Recently the Walt Disney Company, in collaboration with the National Science Teachers Association, announced the nationwide launch of Disney’s Planet Challenge, a project-based environmental competition for fourth through sixth grade classrooms. The cross-curricular program empowers classrooms to make a difference in their homes, schools, and communities and prompts students to think and act responsibly toward the environment while fostering teamwork, problem solving skills, and lifetime love for learning.

Registration for the competition closes December 18, 2009. Registered teams then have until February 26, 2010 to complete their project portfolios.

The grand prize–winning classroom will win a three-day trip to the Disneyland® Resort May 6–8, 2010, a chance to meet a Disney Channel star, and the class and its winning project may be featured on the Disney Channel. Up to 55 classrooms will win additional prizes, including $1,000-2,500 grants, Disney DVDs, student eco-friendly prize packs and more. Prizes from NSTA include a one-year membership to the teacher/coach of each winning team, and an expense-paid trip to NSTA’s 2011 National Conference on Science Education in San Francisco for the grand prize–winning teacher/coach where he or she will be recognized at a special banquet and awards ceremony.

For more information about Disney’s Planet Challenge or to register for the competition, visit www.Disney.com/planetchallenge.