Four groups from Fayette County Public Schools advanced to the 32-team final round of the 2015 Lexus Eco Challenge, a national STEM contest for grades 6-12 built on environmental issues and practical solutions. A group from Carter G. Woodson Academy, Tates Creek High School, and two teams from SCAPA at Bluegrass excelled in the air/climate division – winning $10,000 per team for their school, scholarships and classroom supplies.
The Energy Enforcers from Carter G. Woodson, led by adviser Melanie Trowel, include NiKerrion McDonald, Haiden Hunt, Quinton Turner, Stan Shelby and Anthony Wright. Their project focused on educating the community about reducing energy usage and how it impacts global warming. The students led presentations at their own school, at nearby Dixie Magnet Elementary and at the BMW Academy at First Baptist Bracktown. The team also handed out fliers outlining ways to reduce energy waste in homes and steps people can take individually, and used social media to reach out to the public.
The Fantastic Five from Tates Creek High, led by adviser Catherina Sammons, include Rachel Bixler, Joyia Burris, Isabella Morales, Morgan Boaz and Katie Sandford. They took a close look at how the toxins in cigarette smoke affect their community, generated an antismoking campaign at school that yielded a popular “nonsmoking” pledge, and marketed their message with posters and presentations at local middle schools.
The Heater Beaters from SCAPA, led by adviser Ashlie Arkwright, include B.J. Resultay, Olivia Peppiatt, Ashley Prigge, Taylor Trapp, Ava Cullen, Kennedy Comer and Tay Rothwell. They were concerned about the environmental impacts of home heating, and their research indicated that lowering a thermostat 2o F during the winter months can prevent 500 pounds of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere. This team encouraged SCAPA parents and students to wear more layers and use more blankets instead of turning up their thermostats. They leveraged social media, aired an original commercial on the school’s morning news, and demonstrated how to make door-draft stoppers from pipe insulation donated by a local business.
SCAPA’s No Heat Ninjas, also guided by Arkwright, include Trace Queen, Williams Atkinson, Katie Demos, Jackson Becker, Serena Male, Sarah Yohe, Vanessa Meliksetyan and Aidan Dunn. They learned that appliances emit high levels of carbon dioxide, which is a contributing factor in global climate change, so they encouraged people to eat cold meals one day a week in order to reduce their carbon footprint by as much as 30 percent. The team spoke at a local elementary school’s Science Night and used social media to spread their message. They also hosted a schoolwide event that persuaded 46 percent of students to eat one heatless meal that week; many also pledged to continue the effort.
The Final Challenge ends Feb. 23. Eight first-place teams will receive $15,000 each, while two grand prize winners will net $30,000 apiece. For more details, visit http://lexus.scholastic.com/.
Did you know?
In 2012, the One Towel Wonders from SCAPA earned one of the national grand prizes.