Contact: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Friday, January 27, 2012

SCAPA at Bluegrass is among eight middle school winners nationwide in the air/climate division of the annual Lexus Eco Challenge, which encourages students to develop environmental programs that positively impact their communities.

Eighth-graders Sara Bidarian, Herman Bratcher, Blakeley Burger, Spencer Burt, Jordan Luciano and Baylee Polzin will divide $7,000 for their efforts. Their adviser, science teacher Ashlie Beals, will get $1,000 for school supplies, and SCAPA will receive the remaining $2,000 of the prize money.

For their project, the One-Towel Wonders encouraged people to reduce their energy consumption by using only one towel a week. The team created a Facebook page, Twitter account and website, made posters and a commercial about their campaign, and handed out nearly 500 informational brochures to six libraries, two hotels and more than 100 students.

The SCAPA team now advances to the next phase of competition along with a group from Tates Creek Middle School, a national winner in last semester’s land/water division contest.

This spring’s Final Challenge, which includes middle and high school teams, aims to inspire environmental action worldwide. Eight first-place teams will each receive $15,000, while two grand prize winners will take home $30,000 apiece for scholarships and school supplies. Winners will be announced in March.

Archives

Read more news and features in FCPS