Tates Creek High team to compete in Eco Challenge finals

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – A group from Tates Creek High School has advanced to the 32-team final round of the 2016 Lexus Eco Challenge, a national contest for grades 6-12 built on environmental issues and practical solutions. With their first-round success in the land/water division, “Let’s Go Batty” secured a $10,000 prize for their team and their school.

Led by adviser Catherina Sammons, students Joyia Burrus, Isabella Morales, Katie Sandford, Morgan Boaz, and Abby Watkins researched the effects of bats on Lexington’s ecosystem and developed a plan to help increase their population. They built bat houses to put up in Veterans Park by partnering with LFUCG’s Division of Parks and Recreation. “The naturalists have been seeking ways to raise community awareness regarding bats and were quite excited by our outreach presentations,” Sammons said. “They also helped us select trees where the bats could utilize our houses, including a tree on the main trail where visitors are able to see the bat house, too.”

The Tates Creek team presented their findings to about 300 middle schoolers in the community and to some 100 youth at the county’s 4-H environmental camp.

Results of the Eco Challenge’s air/climate contest will be announced soon, and the Final Challenge ends Feb. 19. Eight first-place teams will receive $15,000 apiece, while two grand prize winners (middle and high school) will net $30,000 each.