Georgia Students Encouraged to Get Creative for Cleaner Air

ATLANTA – January 10, 2014 - The Clean Air Campaign is calling on Georgia students to be heroes and lead the way for cleaner air during the fourth annual Young Lungs at Work art competition. 

Guided by the theme “Clean Air Heroes,” students are invited to create authentic artwork that illustrates the positive impact that actions such as riding the bus, turning off an idling car engine or carpooling to school with a friend can have on Georgia’s air quality.

Elementary school students will once again enter the contest by creating original comic strips on this year’s theme. For the first time since the inception of the contest, middle school students will have the opportunity to create their own public service announcement video that incorporates messaging around the benefits of reducing air pollution and traffic congestion. Once again, high school students will compete separately in a T-shirt design contest. T-shirts may include powerful imagery, catchy slogans and humor, but must address reducing air pollution that comes from vehicle’s tailpipes.

All winning entries will be featured on The Clean Air Campaign’s website, social media channels and printed materials — showing off the winner’s talent to tens of thousands of Georgians. Donations will also be made to each winner’s school science, environmental or art program. In addition, winning T-shirt designs from the high school category will be printed and provided to first, second and third place winners.

“Students are in a unique position in that they can influence behavior change among peers and adults in their community,” said Gretchen Gigley, director of education for The Clean Air Campaign. “This contest is a great opportunity for students to discuss the benefits of carpooling, walking to school and not idling in the carpool lane in a fun and informative way. I am looking forward to what our future leaders come up with this year.”

Clean Air Schools programs encourage students to take the lead in reducing air pollution in school zones across Georgia. Through action-based projects designed to change commuting behavior, more than 300 Georgia schools each year work  with Clean Air Schools to reduce idling, promote carpooling, increase bus ridership and engage in countless other actions to educate about the benefits of cleaner air and create cleaner, healthier schools and communities.

The Young Lungs at Work Art Competition is open to all students statewide and is a great way for students whose schools are registered for the 2013-2014 Clean Air Schools program to get even more engaged.  This year, for the first time, schools can use the art competition to qualify as a Clean Air School at the two-star level. Schools interested in becoming Clean Air Schools via the art competition must show significant student participation in the contest and fill out the Clean Air Schools registration form.

Interested teachers, parents and students are encouraged to visit CleanAirCampaign.org or email schools@cleanaircampaign.org to learn about entry requirements and additional contest details. Comic strips, public service announcements and t-shirt design submissions must be received by Feb. 28, 2014. A panel of judges will select first, second and third place winners, along with any honorable mentions. Winners will be announced in early April.

Georgia schools or parents interested in joining the Clean Air Schools program can visit CleanAirCampaign.org/Schools.  For exclusive information about The Clean Air Campaign, follow @CleanAirGa on Twitter and find The Clean Air Campaign on Facebook at Facebook.com/CleanAirCampaign.

About The Clean Air Campaign

The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that works with Georgia employers, commuters and K-12 schools to encourage actions that result in better air quality and less traffic congestion. The Clean Air Campaign, along with its partner organizations, facilitates Georgia Commute Options, a program that helps employers and commuters choose alternatives to driving alone. Through its Clean Air Schools program, the non-profit also empowers students, parents and teachers to play a positive role in reducing traffic and improving air quality through an action-oriented education program. The Clean Air Campaign also protects public health by distributing Smog Alert notifications. In conducting these programs, The Clean Air Campaign works in partnership with The Georgia Department of Transportation.

For more information, call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624) or visit CleanAirCampaign.org.