Scholastic is excited to announce the launch of the 2012 Lexus Eco Challenge! Now in its sixth year, the program offers an engaging opportunity for students to take eco-action into their own hands and impact their community in a positive way. The Lexus Eco Challenge is a STEM competition that tasks students in grades 6–12 with identifying an environmental concern in their community and attempting to solve it through teamwork. Past projects have included mapping pollution patterns, installing solar panels, researching local water contamination and developing water purification systems, composting, building greenhouses, conducting school-wide waste audits, creating biking and carpooling programs—the list goes on. Impressed yet?

The Challenge is broken into three parts, which are carried out from September through February:

• Challenge 1, Land & Water: landfills, waste management, recycling, and more
• Challenge 2, Air & Climate: global warming, climate change, and more
• Final Challenge: This one is invite-only: Finalists who compete in the third challenge are determined by what teams win in the first two

This year, the Lexus Eco Challenge has a bunch of exciting enhancements, including a new online entry form that allows for direct photo uploads. Entrants can submit PowerPoint presentations via the site as well.  Plus, the website has a sleek new look that’s already turning teachers’ heads. Take a look!

What do you think? Are your students up for an Eco Challenge? Join today!