The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has issued a call for entries for its annual Take Care of Texas Video Contest. The contest is open to high school and middle school students, regardless of whether they attend public or private schools or are homeschooled.

According to a September 9 press release issued by TCEQ, the contest encourages youth to learn about protecting the environment and share what they discover in a short video.

Up to $2,500 in scholarships will be awarded to three high school students, while three middle school students will earn gift cards ranging from $400 to $800 for camera gear, courtesy of Waste Management of Texas, the release said.

Contest criteria dictate that participants must create videos that are 30 seconds long with a focus on how Texans can keep the air and water clean, conserve water and energy, or reduce waste. The videos must include the slogan "Take Care of Texas. It’s the only one we’ve got."

For more contest requirements, visit https://takecareoftexas.org/education/take-care-texas-video-contest.

Entries must be submitted by December 6, 2024. They will be voted on by the public from January 15 until January 24, 2025. A panel of TCEQ staff and representatives from Waste Management will choose from a field of selected videos.

The winners will be announced by the end of February and will have the opportunity to attend the annual Texas Environmental Excellence Awards banquet in June 2025.