A Victorian primary school has won $1000, by successfully participating in an environmental education program which is raising awareness in schools about the Greenhouse Effect.

Hawthorn West primary school in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs was awarded the prize money for winning the Parent’s Quiz competition.

Students asked their parents a range of questions relating to the earth’s atmosphere and analysed the results to gauge their level of understanding.

This quiz was part of the Our Endangered Sky education kit distributed on request to primary schools by the Foster Foundation, an environmental educational organisation.

Launched as part of Carbon Awareness Day 2000 in June, the kit was sponsored by Toyota Australia.

Nearly 27,000 children and over 600 teachers across Australia have used the kit to carry out environmental awareness activities.

It includes a 16-page activity booklet on the greenhouse effect, a magnetic "How Green are You?" ready reckoner to analyse energy efficiency in the home, and instructions on how to make an environmental kite.

Executive vice-president of Toyota Australia, Ray Brown, said the company was committed to developing technologies which reduce the impact of cars on the environment and to improving awareness about the need to care for the environment.

"We are proud to support the Foster Foundation in its educational program to empower children and adults to make a difference," he said.

Foster Foundation director Glenys Foster said the Foundation was working to educate both children and adults about the carbon cycle and climate change.

She said that there were many ways in which individuals and local community groups could take positive action to reduce environmental impacts.

A free Our Endangered Sky kit can be obtained by emailing glenys@foster-foundation.com.au.