FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan 9, 2015

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

SOUTHEAST DISTRICT SERVES AS JUDGE FOR PALM BEACH REGIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR

~The DEP recognizes students in Palm Beach County~

Michelle Piccolo representing DEP's Southeast District presents awards to Cassandra Messinger (Left) and Kerry Castor (Right).

WEST PALM BEACH –  Encouraging environmental awareness and education among Florida students is important to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The department’s Southeast District was able to do this by participating as a judge at the Palm Beach Regional Science and Engineering Fair. 

Last night, staff presented two awards at the Palm Beach Regional Science and Engineering Fair Awards Ceremony. One award was presented to a middle school student, Cassandra Messinger from St. Mark's Episcopal School in Palm Beach Gardens. The other award was presented to a high school student, Kerry Castor from Suncoast High School in Riviera Beach. Both awards were for excellence in the area of environmental science. There were a total of 91 projects in the environmental science category, 45 in the senior division and 46 in the junior division.

“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is honored to be a part of the Palm Beach Regional Science and Engineering Fair this year,” said Jill Creech, director of DEP's Southeast District. “The department is pleased to recognize two outstanding students in the Palm Beach County area for the hard work and dedication they have put into their projects.”

The fair took place from Dec. 9 - 11, 2014, at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center West and included more than 650 middle and high school students' science fair projects. Students participated in their school's individual science fairs and were chosen by their school to participate in the regional science and engineering fair.

“Here in Florida, environmental research is a competitive field and we are very proud of the work our students do in environmental science,” said Jennifer Davis, regional coordinator for the Palm Beach Regional Science and Engineering Fair. “We are grateful to the FDEP for recognizing these two outstanding students and encouraging countless others to continue their innovative work.”

This year marks the 58th Annual Palm Beach Regional Science and Engineering Fair held by the School District of Palm Beach County. The school district consists of 185 schools with approximately 21,000 employees, including more than 12,000 teachers.

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention, and acquires environmentally sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view the department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us. 

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/e9019d