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Challenge Calls on K-12 Students To Develop Environmental Solutions

• By David Nagel
• 09/12/11

The 2012 Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge is now accepting submissions. The competition calls on students in kindergarten through high school to develop environmental solutions for their schools, homes, and communities for a chance to win prizes for themselves and grants for their schools.

The challenge--put on by the National Science Teachers Association, the College Board, Discovery Education, and the Siemens Foundation--calls on K-12 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. Almost 18,000 students participated in the challenge last year, according to organizers.

Team prizes for the challenge include scholarships, school grants, travel expenses, and a "green prize pack." Scholarships, which are shared among team members, include $50,000 for first place, $25,000 for second place, and $10,000 for third place.

First- through third-place winners will also receive prizes for their schools and mentors, including grants of up to $5,000, NSTA membership, registration at the NSTA conference, and hotel stay for two nights at the conference.

Up to 51 smaller state finalist prizes will also be awarded. Prizes for this year's competition will total more than $250,000, according to organizers.

The deadline for entries is March 15. State finalists will be announced May 1; winners will be announced May 15. Further information can be found on the We Can Change the World portal.