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 that conference has had over the past five years.

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 individual 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 three words; green, conservation and sustainability have become a part of the American culture. How we choose to get around, live and what we choose to buy will impact how we live, work and learn as well as the state of the enviornment. This year, students are encouraged to tie in "Go Green" to their evironmental science project, when possible.  For more 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 presents an opportunity for students to explore or refine portions of their culminating project. The conference and conference organizers can also be used as a resource to connect with environmental organizations that can help assit with mentors, data, resources or community service hours the students may need to complete.

Conference Organizers

• National Weather Service, Spokane Field Office
• Spokane Aquifer Joint Board
• Spokane County Water Quality Management
• Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency
• Spokane Regional Solid Waste System
• 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:  Budinger & Associates, CH2MHill, Hollister-Stier, Northwest Farm Credit Services, Rings & Things, Spokane County Conservation District, TransCanada, Washington State Employees Credit Union, Wells Fargo