Earthwatch, a non-profit environmental organization based in Water-town, announced last week a sweep-stakes contest co-sponsored with Soho Beverages which is intended to promote awareness of environmental issues.

M. Blue Magruder '69, Earthwatch's director of public affairs, said yesterday the competition asks students from Harvard and five other schools to suggest solutions to the Earth's environmental problems, and simultaneously allows Soho Beverages to advertise its products and show its commitment to the environment.

"Earthwatch has been an active participant in its local campuses for years," Magruder said.

The entry forms, which have been distributed on flyers publicizing the contest, ask basic environmental questions which take very little time to answer and are intended to be humorous and obvious, Magruder said.

The questionnaire is expected to arouse student interest and encourage them to fill out the forms, she said. In the process, students get a sense of how much basic knowledge they have about environmental issues.

Magruder said she hopes the six universities involved will be prototypes for other universities.

Magruder said Soho has donated the funds for the Earthwatch Prizes. The grand prize is a "water-related" Earthwatch expedition to one of 20 destinations around the world. It is worth $1,800 to $4,000 for the student's summer project and $2,200 for airfare. Other prizes include backpacks, watches and Soho natural soda products.