Lexus is launching a new installment of its Lexus Eco Challenge, designed to empower the younger generation to partake in making the world a better place to live through technology. The auto giant is encouraging teams of American school students in grades 6–12 to submit their STEM-driven submissions that potentially can help tackle Land/Water or Air/Climate issues. The entrants will be competing for a chance to win a share of $500,000 in grants and scholarships.

The competition integrates with the school curriculum. As part of the competition, Lexus provides standards-based supplementary materials designed by Scholastic to encourage teachers to integrate creative lesson plans into their classrooms and educate students about the environment. Teams can join the competition during one of the two challenges. The first one, dedicated to Land&Water, is open from August 26 through October 7he second one themed around Air&Climate will be running from October 14 through November 11.

The jury will select 32 winners of the two contests (16 for each), and each of the teams will get $10,000. Then, these teams will enter the final round of the Lexus Eco Challenge 2013-2014 competition to win the grand prize, $30K for both the winning middle school and high school teams. Eight first place winners will walk away with $15K each. The money will be distributed among the students, teacher advisors for purchasing school-related supplies, the winning team’s school (for public and accredited private school teams), and to the local environmental charity, teacher advisor for further educational indicatives, and to students in scholarships (for homes schooled teams). Winners will be announced in early 2014.

Since the Lexus Eco Challenge launched in 2007, Lexus has distributed more than $4 million in scholarships and grants and attracted over 25,000 students to participate in the program.

“We’re pleased to see the Lexus Eco Challenge helps inspire teens to improve the world around them. It further opens their eyes to environmental issues in their communities and gives them the experience and confidence to take action to improve those issues,” commented Jeff Bracken, Lexus group vice president and general manager.