Since 1995, the Center for Sustainability (CfS) has served as Penn State’s academic hub for student and faculty engagement around experiential, transformative sustainability education.
  

For the second year, Penn State will participate in the 2013 Dow Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge Awards. SISCA is designed to promote forward thinking in social and environmental responsibility; while also acknowledging the energy, commitment, and enthusiasm of students and their professors who support their innovations. Graduate students and faculty from Penn State are encouraged to join an international field of universities that are involved in the program.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to participate in SISCA. This unique program enables us to recognize some of the most creative and talented graduate students at Penn State who are pursuing sustainable solutions to the critical problems facing our global community," said Hank Foley, vice president of research at Penn State and dean of the Graduate School.

As part of SISCA, student competitors have the opportunity to network with global sustainability thought-leaders and peers, join a reputable network of SISCA alumni, display their work with various external sustainability media, and receive monetary prizes. Each finalist team will be given a $1,000 stipend towards the development of a final entry. A $10,000 prize will go to the grand prize team; while a $2,500 prize will go to the second place team.

The winning teams will be selected based on high-level criteria that include: potential for solving world challenges in alignment with Dow's 2015 Sustainability Goals, innovative thinking and excellence in research and