BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Recognition of Synopsys Science Fair Award Recipients.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Recognize the Synopsys Science Fair Special Award Recipients.
Body
SUMMARY:
At the December 11, 2018, Santa Clara Valley Water District Board meeting, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to support the Youth Commission’s recommendation to be a Synopsys Science Fair Special Award Sponsor. In addition, the Board approved the commission’s recommendation to add the following components to the Synopsys Science Fair Special Award Sponsorship:
1. Tour of Valley Water facilities for winner(s);
2. Public recognition at a Board of Directors meeting; and
3. Contribution of an additional $550 sponsorship to the Synopsys Science Fair (the original contribution was $550) for a total of $1,100.
On December 18, 2018, the Synopsis Science Fair application was approved for an $1,100 sponsorship through Valley Water’s community sponsorship application process. This $1,100 was used toward monetary awards for top placing entries in two special award categories that were for water-related projects in 1) earth and environmental science, and 2) chemical and environmental engineering.
In addition, Valley Water participated in the March 14, 2019, fair by providing staff judges for Valley Water-sponsored special award categories.
The Synopsys Science Fair Special Award and Valley Water participation as judges is made possible through the Youth Commission’s efforts to bring awareness of this science fair and its nexus with Valley Water’s mission to the Board. As a result, Valley Water will have an opportunity to increase awareness of issues and activities related to water supply, conservation, flood protection, and stream stewardship to all middle and high school students in Santa Clara County.
The Youth Commission plans to increase its involvement in future science fairs and will discuss opportunities, such as creating judging criteria for the special awards, in the near future.
On April 7, 2019, staff attended the Awards Ceremonies for two categories of recipients:
1. Middle Schoolers from 6th through 8th graders that received a total of $550.00:
Third Place Winners receiving $50 each;
Rayan SenGupta and Nicole Tsioutsioulikli
Second Place Winners receiving $75 each;
Vedant Janapaty and Sangyani Sinha
First Place Winners receiving $100 each;
Nithya Appannagaari, Vedavi Kavoori and
Ashwini Paramesh
2. High Schoolers from 9th through 12th graders that received a total of $800.00:
Third Place Winners receiving $75 each;
Ashley Dang from Los Gatos High School
Shannon Miranda from Presentation High School
Second Place Winners receiving $100 each;
Danya Balagopal from Oakwood High School
Abida Diep and Vittal Thirumalai both from Valley Christian High School
First Place Winners receiving $150 each;
Neha Mannem and Charu Vijay from Lynbrook High School
Sriya Sridhar from Santa Clara High School
Valley Water’s $1,100 sponsorship was supplemented by the Santa Clara Valley Science and Engineering Fair Association of $250 for a total of $1,350 that was awarded to the recipients.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact for this agenda item.
CEQA:
The recommended action does not constitute a project under CEQA because it does not have the potential for resulting in direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
ATTACHMENTS:
None. Certificates will be available on the meeting day.
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Rick Callender, 408-630-2017