FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 9, 2006

CONTACT:
Mark Lynch
A.L. Brourman Associates, Inc.
412-716-0519
mlynch@brourman.com

PITTSBURGH VOYAGER ENROLLS SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOLS TO NAME NEW 'GREEN' BOAT

$3 Million Flagship Vessel is World-wide First

PITTSBURGH, PA – Pittsburgh Voyager, the Pittsburgh-based not-for-profit environmental education organization that operates a fleet of floating classrooms on the region's rivers, announced that it is sponsoring two competitions in connection with the building of its new flagship vessel, slated to arrive in Pittsburgh in time for the fall season. One of the competitions invites students to suggest names for the new boat; the other invites participants to create posters depicting "what a 'green' boat means to me."

Pittsburgh Voyager executive director, Karl Thomas, explained the rationale for the contests, which began on February 1. "Both have very practical considerations," said Thomas. "We haven't named the new boat and thought that this was an ideal way for getting young people to think creatively about names for this exciting, new vessel. The other contest is designed to get kids thinking about the significance of a 'green' vessel—one designed and engineered to be friendly to the environment," he added. "We hope they will give thought to why we made the decision to build it this way. Although this is just one boat, imagine what would happen if all boats were designed and operated this way? The boat itself becomes a teaching tool for helping students and the public imagine what’s possible in terms of building and operating a boat that incorporates principles of sustainability.”

Thomas indicated that all entries must be received by March 31. Winners will be notified by April 7, and the name of the new boat and the student who submitted it will be announced at Pittsburgh Voyager's April 27 benefit fundraiser featuring Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of famed explorer Jacques Cousteau.

The 90-ft., 150-passenger boat will include a state-of-the-art hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, one of the first of its kind in the world to be used for a commercial vessel, according to Pittsburgh Voyager. The design incorporates a wide range of green features, explained Thomas, who also noted that lead funding for the $3 million vessel was provide by The Heinz Endowments.

The contests’ organizer is Christine Statzer, a member of the education staff at Pittsburgh Voyager. "Both contests are open to kids in fourth grade through twelfth grade," she said, "and we have created several age groupings so that kids are competing with others at about the same age and grade levels." Statzer indicated that rules and information for both contests were mailed to school districts throughout southwestern Pennsylvania, and additional information is available on the Pittsburgh Voyager website.

"It's open to any student in those grade levels, regardless of where they attend school," commented Statzer. "Although the rules call for individual entries, I imagine that some schools and teachers will encourage this as an in-classroom activity. We are hoping for this kind of involvement by teachers and parents—the dialogue that will occur among students and adults will be very helpful in making sure that the kids have good handle on what it means to be 'sustainable' and environmentally-friendly," she added. Statzer noted that the winner and teacher of the “Name the Boat Contest,” along with the winner and three
finalists and teachers for the poster contest, will receive special invitations to be guests of Pittsburgh Voyager at the April 27 benefit fundraiser. Poster winners will also be recognized, and their posters will be displayed at the event.

More information about the competitions is available here

Information about the April 27 event is available by calling 412-231-2712.

About RiverQuest

RiverQuest, formerly Pittsburgh Voyager, is a not-for-profit science and environmental
educational organization providing river-based educational programs for students and teachers, as well as public programs and charters. RiverQuest's mission is to improve science, mathematics and environmental education; generate excitement about learning to inspire academic excellence; and hone critical thinking skills by providing opportunities for students to put classroom theory into practice. RiverQuest also provides a range of public programs, including interpretive cruises and private charters for businesses, organizations, and the public.

Since launching its programming in 1995 RiverQuest has served more than 55,000 middle and high school students through its experiential river-based learning programs. These students represent 200 schools from 65 school districts in 11 counties in western Pennsylvania. Along with students, more than 2,500 teachers and college students, and 15,000 members of the general public have participated in RiverQuest programs.

For more information call 412-231-2712 or visit RiverQuest's website at www.RiverQuest.org.