has collected used parts directly with weekly trips to local landfills and through donations and community green fairs.
The PEYA was established by the Environmental Education Act of 1970 and recognizes outstanding community-level environmental projects by K-12 youth that promote awareness of natural resources and encourages positive community involvement. Each year, PEYA honors a variety of local projects developed by students, school classes, summer camp attendees and youth organizations to promote engagement in environmental stewardship and protection.
To read more about the winning PEYA projects, visit: President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA)
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