Lexus Eco Challenge #2 Winners Announced

The second phase winners of the annual Lexus Eco Challenge launched on September 28, 2009 were announced. They comprise fifteen middle and high schools teams, each of them awarded with $10,000. Moreover, they also secured an invitation to participate in the Final Challenge for a chance at one of two $30,000 grand prizes and 14 $15,000 first-place awards.

All award money is shared among the students, teacher advisor and school. The entry deadline for the Final Challenge is March 16, 2010.

“Since launching the Lexus Eco Challenge three years ago, we’ve enjoyed watching as thousands of students have stepped up to protect our environment, and this latest round of entries did not disappoint us,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “We’ve been impressed, humbled, and most of all, inspired by the dedication of the teams and their teacher advisors.”

For each of the challenges, teams are required to define an environmental issue that is important to them, develop an action plan to address the issue, implement the plan, and report on the results.

The Challenge #2 winning teams that best addressed environmental challenges associated with air and climate were: P.A.N.T.H.E.R. – Providing a New Way to Help Environmental Restoration, Westminster Greencats, LEXgo , McAuley EcoMacs: Operation Haiti, Team Neon, Project Blue Sky, SAVE - Students Against Violating the Earth, R.A.W.R - Rocky-Mountain Area Wildlife Research, Tap In Too, E.F.B.S. - Eco-Friendly Bag Savers, Goff Gone Green, The Eco Team. HMS Hawks, Unplug the Thug and Bayside Pollution Revolution.

This year’s first place and grand-prize-winning teams will be announced during Earth Month in April 2010.