West Middle School students’ project to reduce plastic in the cafeteria by making edible utensils won a $10,000 first prize in the air & climate category of the Scholastic Lexus Eco Challenge.
Of the winnings, $7,000 will be split evenly among team members, $2,000 will go toward the school’s science program and $1,000 will be split by advisers Justin Vande Pol and Ben Lacey.
Because of their win, the team is invited to participate in the contest’s final challenge: “Battle of the Winners.” They are brainstorming a new project that addresses an ecological issue, Vande Pol said.
The contest awards 16 prizes of $10,000. For the final challenge, two $30,000 grand prizes and eight $15,000 first-place prizes will be awarded.
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