The 2022 Eco Challenge is open to all Reef Guardian Schools and schools round the world!
Challenge Overview
The new Reef Guardian Schools Eco Challenge aims to build student capacity for eco-entrepreneurship, inquiry learning, real-world problem solving, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) innovation.
The focus of the challenge is for students to explore the current and future issues facing the Great Barrier Reef and its connected ecosystems, and work together to develop an eco-friendly idea that could help protect the Reef for future generations. It could be a sustainable product, service, app, or technology for use in your school, home, or local community. Students will work in teams consisting of two to four people and will prepare a two-minute video pitch to explain how their business idea will help address the issue they have identified. Teams can only submit one video pitch.
The Challenge:
The Reef Authority is seeking support from a new eco-friendly business to help address an environmental issue facing the Great Barrier Reef. In teams of 2 to 4 students, you will need to:
1) Research a current issue relating to the Great Barrier Reef
2) Use your STEAM skills to identify a possible solution to the issue
3) Prepare a 2-minute video pitch to explain how your eco-friendly business idea will help address the issue
4) Upload your video to YouTube, Vimeo, or your school's social media page and email the link to reefguardians@gbrmpa.gov.au
Throughout the challenge, registered teams will get the chance to attend a virtual presentation by an Australian entrepreneur to learn how they turned their idea into a successful eco-friendly business.
Teachers and Home-school parents, register your student teams today - https://forms.office.com/r/ABcqpkRm2c. Once registered, you will be emailed the Eco Challenge Handbook which includes fantastic resources to inspire your budding eco-entrepreneurs.
You can access the Eco Challenge Handbook - https://bit.ly/3S8HKmP
Key Dates:
Challenge starts: Monday 15 August 2022
Challenge ends: Monday 31 October 2022, 4:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time
Cost:
Free for all teams to enter.
Winning Entries:
Winners will be announced the week after the submission deadline. Teachers/Homeschool educators from the winning submissions will be notified by phone and/or email. The winning submissions will appear on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Facebook and Reef Guardian Schools Educator Network Facebook page.
A regional winner will be selected by a panel of experts from Reef Guardian Councils and will receive a free virtual learning experience session for their class, a certificate, and a prize pack. The overall winner will then be selected by the Reef Authority’s Chief Scientist and receive a School Solar Buddy Class Pack, a free virtual learning experience, a certificate, and a prize pack of existing Reef Authority collateral.
Check out the handbook for tips and ideas on how to get students started and thinking through their ideas! We are excited to see all the creative and innovative ideas!