Teens nationwide learned the importance of recycling, composting, saving endangered plant and animal species and cleaning up parks and forests as they took part in the Lexus Eco Challenge, an educational program and contest that inspires and empowers middle and high school students to learn about the environment and take a stand to improve it.

Sixteen teams in 12 states were awarded $10,000 each for their outstanding entries in the "Protecting the Land" Challenge, the first of three initial challenges. This win has also secured each team an invitation to participate in the Final Challenge for a chance at $50,000. In all, $1,000,000 in scholarships and grants will be awarded throughout the year.

Third-generation oceanographer/environmentalist and Lexus Eco Challenge spokesperson Fabien Cousteau said he was impressed with the array of the winning entries. "I spend so much time working to open peoples' eyes to the environmental challenges we face today," he said. "Seeing these young people learn so early how important it is that we each do our part is inspiring. When I see this kind of dedication and commitment, I'm encouraged because the next generation is stepping up to be better stewards of the planet than we have been."

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.

"It's tremendous to see the creativity and commitment these students put into their projects," said Lexus Group Vice President Mark Templin. "It goes to show that every community has opportunities to improve its environment, and these students are learning that, if they work together, they can make a difference."

The Lexus Eco Challenge, now in its second year, launched most recently on September 15, 2008.  It concludes with the announcement of the first place and grand-prize-winning teams during Earth Month in April 2009. Challenge #2, "Water Works," is currently underway and has an entry deadline of December 12. Challenge #3, "Air/Climate," starts on December 17 and ends on Feb. 6, 2009.

In addition to the ongoing contest, the Lexus Eco Challenge also includes educational materials designed by Scholastic to encourage teachers to integrate creative lesson plans into their classrooms to help teach students about the environment. For each challenge, the website (www.scholastic.com/lexus) has lesson plans and teacher instructions including questions to help guide a discussion about the current challenge topic, facts about the topic and guidelines for a specific classroom project.

The Lexus Eco Challenge is part of the Lexus Pursuit of Potential, a philanthropic initiative that generates up to $3,000,000 in donations each year for organizations that help build, shape and improve children's lives.

The Challenge #1 winning teams that best addressed "Protecting the Land" were:

High Schools:

California (Roseville): "The Croc Hunter Crew" – Woodcreek High School – Wetland conservation, invasive species removal.

Florida (Plantation): "Team EcoGeeks" – South Plantation High School – Started an all-new recycling program. Promoted recycling at a 5K-run/walk event.

Georgia (Atlanta): "The Westminster CCC" – The Westminster Schools – Composting, reusing and recycling. Recycling increased 20 percent.

Hawaii (Honolulu): "Protect the 'Aina" – W.R. Farrington High School – Raised awareness about invasive plant species and benefits of protecting native and endangered plant species.

Illinois (Campaign): "R.E.A.D.Y. …Set…Go" – The R.E.A.D.Y. Program – Reduced paper use, increased recycling and reduced energy use.

New Jersey (Pennington): "The Composting Comrades" – Hopewell Valley Central High School – New composting program on the school's campus.

New York (LaGrangeville): "The Green Admirals" – Arlington High School – Recycling of water bottles through posters displayed around campus and videos that played in classrooms.

Wisconsin (Land O Lakes): "EcoSteelers" – Conserve School – Benefits of organic waste recycling and composting.

Middle School Teams:

Arizona (Tempe): "The Recyclers" – Connolly Middle School – Impact of plastic bags on the environment and encouraged use of reusable shopping bags.

Florida (The Villages): "Go Green Teens" – The Villages Charter Middle School – Encouraged the community to switch from disposable water bottles to reusable water bottles.

Indiana (Carmel): "Mariners" – Creekside Middle School – Increased recycling at school by providing recycling bins in the cafeteria, paper recycling boxes in classrooms and “green tips.”

New Jersey (Manahawkin): "S.O.A.K." – All Saints Catholic School – Researched endangered plant and animal species in the community. Initiatives to protect the horseshoe crab and bats.

New York (Albany): "Gators Going Green" – St. Teresa of Avila School – Implemented a recycling program at the school that cut waste in half.

Texas (Houston): "The Gale Force" – St. Francis Episcopal Day School – Raised awareness about the negative impact of deforestation, the benefits of trees and the need to replant trees.

Utah (Holladay): "Green Queens" – Olympus Jr. High – Cleaned up a local park including weeding, removing trash and graffiti and cleaning the pond.

Wisconsin (Mukwonago): "St. James, Mukwonago" – St. James Parish School – Educated the community about the importance of recycling and recycling bins in area parks.

Congratulations to all the winners!