Now in its 18th year, Caring for the Kenai is an environmental awareness contest for high school students that provides an opportunity for a cooperative effort by industry, businesses, local and state government, school districts, non-profit organizations, environmental groups, and the media to increase public understanding of our communities environmental and natural disaster challenges.

Entrants begin with an environmental issue they wish to address and develop a solution specific to that issue. Entrants will do research, perform experiments, and conduct interviews in order to learn as much about their topics as possible. Then, each entrant, or team, writes a proposal (essay) including such information as the problem (s)he is attempting to solve, what has been learned about this problem, and the entrant's solution to the problem.

Proposals are collected and judged. Through an extensive process of judging, nearly 600 proposals are narrowed down to 12 finalists. After the finalists and teachers are notified of their standings, they begin preparing for an oral presentation. They have several weeks to prepare for this presentation in front of a panel of 7judges, an audience, and streamed live over the internet.

Money & Prizes
This year the contest will give away over $25,000 in cash prizes.

Contest Details - Listed below are documents critical to the contest.

2008 Entry Form
This single page document included official entry form plus a calendar and deadline for this year's contest.

2008 Brochure
This is the official contest brochure outlining contest details.

2008 Timeline - Important dates to remember

• March 10 - Contest Deadline
  All entries must be delivered to the Kenai River Center by 5 p.m.
• March 19- Select 12 Finalists
• April 5- Display semi-finalists at Gottschalks
• April 17 - Oral Presentation competition for finalists
• April 28- VIP Awards Banquet

Student Proposal Requirements and Scoring Rubric
This document can be used by teachers, students, and parents to help show what makes a winning proposal.

Oral Presentation Judging Rubric
This document provides a snapshot of how students are judged during the Oral Presentation of the finalists.

A Model Educational Partnership
CFK gets its message to a larger segment of the population than just students and teachers. The program's main message - "We are all environmental decision makers" - reaches parents and the community at large. Parents learn about CFK when students discuss and work on their projects at home. In addition, local media co-sponsors assist in getting the message out to the public. Industry, government, educators, regulators, and private citizens work together to promote both educational and environmental innovations.

• CFK has received legislative citations from local and state government for creating a model school/business partnership.
• The American Diabetes Association chose CFK to receive their "Leaders in Innovation" Award in the category of education.
• The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District has included the CFK program as part of their Science and Language Arts Curriculum for grades 9-12.
• The Pledge & Promise environmental awards, sponsored by Sea World and Busch Gardens, has recognized the KPBSD, CFK, and Unocal for the contribution in providing creative stewardship over the planet's natural resources.
• CFK has been included as part of Alaska's Promise for Youth book, which is Alaska's commitment to America's Promise 2000. The program, headed by General Colin Powell, is an effort to reach 2 million young people with an opportunity to give back to America through their own services.
• Four CFK winners have received Presidential Environmental Youth Awards for Region 10 in the past six years and honored personally by the President of the United States.

Believe It!
If anyone doubts that industry, government, community, and regulators can work together to address environmental issues, just have them take a look at what people are saying about CFK:

"Caring For The Kenai stimulates creative thinking while involving high school students with science and environmental problem solving. It is an investment in the future that Agrium has been proud to make."
-- Chris Sonnichsen, Manager Agrium Kenai Nitrogen Operations

"Agrium is honored to sponsor "Caring for the Kenai". We believe in partnerships with our community as well as being environmentally responsible - two key aspects to this program. CFK stimulates young people and affords Agrium personnel an opportunity to work with the community on projects which offer solutions and foresight. We look forward to continued support of this innovative program in the years ahead."
-- Mike Wilson, Agrium Inc., Chief Operating Officer

"Our investment in youth must go beyond monetary contributions. Through the Caring for the Kenai program, Chevron has been successful in stimulating community mentorship while offering students incentives for relating to their local environment."
-- John Zager, Vice President, Chevron

"The diversity of my students' success with CFK has been truly impressive. We've had contest winning ideas that have ranged from high-tech computer science to a catchy CFK theme song."
-- Pat Nolden, science teacher, Soldotna High School

"CFK enhances teacher collegiality, allowing us the opportunity to work together in a cross-curriculum program."
- Hilary Matthews, Lana Syverson, Darren Jones, Wade Marcuson, Skyview High School

"Students have demonstrated through the CFK program that our communities can find the balance between caring for Alaska's environment and providing for our economic future."
- Janice Adair, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Administrator

"The concept of CFK represents a second awakening of environmental management where individuals, educators, government, and environmentalists work together towards a common goal."
- Gene Burden, Former Commissioner, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

"These young students have shown promise and potential through their extraordinary projects in helping to create a cleaner, safer and healthier environment. They are our future, and we are proud of their accomplishments."
- Carol Browner, EPA Administrator, Washington, D.C.

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