6.22.2007 - 02:59pm ET

(CSRwire) PITTSBURGH- June 22, 2007- To promote participation and communication in science, Alcoa Foundation has partnered with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) to provide a three-year funding grant to the annual Young Naturalists Award (YNA) competition. Students in grades 7-12 across the United States, plan, execute, and report on their scientific investigation on an environmental question of their choice.

Their report essays—accompanied by illustrations and photographs—are reviewed by a group of science educators and environmentalists to select winners based on originality, quality of research, thoughtfulness of analysis, accuracy, and style of writing. In successive rounds of assessment, from around 700 applications, 48 finalists are chosen for final judging by a panel of Museum scientists and educators to select 12 winners, two in each grade level.

“We are pleased and proud to sponsor the American Museum of Natural History Young Naturalist Awards program, which is helping encourage the scientists and environment professionals of tomorrow,” said Meg McDonald, President of the Alcoa Foundation. “The Young Naturalist Awards Program combines education, conservation, and sustainability—key areas of focus for Alcoa Foundation.”

The 2007 winning projects range from investigations of water pollution in lakes and rivers, lichen as indicators of traffic pollution, plant diversity by elevation level, toad habitats, the effect of roofing material on global warming, and bird species in India. To read excerpts of the winning essays, visit www.alcoa.com/yna and select Community, or the YNA website.

The winners will be honored at a ceremony at the AMNH in New York City on June 22, at which Alcoa Foundation President Meg McDonald and Alcoa Director of Sustainability Anita Roper will help present the awards. Winners receive a scholarship and a paid trip to the awards ceremony, where they meet Museum scientists and take a behind-the-scenes tour of the AMNH. The AMNH also sends letters of recognition to Senators of the states where the YNA winners reside and features the winning essays in a fall issue of Natural History magazine and the annual YNA catalog.

About Alcoa

Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap® foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa® wheels, and Baco® household wraps. Among its other businesses are closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 122,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.

About Alcoa Foundation

Alcoa Foundation is a separately constituted nonprofit U.S. corporate foundation with assets of approximately $534 million. Its mission is to actively invest in the quality of life in Alcoa communities worldwide. Throughout its history, the Foundation has been a source of positive community change and enhancement, with nearly $437 million invested since 1952.

The Foundation's grants address global and local needs in over 30 countries by partnering with Alcoa communities around the world to make a difference. Global and local grantmaking is responsive to the needs and aspirations of Alcoa communities and marshals the combined expertise, energies, and values of Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation to provide a world-class standard of excellence in corporate citizenship.

In 2006, Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation invested a combined total of $42.3 million in community programs in 32 countries, focusing on four areas of excellence: conservation and sustainability, global education and workplace skills, business and community partnerships, and safe and healthy children and families. Alcoa Foundation manages the Alcoa employee volunteer programs ACTION and Bravo! For more information, visit www.alcoa.com, under Community.