Cool Science Contest Gains Support from UPS, Wins Award
02/18/2015
By Karen Angelo
Schoolchildren across the commonwealth competed in the Cool Science program, creating artwork that educates the public about the effects of climate change.
In the Graduate School of Education’s third annual Cool Science competition, students in third through 12th grade from 28 schools submitted more than 506 pieces of artwork. The winning entries are displayed throughout the region on the inside of all Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) buses, and on the outside of select buses, reaching thousands of commuters with climate change messages every day.
Led by Assoc. Profs. David Lustick and Jill Hendrickson Lohmeier, both of the Graduate School of Education, and Prof. Robert Chen of UMass Boston, Cool Science recently won a Merit Hatch Award for outstanding achievement in creative branding and marketing.
“We are thrilled with the excitement that surrounds Cool Science, from the creative and passionate students, their teachers, parents, our corporate partners, and the public as well as the advertising community,” says Lustick who was recently honored at the White House event, “Champions of Change for Climate Education and Literacy” for his work on Cool Science and the ScienceToGo.org.
Cool Science entries were judged for clarity of message, scientific accuracy, creativity and artistic appeal. Suzanne Giardino of UPS, one of the judges, says the student artwork was “thought provoking.”
“In my eyes, all of students should be commended for their understanding of climate change science and raising awareness through the arts,” says Giardino.
UPS donated money to help pay for placement of the placards on the LRTA buses.
“We are proud to support the Cool Science project,” says Giardino. “Our company has made sustainability an important part of our business focus. In every aspect of our business we strive to do more for our customers, the environment and communities so this project is a good fit for us.”
The Lowell Regional Transit Authority and Anastas Advertising Associates have contributed to the project since 2012. LRTA donates advertising space and Anastas Advertising manages and helps design the final layout of the campaign. Cool Science was originally funded by a $32,000 grant from UMass President’s Creative Economy Initiatives Fund, which supports faculty projects in the arts, humanities and social sciences that benefit the state’s economy and improve quality of life.
Students who submitted artwork are invited to the university on Friday, April 10 to view the artwork in the O’Leary Library and on an LRTA bus.