The Edison Challenge is an exciting way for teams of teachers and students in grades 6-12 to explore environmental science. This science competition, created by Edison International and the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, also offers a series of professional-development science workshops for participating teachers.
Teams consisting of one teacher and six students from the same school will create environmental science projects to compete for great prizes. There are two competition levels, one for middle school (grades 6-8) and one for high school (grades 9-12).
Teachers who register for the team competition will be invited to attend a series of workshops that will focus on environmental science and will take place within the district regions as well as on Catalina Island.
Potential registrants must be in Edison's service territory. If you are, sign up to take the Edison Challenge!
Please visit Edison's Challenge site: www.sce.com/edisonchallenge/
Click HERE to watch a video about the Edison Challenge student competition
What’s in it for me?
First-place teams win a whole week at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center on beautiful Catalina Island, filled with science, snorkeling and kayaking!
Second-place teams win a four day field study expedition to Edison’s Big Creek Hydroelectric facility in the natural and secluded setting within the Sierra Nevada Mountains!
Teachers from the top five teams will receive a cash prize for classroom supplies or professional development.
Teachers that participate in the science workshops will also receive a stipend for each workshop attended (or service credits may be available).
What’s the competition about?
The competition will consist of projects based on the theme of “Energy and the Environment.”
The Edison Challenge project components will include:
A new science lesson plan for younger students
A community service project
A proposal for a research project (high school only)
A creative presentation documenting one of the project activities (poster or multimedia video)
A written portfolio of all the project activities.
Your project should focus on one or more of the following environmental sciences:
Energy transfer - How is energy transferred through wind, ocean currents, or water cycles?
Energy conservation and energy efficiency - Why is this important, and what are some news ways we can conserve?
Environmental protection and sustainability - What can we do to protect natural habitats and endangered species? What is global warming and what can we do about it?
Renewable energy resources - What are the benefits of hydroelectric, natural gas, solar, wind, and nuclear energy?
Air and water quality - What affects the quality of our air and water, and what are your ideas to improve this quality?
Alternative transportation - What are the benefits of electric and biodiesel vehicles? What other alternative fuels are available?
For a detailed description of the required project components and more project topic ideas, click here.
NOTE: K-12 teachers within eligible schools not registered with a team will also be invited to attend the science workshops if space is available. Click here for more information.
Vanessa Knutson
Edison Challenge Program
USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies
3616 Trousdale Parkway, AHF 410
Los Angeles CA 90089
(213) 821-3924
The Edison Challenge is an exciting way for teams of teachers and students in grades 6-12 to explore environmental science. This science competition, created by Edison International and the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, also offers a series of professional-development science workshops for participating teachers. 
