Media characterizations of teens and youth tend to cast them in a spoiled and apathetic light. But in survey after survey, young people continually express concerns on a variety of topics, not the least of which is the environment. Yet despite the clear interest, traditional high school curriculums do little to engage environmental topics, outside sparse coverage in biology or earth science courses.

Aiming to correct this divergence between enthusiasm and eduction, without stressing school budgets, the National Environmental Education Foundation has teamed up the the Weather Channel to create the somewhat obtusely-named National High School Challenge.

The idea is to inspire teachers in other subjects to create bold lesson plans that delve deeply into environmental topics, all while fitting with in the curriculum of an existing course or combination of subject ares. The contest sponsors will then dole out funding of $5,000 to $10,000 to bring the new plans to life.

The competition will accept entries through June 20th, with winners announced sometime in August.