They went for the green and won the gold, so to speak.

Four students from Hampton High School captured the grand prize at last night's C.A.U.S.E. Challenge High School Film Festival. The competition, now in its fourth year, honored seniors Ben Kepner, Dylan Morris, Benjamin Swanson and freshman Andrew Benton for their imaginative entry called "A Greener Cleaner Choice."

In their mini-adventure, a girl sends three teenage boys on a quest to find alternative energy sources, and they debate the pros and cons of wind, hydroelectric and nuclear power in a style one sponsor calls "The Matrix meets Harry Potter."

As the grand prize winners, they shared a $1,000 cash prize and each received a digital video camera and case, voucher for a class at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, director's chair, Carnegie Science Center passes and Three Rivers Film Festival tickets.

Hampton High School took home $1,500 to support its science and media programs and a trophy for its award display case.

Other winners, each of whom received $300, a director's chair, Science Center passes, film festival tickets and $1,500 check and trophy for their schools:

• Pittsburgh 250 Award: "Step by Step," Patrick Tutka, St. Joseph High School.

• Narrative Award: "Stop Waiting for the World to Change," Austin Wright, Mt. Lebanon High School.

• Documentary Award: "Living on the Riverfront," Jessica Johnson, Quaker Valley High School.

• Communicating Science Award: "We Have the Sun," David Korotky, Moon Area High School.

• Abstract Award: "Silent Cities," David Korotky (a rare double winner), Moon Area High School.

The Carnegie Science Center literally rolled out the red carpet for the awards ceremony and event sponsored by the center's SciTech Initiative, Bayer Corp. and Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

In its fourth year, the C.A.U.S.E. (Creating Awareness and Understanding of our Surrounding Environment) Challenge attracted a record 29 films from 47 students at 16 regional high schools. It invited students, either individually or in teams of up to four, to write, produce and edit a film or video on the theme "Mutual Impact: The Environment and You."

Entries could be no more than five minutes long and judges chose the winners based on message, ability to deliver the message, connection to the Pittsburgh region, use of available technology, creativity and research.