Anna Panchekha

For the past 20 years, the community of Montclair has dealt with the effects of radioactive waste contamination from an old luminous watch dial manufacturing factory. Panchekha's winning program idea, "Radioactivity in our Backyard", will help approximately 100 students in grades 10-12 at Montclair High School understand the impact, both harmful and beneficial, of this invisible phenomenon on human health and well-being. Different types of radiation, such as radon release and UV light, will be examined as well as useful applications of nuclear energy and the implications of using nuclear power as a source of electricity. The goal of the project is twofold: to improve students' overall understanding of radiation and nuclear activity and to address many of the myths associated with radiation. Students will conduct group research, perform field work to determine background radiation in different locations throughout the community and carry out laboratory exercises examining ways to protect people from UV radiation exposure. Panchekha wants to expand the project to include other topics like acid rain and thermal pollution that could potentially have a local environmental impact. Panchekha resides in Rutherford.