Thanksgiving Point

CHALLENGEExplore, Create, Observe the Natural World

WHAT IS E.C.O. CHALLENGE?

• Inspire students’ critical-thinking skills and civic engagement.

• Connect to a network of educational resources and hands-on learning opportunities.

• Showcase your students’ abilities to local industry and agency.

• Win prizes and recognition for both student and school achievement.

Why participate?

Receive AwardsThe average top scoring high school will receive the 2017-2018 E.C.O. Challenge Award. Participating students and teachers also receive E.C.O. Challenge T-shirts (featuring the winning design of the T-shirt Design Challenge). The three top average scoring schools are awarded $1,000 (1st), $500 (2nd), and $250 (3rd) to support environmental programs and initiatives at their school.

How do I participate?• Submit a school registration form to Thanksgiving Point thanksgivingpoint.org/eco-challenge-registration-page.

• Provide opportunities throughout the year for your students to complete their entries.

Thanksgiving Point’s Explore, Create, Observe (E.C.O.) Challenge is a STEM program that invites high school students to address real world environmental challenges on both a local and global scale. In the fall, students attend a career day to meet professionals working in science and engineering careers from state agencies, industry, and non-profit organizations. Teens learn the needs of these groups related to the challenge and spend the next several months designing and prototyping solutions in a way that makes sense to them. From producing short films to inventions that aid in conservation, students select unique and authentic ways to contribute their ideas and solutions. Prizes are awarded to help schools provide real world environmental science programs in the coming year. We invite you to participate and join the E.C.O. Challenge!

CONTACT Our staff is available to answer questions and provide assistance if needed. Contact us at challenge@thanksgivingpoint.org or by calling 801.768.4971.

Made possible through generous donations from:

COOKING WITH LOCAL FOODSThe Challenge: Water ConservationEntries due: March 23, 2018

Two thirds of the water usage in Utah goes towards crops and growing different foods. However, Utah is the second driest state in the nation, which is concerning when it comes to local foods. Because water is a precious but limited resource, water-wise gardening could help with the this impending issue. Use at least 2 local ingredient to create a recipe. Provide a copy of the recipe and a typed essay (300-500 words) explaining each of the ingredients, why it was used in your recipe, and how we can conserve water in the garden. Original recipes will be given higher consideration. Please prepare enough of the dish for 4-6 people to have a small sample.

INVENTIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTThe Challenge: UpcyclingEntries due: March 23, 2018

Don’t throw something away if there is still some value to it. Upcycling prevents materials from heading to the landfill. Fabricate an invention that will improve the environment using upcycled materials. Only you have the solution. Inventions should include sketches, actual/physical prototypes and include a short essay (300-500 words) explaining how your invention aids in lowering the amount of waste we send to the landfill.

COMMUNITY PROJECTThe Challenge: Carbon FootprintEntries due: March 23, 2018

Carbon footprint is the CO2 released due to human usage of fossil fuels. Measure your carbon footprint as a group at your school and find ways to improve your impact on Earth. Using that data, design and implement a program at your school or in your community that will decrease your carbon footprint. Write the steps you took to measure, plan and implement your project at your school or in your community. Explain why you chose your project and what impact it had on the people involved. Create a poster to present your work.

FASHION/ACCESSORIESThe Challenge: Water QualityEntries due: March 23, 2018

Explore how the fashion industry is a major contributor to the current issue of water pollution. Design a fashion piece or accessory from upcycled products that shares the message of water pollution and calls people to action. An outfit must include at least one item of clothing. Acceptable accessories include bags, jewelry, etc. Entries must include a short essay (300-500 words) that describes why you chose certain repurposed materials and the importance of the fashion industry keeping our waters clean.

GAMES TO PLAYThe Challenge: Invasive Species - Insect EditionEntries due: March 23, 2018

Invasive species, like the Emerald Ash Borers and Asian Longhorn Beetle, tend to spread rapidly and overpower native species. This causes damage to the original environment, human economy and human health. Design a game that addresses the issues surrounding an invasive insect species currently near or in Utah. Must be able to play and demonstrate game during ECO Challenge event day. Entries must include a short essay (300-500 words) explaining the game, the rules, and how it teaches and informs on invasive species.

T-SHIRT DESIGNThe Challenge: Utah’s Endangered SpeciesEntries due: March 23, 2018

The state of Utah is known for some of the most unique and diverse species in the plant and animal world. Unfortunately, over 20 species are currently endangered. Create a t-shirt that raises awareness of one or more Utah endangered species, highlighting how we can make a difference in preserving them. As part of the entry, submit a short essay (300-500 words) that describes your endangered species, its role in the environment, and how we can protect them.

VISUAL ARTSThe Challenge: The Great Salt LakeEntries due: March 23, 2018

We have the eighth-largest terminal lake in the world right here in our backyard! The Great Salt Lake is one of our most important economic resources as well as an essential home for many diverse species. Due to drought, overuse of water, and pollution, we aren’t able to utilize most of the resources this lake has to offer. Create an art piece that showcases the beauty and importance of the Great Salt Lake and/or ecosystems near you that are tied to the Great Salt Lake. Entries must include a short essay (300-500 words) describing why you chose to highlight that certain area and how it relates to the significance of the Great Salt Lake.

PERFORMANCEThe Challenge: Air QualityEntries due: March 23, 2018

Salt Lake, Provo, and Logan consistently rank in the top ten U.S. worst cities in air pollution year after year. Polluted air affects the environment, animal species, and ultimately short-term and long-term human health. Create a performance that creates community awareness and/or highlights some of the solutions to the air quality issues we face in Utah. Examples include writing and performing a song, doing a dance, writing a poem, etc. The piece should reflect your thoughts, feelings, awareness and solutions about Utah’s air quality issues and each performance must be accompanied by an essay (300-500 words) explaining the performance and how it relates to this topic.

SHORT FILMThe Challenge: Biofuels and Alternative EnergyEntries due: March 23, 2018

If we want to keep up the lifestyle we have now we MUST look into and adopt renewable energy resources such as biofuels. Films can be a strong and powerful way to get a message across. Make a short film about biofuels, how they are developed and how we can use them in place of fossil fuels. Videos must be between 2-4 minutes. No essay is required for this entry.

Guidelines• Must include sketches and prototype

• 300-500 word essay must be submitted.

• Picture of prototype must be submitted with essay entry

Guidelines• Must include sketches and prototype

• 300-500 word essay must be submitted.

• Picture of prototype must be submitted with essay entry

Guidelines• Do not dye or paint materials

• Submit a description of the outfit/accessory and designer to be read by emcee during fashion show

• All entries must be appropriate for family auciences

• 300-500 word essay must be submitted

• Picture of fashion item must be submitted with essay entry

Guidelines• Physical or digital game and instructions must be submitted

• 300–500 word typed essay must be submitted

• Picture of game must be submitted with essay

Guidelines• Design must be for the front OR back of shirt, judges will determine placement

• One color design with “ECO Challenge at Thanksgiving Point 2017-2018

• Produced by hand or digitally, not exceeding 8 1/2 x 11

• 300-500 word essay must be submitted include a picture of design with essay entry

Guidelines• 300–500 word essay must be submitted

• Pictures of paintings, pictures, sketches, etc. must be submitted with essayGuidelines

• All disciplines welcome including vocals, instrumentals, spoken word, dance, acting, comedy etc.

• 300-500 word essay must be submitted

• All performances must be submitted digitally and submitted through a link (YouTube upload)

• Microphones, speakers and audio players will be provided on day of performance

Guidelines• Video must be between 2–4 minutes

• All videos must be submitted digitally and submitted through a link (YouTube upload)

• No essay is required for this challenge

Guidelines• 300-500 word essay must be submitted along with recipe

• Entrees will be judged the day of. Plates, bowls, serving utensils WILL NOT be provided

• Must include 2 water wise and 2 local ingredients in recipe

• No access to kitchen for meal prep but access to microwave will be available upon request

Project Entry Due Date Event Date Group/IndividualMax. entriesper school

Max. pointsper entry

Max. Pointsper school

Green Careers Day September 1, 2017 September 21, 2017 Group

Community Project March 23, 2018 April 12, 2018 Group 1 300 300

T-Shirt Design March 2, 2018 April 12, 2018 Individual 5 100 500

Performance March 23, 2018 April 12, 2018 Group/Individual 5 100 500

Recycle Fashion March 23, 2018 April 12, 2018 Group/Individual 5 100 500

Recycle Accessory March 23, 2018 April 12, 2018 Group/Individual 5 100 500

Games to Play March 23, 2018 April 12, 2018 Group/Individual 5 100 500

Short Film March 23, 2018 April 12, 2018 Group/Individual 5 100 500

Invention for the Environment March 23, 2018 April 12, 2018 Group/Individual 5 100 500

Cooking with Local Foods March 23, 2018 April 12, 2018 Group/Individual 5 100 500

Visual Arts March 23, 2018 April 12, 2018 Individual 5 100 500

Please note, that all entries and forms may be submitted anytime before each due date if desired.

Challenge options: at a glance