12th Annual
Spokane Youth Environmental Conference
April 28, 2009 - Spokane Community College

The annual Spokane Youth Environmental Conference (SYEC) is a one day, high-energy event for students in grades 7-12, to showcase their environmental science projects.  This year's conference theme is Go Green - which ties-in the with conservation focus of the conference.

The Conference is designed to:

• Encourage students to do real scientific investigations.
• Provide students a forum to share their projects with their peers. Through oral presentations and visual poster exhibits, students learn from each other about environmental issues and about concrete actions each they can take to help address these issues.
• Enable students, through their active participation, to demonstrate their mastery of the Science and Language EALRs.
• Work toward meeting the Grade Level Expectations for math, reading and science.
• Complete culminating projects for seniors.

The actions behind the words; "green," "conservation," and "sustainability," have become a part of the American culture. How we choose to travel, live and purchase impact the enviornment. This year, students are encouraged to tie-in "Go Green" theme to their environmental science projects.  For information on how to participate in the conference, visit the "How to Participate" page.  A draft conference agenda is available. 

Whether students are considering an environmental science project as part of their Senior Project, or just starting to investigate what they might want to do in the future, the Spokane Youth Environmental Conference is a great tool. The conference provides an opportunity for students to explore or refine portions of their culminating project. The conference and conference organizers can also be used as resources to connect with environmental organizations that can help assist with mentors, data, resources or community service hours the students may need to complete their project.

Conference Organizers

• National Weather Service, Spokane Field Office
• Spokane County Water Quality Management
• Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency
• Spokane Regional Solid Waste System
• Spokane River Forum
• Washington State Department of Ecology

Conference Educator Advisors

• Jonathan Hanson, Educational Service District 101
• Jami Ostby-Marsh, West Valley Outdoor Learning Center
• Mindy Poindexter, Freeman Middle School

Conference Donors
The conference is made possible by the generous support of local businesses and organizations, listed below. For information about being a sponsor, click here.

2009 Conference Sponors:  Altek Inc., Budinger & Associates, CH2MHill, GeoEngineers, Hollister-Stier, Northwest Farm Credit Services, Rings & Things, Spokane Aquifer Joint Board, Spokane County Conservation District, TransCanada, Washington State Employees Credit Union, Wells Fargo