PORT OF SEATTLE 
MEMORANDUM 
COMMISSION AGENDA               Item No.      3b 
SPECIAL ORDER 
Date of Meeting      June 14, 2016 
DATE:    May 16, 2016 
TO:     Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
FROM:    Elizabeth Leavitt, Director Aviation Planning and Environmental Services 
Steven Rybolt, Environmental Program Manager 
Marco Milanese, Aviation Community Relations Manager 
SUBJECT:  Special Order of Business  Recognize the 2016 Raisbeck Aviation High
School Environmental Challenge Award Winners 
SYNOPSIS 
Airport staff would like to recognize the winners of the 2016 Raisbeck Aviation High
School (RAHS) Airports and the Environment High School Curriculum, also known as
the Environmental Challenge. In the annual program, students are given and must solve a
"true-to-life" environmental problem representative of the type of challenges airports
typically encounter. The curriculum showcases aviation professions, particularly those at
an airport, and helps students understand why complex challenges require a multidisciplinary
approach. 
2016 AWARD WINNERS 
Eli Benevedes 
Dakota Gorder 
Ulises Mendoza 
Ailis Waddill 
BACKGROUND 
The Airports and the Environment High School Curriculum is an annual project-based
learning and educational program designed by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's
Environmental Programs and Public Affairs staff. The program began in 2008, and 2016
represents the 9th year of the challenge. The one-month intensive curriculum was
developed specifically for RAHS and is the culminating project for the school's
sophomore class. 
Founded and operated by Highline Public Schools, RAHS is an innovative science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM) high school with students from communities
around the airport and potentially, the future aviation workforce. According to U.S. News 

Template revised May 30, 2013.

COMMISSION AGENDA 
Ted Fick, Chief Executive Officer 
May 16, 2016 
Page 2 of 2 
& World Report, Raisbeck Aviation High School is ranked as the number one high
school in Washington State for 2016. 
Students form teams and assume the role of a professional environmental consulting firm
to solve the annual Environmental Challenge. Students use information presented by
airport staff, airline officials, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other
outside agencies. They also conduct independent research, pa rticipate in an airport field
trip and hands-on activities to develop their optimal solution to the Challenge. 
This year the Challenge was to identify the impacts of growth at Sea-Tac Airport,
specifically around increased aircraft operations. Teams were asked to identify the
problem, evaluate various methods to increase the efficiency of the airfield as Sea-Tac
continues to grow, and explain and mitigate environmental and community impacts while
considering a variety of potential alternatives. 
Final team presentations are judged by a panel of experts comprised of aviation and
environmental professionals and local community leaders. The winning team is invited to
the airport for a day of activities and tours designed specifically for them.
The program won a 2014 Airports Council International Award for Excellence in Airport
Marketing and Communication Award - Aviation Education and Tour Programs. The
program supports the Port's workforce development goals, and helps prepare students for
careers in the aviation field. 
NEXT STEPS: 
Port of Seattle Commissioners will have the opportunity to present a commemorative
plaque to the 2016 winning team during the June 14, 2016 Commission meeting. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS SPECIAL ORDER 
PowerPoint Presentation (w/video)