Twelve finalists have been selected in the 26th annual Caring for the Kenai program, but their identities will not be revealed until April 21st when the presentations are judged.
Challenger Learning Center CEO Marnie Olcott…
Olcott: “There were more than 300 entries received this year, 100 of those were advanced to the semi-finalist round, and now we’re down to the 12 finalists.”
Each year Kenai Peninsula contestants create projects to address, “What can I do, invent, or create to better care for the environment on the Kenai Peninsula, or to improve the area’s preparedness for a natural disaster.”
This is the first year the Challenger Learning Center has administered the program.
Olcott: “We are really excited to come into partnership with Caring for the Kenai, we really do share a vision for moving the program forward, expanding it into other areas, even taking it global.”
Last year the curriculum was licensed and available for high schools districts across the United States to implement. Olcott says she believes that the Challenger Learning Center can network with other learning centers to get the program implemented even further.
The final oral presentations will begin at 6:00 pm Thursday, April 21, at the Kenai Central High School’s Little Theatre.