SILVER SPRING, Md.,
April 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A
short video message from teens to their peers to encourage safe
driving habits might be all that is needed to avoid dangerous
driving situations. That is the premise behind the Toyota
TeenDrive365 Video Challenge, which drew more than 1,300 entries
from students across the country.
Toyota and Discovery Education invite the public to watch the
ten finalist videos at
teendrive365inschool.com/teens/video-challenge and VOTE for
their favorite winner through April 24,
2018. This year's top ten finalists come from Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New
York, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Texas and Utah.
"Through these creative videos – some amusing and others more
serious in tone – students help inspire safe driving habits," said
Al Smith, group vice president,
Toyota Social Innovation. "Every year, we are amazed by the vast
array of videos that students create and we thank them all for
their submissions."
In addition to the People's Choice winner, several other
prize winners will be chosen by a panel of judges comprised of
community leaders, educators, communications experts and Toyota
representatives. The first-place winner will receive $15,000 and the opportunity to work with a
Discovery film crew to transform their video into a TV-ready PSA
that will then air on a variety of Discovery, Inc. networks.
"We applaud Toyota's leadership in amplifying the national
conversation about driver safety in schools – the power of
peer-to-peer influence is effective and we know that immersive
educational experiences work," Lori
McFarling, senior vice president and chief marketing
officer. "Discovery Education is proud to partner with Toyota to
address this critical need and to inspire teens to make smart
choices behind the wheel."
Last year's grand prize went to Emi O. and Summer K. of
Millington, Tennessee. Their video
featured a safe-driving medley that communicated vital driving
tips, including cautions about the dangers of texting and driving,
the necessity to focus on the road while in motion and the
importance of wearing seatbelts. The re-created PSA can be viewed
HERE.
The full list of TeenDrive365 Video
Challenge prizes include:
- Grand Prize: $15,000 and
the chance to work with a Discovery, Inc. film crew to reshoot the
winning video as a TV-ready PSA;
- Second place prize: $10,000 scholarship;
- Third place prize: $7,500
scholarship;
- Fourth to tenth place prizes: Each receives $2,500 scholarship;
- Four regional prizes: Each receives $1,000 scholarship;
- People's Choice prize: $5,000 and a behind-the-scenes trip to a
Discovery, Inc. network taping.
Visit TeenDrive365InSchool.com to learn more about the annual
Teen Video Challenge to help promote safe teen driving. For
more information about the TeenDrive365 Video Challenge or
to watch winning videos from the 2016-2017 challenge, visit
TeenDrive365InSchool.com or click HERE.
About TeenDrive365
TeenDrive365 is a comprehensive program designed by
Toyota and Discovery Education to help teens avoid distractions and
stay safe behind the wheel. The initiative offers a range of
content, tools and resources designed specifically for educators
and teens. Available at no cost to classrooms nationwide, these
resources include: standards-aligned lesson plans for grades 9-12;
activities that teach appropriate behaviors for young drivers and
passengers; Heads Up! – an Interactive Road Distraction
Challenge that allows teens to virtually experience some of the
dangers of distracted driving; and a collection of online events,
tools and social media elements that underscore how teens can make
a difference by driving safely.
CONTACTS:
Charmion N. Kinder
Discovery Education
charmion_kinder@discovery.com
240-274-2173 phone
Matthew Sheldon
TMNA, Social Innovation
matthew.sheldon@toyota.com
469.292.3039 phone
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America