Environmental Challenge Calls on K-12 Students To Develop Green Solutions

• By David Nagel
• 08/24/09

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), Discovery Education, and the Siemens Foundation have announced the opening of the 2009 "Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge." The challenge calls on K-8 students to develop green solutions for their schools, homes, and communities.

This year's challenge has been expanded to allow students in grades K through 5 enter, in addition to middle school students. (Next year's program is expected to be expanded further to include high school students.)

The competition challenges middle school students to identify, explore, and research an environmental issue in their community and come up with recommendations for addressing the issue. For the challenge, the students work in teams and compete with other students across the United States. More than 2,000 students participated in the inaugural challenge last year.

This year, in addition to a middle school category (grades 6 through 8), there are also categories for K-2 and 3-5 students to enter.

Prizes for the challenge include savings bonds, school grants, trips, and TV appearances for students and mentors. Prizes for this year's competition will total more than $100,000, according to information posted on the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge Web site.

The deadline for entries for K-5 students in Jan. 31. The deadline for middle school entries is March 15. Elementary school winners will be announced in April, and middle school winners will be announced in May. Further information about the challenge can be found here.