Classrooms across Canada are once again gearing up for the Classroom Energy Diet Challenge, presented by Canadian Geographic Education and Shell Canada.

The 2013 competition is aiming to build on the success of last year’s Challenge, which saw many teachers report an increase in their classes’ levels of energy awareness.

The Challenge involves spreading energy awareness in the community, calculating classroom energy use, thinking of ways to create renewable energy and trying to reduce personal energy consumption. The class video contest element has also returned this year and entries will be put to the test twice — once by public voting and once by a panel of judges — to determine which video best addresses the importance of youth energy awareness.

Under a new point system, classes can earn 5, 10 or 15 points for each activity they complete, based on the level of difficulty or involvement required. Once Challenge classrooms earn 30 points or more, they are entered in the grand prize draw for the chance to win a set of iPads.

Contest registration closes Jan. 20, 2013. Kindergarten through grade-12 classes are eligible to compete. For more information, visit energydiet.canadiangeographic.ca.