Every entry makes a world of difference
Every student who enters the Shane McConkey EcoChallenge is a winner because they have thought critically and creatively about their environment and taken an action to make a difference. From upcycled art projects to beach cleanups; composting initiatives to banning styrofoam in their cafetierias; our EcoChallengers have done some wonderful things. What will you do?
Congratulations 2026 EcoChallenge Winners!
The Shane McConkey EcoChallenge empowers students around the world to identify environmental challenges in their communities and create innovative, action-oriented solutions. This year’s submissions showcased extraordinary creativity, scientific research, community leadership, and environmental stewardship from students of all ages.
From renewable energy innovation and habitat restoration to textile waste reduction and climate education, these student-led projects are proof that the next generation is already shaping a more sustainable future.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 EcoChallenge entrants, winners and honorable mentions. You are all making inspiring change for our planet!
Extreme Winners
Participants: Arya Gurumukhi
Team Advisor: Amanda Miller
The Bionic Leaf project tackled global energy insecurity and climate change by developing a renewable fuel system inspired by photosynthesis. Using bacteria, sunlight, water, and specially engineered catalysts, the project created a sustainable method for producing alcohol-based fuel without relying on fossil fuels. Arya spent more than two years refining the technology through extensive laboratory testing and over 100 prototype iterations. The project is now being tested in more than 15 communities and has also reached thousands of students through STEM workshops and environmental education efforts. The Bionic Leaf stood out for its scientific complexity, innovation, scalability, and potential real-world impact.
Participants: Arush Shangari
Team Advisor: Danielle Poché
Project IRIS (Integrated River Intelligence System) is an AI-powered early warning and flood prediction tool that currently achieves 98.08% model accuracy and is being integrated through the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA), with expansion efforts underway across the United States. Arush has dedicated over 400 volunteer hours to field research, measuring water turbidity weekly, and collaboration with watershed organizations to make this tool publicly accessible. He has also attended town meetings and conducted several interviews to ensure the project was built around the needs of local decision-makers. He built an app with 24–72 hour emergency alerts, helping improve disaster response times by notifying town officials.
Participants: Sophia Yuan
Team Advisor: Wenli Chen
Clean Choices Together focused on helping communities better understand how individual daily decisions contribute to larger environmental challenges. Inspired by observations made while spending time outdoors, the project encouraged more sustainable consumer behaviors and environmental awareness through education, outreach, and community engagement. The project emphasized that small changes in personal habits can collectively create significant environmental impact.
Participants: Matthew Kwon
Team Advisor: Richard Perl
The TerraCycle Student Ambassador Program focused on reducing waste through recycling education, community participation, and sustainable disposal initiatives. The project encouraged students and community members to rethink waste management practices while promoting responsible recycling behaviors and increased environmental awareness.
Participants: Sarina Virmani
Team Advisor: Prathima Setty
Sustainable Spark examined the environmental impact of large-scale data centers and energy consumption within the student’s local community. The project explored how rapidly expanding digital infrastructure contributes to energy demand and environmental strain while encouraging more sustainable technology practices and greater awareness around energy usage.
Participants: Pareena Gupta
Team Advisor: Varupi Gupta
The Sustainability Lens focused on making climate research and environmental information more accessible to the public. The project addressed the challenge of translating complex scientific information into understandable and actionable content for broader audiences. Through communication, education, and environmental storytelling, the project aimed to improve climate literacy and empower communities to engage more effectively with sustainability issues.
Black Diamond Winners
Participants: Nathan Tan, Saketh Chebrolu
Team Advisor: Mary May
Shared Skies Initiative developed an environmental project focused on protecting ecosystems, improving sustainability practices, and strengthening environmental awareness through collaborative action. Their project demonstrated thoughtful research, community engagement, and innovative environmental problem-solving while encouraging broader participation in environmental stewardship efforts.
Participants: Parvathy Gopikrishna
Team Advisor: Parvathy Gopikrishna
WaterWatch Westchester focused on water quality, conservation, and environmental monitoring efforts within their local community. Through research, testing, and public education, the project highlighted the importance of protecting freshwater resources and promoting responsible environmental practices that support long-term ecosystem health.
Participants: Shant Ispendjian, Hyejun Yun, Arman Rostomyan, Nadelina Agopoglu, and Anahit Karapetyan
Team Advisor: Dr. Mindi Schneider
Saving the Sea Organization created a project centered on ocean conservation, marine ecosystem protection, and reducing environmental threats to aquatic life. Their work emphasized the importance of protecting marine environments through awareness campaigns, environmental education, and sustainable action initiatives.
Participants: Marcela de Oliveira Fernandes, Laura Remor
Team Advisor: Rosana Honorato
Abya Yala developed a project focused on environmental sustainability, cultural awareness, and community-based environmental solutions. Through research and advocacy, the team explored the connections between environmental protection, local communities, and long-term sustainability practices.
Blue Square Winners
Participants: Ben Johnson, Sasha Koziol, Eleanor Zdarsky, Elias Persons, Fiona Brenner, Lucy Wiegand, Evelyn Wiegand, Matthew Smolinski, Collin Wojciakowski, Penelope Rubalcado, Juniper Chase, and Adelaide Minor
Team Advisor: Amy Paul
Habitat Creators focused on the growing problem of habitat loss and fragmentation affecting local wildlife populations. The team researched how development and human activity disrupt ecosystems and reduce safe habitat areas for native species. To address the issue, the students implemented habitat restoration efforts designed to support biodiversity and improve ecosystem health within their community. Their project combined scientific research, environmental stewardship, and hands-on restoration work to create meaningful local environmental impact.
Participants: Dorian Lazzara
Team Advisor: Marie Murphy
Dorian Lazzara’s project examined the environmental impact of institutional food systems, specifically focusing on the carbon footprint associated with food production, waste, and distribution. The project explored opportunities for more sustainable food practices and encouraged greater awareness around the environmental consequences of everyday food choices. Through research, education, and community-focused solutions, the project highlighted how schools and institutions can reduce waste and support more sustainable systems.
Participants: Eisley Burdett, Reid Carden, Jaxon McGrew, Sarah Oliphant, Eli Sattler, Annika Cooperlandsverk
Team Advisor: Julia Zimmerman
The A Team focused on the environmental dangers posed by abandoned barbed wire fencing left in natural areas. The students discovered that leftover fencing materials can injure wildlife and create long-term hazards for local ecosystems. Their project involved identifying, removing, and properly disposing of dangerous fencing materials while educating the community about land stewardship and wildlife protection. Through hands-on environmental cleanup efforts, the students directly improved safety for local wildlife and demonstrated strong community leadership.
Participants: Truckee Roundhouse and Mrs. Reid’s 2nd Grade Class at Truckee Elementary
Team Advisor: Mrs. Reid
The Stitch Squad tackled the growing environmental issue of textile waste and fast fashion. The students explored how clothing waste contributes to pollution and excessive landfill accumulation while encouraging more thoughtful and sustainable approaches to fashion and reuse. Through sewing, repurposing materials, and creative reuse projects, the students learned how small actions can reduce waste and extend the life of clothing and fabrics. Their project combined creativity, sustainability education, and practical environmental action at an early age.
Green Circle Winners
Participants: Hayden Saunders, Naiael Ferron, Kavari Brown, Catherine Ferguson, Gina Ding, William Matthews, Julian Moschen, Emily Nguyen, Sue Nguyen, Tyler Nguyen, Kalina Racic, Ally Stone, Pavel Tadic, Charlie Zhao, Ruby Trinh
Team Advisor: Mistie Dickenson
North Cross Trash to Treasure focused on reusing, recycling, and upcycling discarded materials to create an art installation for their school’s International Day festivities. The team explored the environmental impact of waste and consumer culture while demonstrating how creative reuse can reduce landfill waste and inspire community conversations about sustainability. Through collaborative art-making, the students transformed unwanted materials into an engaging educational display that highlighted the importance of environmental responsibility and resource conservation.
Participants: Sienna Hartman, Brisa Morken, Conner Harris
Team Advisor: Kelly Nourse
The Climate Crew developed a student-led environmental project centered on climate awareness, sustainability education, and practical community action. Their work encouraged peers and community members to better understand the environmental challenges facing the planet while promoting realistic ways individuals can reduce their environmental footprint. Through education, outreach, and hands-on environmental action, the team demonstrated leadership and a strong commitment to protecting the future of their community.
Participants: Andrea and Estrella
Team Advisor: Kelly Nourse
Bag it Forward addressed the environmental impact of single-use plastics and fast fashion by encouraging reusable alternatives and more sustainable consumer habits. The team recognized how disposable shopping bags and excessive clothing waste contribute to pollution and landfill overflow. Their project focused on promoting reusable bags, encouraging sustainable shopping behaviors, and raising awareness about the environmental consequences of unnecessary waste. Through community engagement and education, the students inspired others to make more environmentally conscious choices in their everyday lives.
The Shane McConkey EcoChallenge continues to demonstrate the power of youth innovation and environmental leadership. Every student who participated in this year’s program contributed meaningful ideas, research, and action toward building a more sustainable future.
We are incredibly inspired by the creativity, determination, and environmental stewardship shown by all of our participants and look forward to seeing how these young changemakers continue to impact their communities and the world.
Congratulations 2025 EcoChallenge Winners!
Extreme Winners
- 1st A Sustainable Future, Bellvue, WA & Randolph, NJ
- 2nd The Green Spark, Lafayette, CA
- 3rd (tied) Monarchs Matter, Great Neck, NY and Project Super Plants, San Mateo, CA
Black Diamond Winners
- 1st Project Arise, San Diego, CA
- 2nd A Taste of Home, Vienna, VA
- 3rd Sunny Lots, Glendale, CA
Blue Square Winners
- 1st Little Fixers, Big Hearts, Truckee Elementary, Truckee, CA
- 2nd School Service Association (SSA), Glenshire Elementary, Truckee, CA
- 3rd RHS Ecology Club, Roosevelt High School, Fresno, CA
Green Circle Winners
- 1st Eco-Action Club, SWEP, Tahoe City, CA
- 2nd 5th Grade Environmental Rock Band Musical, Truckee Elementary, Truckee, CA
- 3rd Up-Cyclers, SWEP, Truckee, CA
EXTREME 1st Place:
A Sustainable Future
Bellvue, WA & randolph, NJ
Team Members: Carolyn He, Tara Saini, Dhruv Saini
Mission:
Combat irresponsible paper usage in education and empower youth to overcome “activism anxiety” and become confident environmental advocates.
Key Insights:
U.S. schools use 47+ billion sheets of paper annually = 250 trees per high school
Paper industry is the 4th largest greenhouse gas emitter in the U.S.
60% of youth feel climate anxiety, yet only 33% feel confident acting on it
Focus Areas:
Raise awareness about school paper consumption
Encourage school-based policy change and sustainable practices
Support peer-led action to reduce environmental overwhelm and anxiety
EXTREME 2nd Place:
The Green Spark
Lafayette, ca
Team Members: Carter Considine
Mission:
Empowering youth to lead climate solutions through hands-on action, education, and partnerships. Born from a wildfire evacuation experience, the initiative addresses drought, water insecurity, and environmental equity.
Key Insights:
- Clean Water Access: Installed atmospheric water generators and filters in Oakland schools to provide safe drinking water and raise awareness.
- Education First: Built trust through how-to videos and student-led learning to support adoption of new technology.
- Scalable Solutions: Cleaned lakes in CA and IA using non-toxic methods; our film The Value of Water now educates other communities.
- Partnerships Matter: Collaborated with Indigenous leaders, alumni, and global partners to expand impact.
Focus Areas:
- Water in Schools
- Eco-Friendly Lake Cleanups
- Regenerative Farming & Global Knowledge Sharing
EXTREME 3rd Place (tied!):
Monarchs Matter
Great Neck, NY
Team Member: Cynthia Zhang
Monarchs Matter is a youth-led nonprofit tackling biodiversity loss and climate change through the story of the monarch butterfly. Founded in Long Island, NY—along the monarch’s migration path—the project began with a single caterpillar and grew into a movement.
After witnessing a monarch’s metamorphosis, the founder was inspired to act. Monarchs Matter now runs education-to-action programs that help youth and communities restore pollinator habitats, plant natives, and adopt sustainable practices. Its Raise, Tag, and Release Summer Program has engaged 330+ students, produced 1,400+ community science data points, and released over 80 butterflies. The project helped create 14 monarch waystations and partnered with Forests for Monarchs to plant 21,000+ trees in Mexico’s overwintering habitat.
Through global webinars, community workshops, and a step-by-step guide, Monarchs Matter empowers others to start local chapters—proving that a small spark, like a butterfly’s journey, can ignite meaningful change across the world.
EXTREME 3rd Place (tied!):
EXTREME 3rd Place (tied!):
Project Super Plants
San Mateo, CA
Team Member: Harper Fortgang, The Nueva School; Alyssa Tang, Proof School; Clara Hause-Stephenson, Notre Dame High School Belmont; Jade Wen, The Bay School of San Francisco; Timothy Lee, Summit Shasta High School
Project Super Plants empowers elementary and middle school students to combat climate change through hands-on environmental action. Founded by Northern California high schoolers, this initiative teaches carbon sequestration while growing “Super Plants” – native species with deep root systems that capture and store CO2 in soil.
The program features six youth-created videos that make climate science accessible and actionable. Students take concrete steps like writing to City Council, creating school rain gardens, and growing plants in their communities.
Having reached 3,200 students across 45 schools and cultivated 29,000+ Super Plants, the project inspires ongoing environmental activism. By focusing on hope and practical solutions, Project Super Plants transforms young people into active environmental advocates, proving meaningful climate action can start in any classroom.
Black diamond 1st Place:
Project Arise
San Diego, CA
Team: Sophie Zeng
Project ARISE (AI for Restoration, Innovation, Sustainability, and Education) empowers youth to protect the environment using technology. After witnessing the devastation of San Diego wildfires, a high school student discovered that invasive plants—often dry, fast-spreading, and highly flammable—are major yet overlooked wildfire fuels. To break the knowledge barrier around identifying and removing these species, she trained an AI model to recognize California’s most invasive plants with over 90% accuracy, then led a student team to integrate it into a mobile app. Project ARISE now leads hands-on habitat restoration events, community workshops, and biodiversity efforts—like building and donating mason bee houses to promote pollinator health. With over 15,000 lbs of invasive plants removed, 3,500+ people reached, and recognition from Cal-IPC, NCWiT, and local leaders, ARISE is growing fast. Through education, innovation, and action, it proves that environmental change doesn’t just belong to experts—it belongs to everyone.
Black diamond 2nd Place:
A Taste of Home
Vienna, VA
Team: Hunter Guthrie
A Taste of Home is a student-led initiative that fights food waste and hunger by rescuing unsold meals and delivering them to a local shelter. It began when I noticed cafeteria food going to waste in elementary school—and years later, after seeing a food drive flyer near that same school, I decided to act. I started baking for the shelter, but quickly realized the real solution was coordinating surplus food donations from restaurants. Despite being an introvert, I approached managers, successfully partnering with Panera, Chick-fil-A, Crumbl, and local farms. Over four years, I’ve donated 700,000+ meals. I also recruit fellow students through x2vol, and 250+ have volunteered. I raise awareness through school presentations, the Youth Conservation Leadership Institute, and public recognition like the Cox Planet Protector Award, where I directed a $30,000 donation to ReFED. My nonprofit, A Taste of Home, proves that local action can lead to big change.
Black diamond 3rd Place:
Sunny Lots
GLENDALE, CA
Team: Alfred Isagoli, Luke Scherrer, Jayden Tanner
The Envirotech Club dedicated itself to addressing the environmental impacts of globalization through the creation and management of a Greenspace—an ultra high-density urban garden. Specifically targeting the challenges posed by long-distance transportation of food, the Greenspace initiative promotes a model of localized food production and waste reduction. They successfully mobilized over 200 students engaging them in environmental stewardship and hands-on learning as well as implementing sustainable practices like composting, drip irrigation, and the introduction of hydroponics and aquaponics systems, significantly enhancing environmental education and resource efficiency.
Blue square 1st Place
Little helpers, big hearts
Truckee, CA
The Winter Coat Drive and Clothing Repair Event on April 8 at Truckee Elementary showcased the power of student-led environmental action. After researching the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion—from landfill overflow to garment worker conditions—students created Google Slides presentations and became educators, sharing their findings with the entire school. Every class attended, and even those unable to donate or repair a coat engaged meaningfully by learning about sustainable clothing practices. The event also offered hands-on community support: volunteers repaired 48 jackets and snow pants, while students sorted 200 donated winter coats by size for cleaning by Tec Tahoe and donation to Truckee Community Cares. The repair station allowed attendees to witness the power of reuse in action, and the student presentations added depth and purpose. By combining education, service, and sustainability, this event became a vibrant example of how youth can lead meaningful change in their community.
Team Members:
Rafael Aguirre Avila
Valerie A. Bautista Ceja
Franco Bolanos Castillo
Alba J. Cota Alcaraz
Lily A. Dailey
Hunter J. Devlin
Emiliano Diaz Serna
Axel Manuel Gastelum Felix
Tallac A. Hawkins
Vanesa Huizar Martinez
Luka Mora
Arianna Moreno
Axel S. Padilla Salazar
Thiago Rodriguez Luna
Alexandra C Schroeder
Wade L. Steward
Landon M. Troxel
Ivanna Vallin Rodriguez
Abigail J. Zarate
Blue square 2nd Place
school service Association (SSA)
Truckee, CA
What started as a small “Trash Duty” team in 2019 evolved into the School Service Association (SSA)—a student-led force keeping Glenshire Elementary and the surrounding community clean, organized, and eco-aware. After learning about waste issues through SWEP and enduring COVID delays, the group launched in 2021 by sorting lunchroom trash, food waste, and recyclables. With student-made posters and peer training, participation grew, leading to a PTO-funded expansion into “Operation Keep Glenshire Clean,” organizing three Saturday cleanups across Glenshire. SSA created a military-style rank system to stay organized, presented for multiple grants, and even implemented student-led training to recruit future leaders. Their impact has reached beyond campus: flyers posted to Nextdoor got over 4,000 views, and SSA has been recognized by the PTO, featured in a superintendent presentation, and celebrated in local media. As these leaders head to middle school, they’re working hard to pass the torch and keep their legacy alive.
Blue square 3rd Place
RHS Ecology club
fresno, ca
In a brilliant blend of creativity, sustainability, and teamwork, student teams designed and built vertical gardens—affectionately called “Food Skyscrapers”—using recyclable materials to grow fresh produce in unconventional spaces. A total of three dozen gardens were constructed and are now thriving across campus, offering a hands-on solution to food access in urban settings. Each garden features painted artwork with inspiring messages, making them both functional and visually uplifting. Students tackled challenges like hand-watering by developing rotating maintenance schedules, and they’re already planning to expand the project into local neighborhoods to inspire more community-grown food. Along the way, students discovered just how flavorful truly fresh produce can be—and they’re okay with the occasional “taste test” from curious passersby. Harvests are being tracked, and the project continues to teach students the power of local growing, sustainable design, and teamwork. It’s a tasty step toward food justice and environmental action, one vertical garden at a time.
green circle 1st Place
Eco-action club
tahoe city, CA
The Eco-Action Club created “The Trashcade,” a public art installation made from trash collected during underwater cleanups in Lake Tahoe. Through sculpture and education, the project raised awareness about plastic pollution and inspired community conversations, reaching nearly 24,000 people across schools, events, museums, and social media.
GREEN CIRCLE 2nd PLACE
5th grade environmental rock band musical
truckee, CA
Fifth graders at Truckee Elementary created and performed The Environmental Show, a hilarious, musical eco-adventure. With recycled costumes, student-led set design, and catchy songs, the show taught nearly 600 audience members about composting, energy, pollution, and stewardship—blending science, creativity, and teamwork to inspire lasting environmental awareness and action.
GREEN CIRCLE 3rd PLACE
up-cyclers
truckee, ca
To tackle textile waste and fast fashion, our team upcycled 20+ discarded clothing items into 8 stylish new outfits. Through sewing, embroidery, and creative reuse, we showed peers that sustainable fashion can be trendy and accessible—proving that small changes in how we dress can inspire bigger environmental impact.
Congratulations 2024 EcoChallenge Winners!
Extreme Winners
- 1st Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project. IN
- 2nd Waterroots. PA
- 3rd Nicolina’s Turtle Co. IL
Black Diamond Winners
- 1st CrushCarbon Challenge. NY
- 2nd Homeless Heroes. CA
- 3rd Dublin High School Envirotech Club. CA
Blue Square Winners
- 1st Tied SWEP Sustainability Clubs, North Tahoe High School Envirolution Club CA
- 2nd Pawsitive Impact – GHS ILC. CO
- 3rd Reduce The Bags. UT
Green Circle Winners
- 1st TES Renewable Engine. CA
- 2nd The Compostables. CA
- 3rd Atticus Puttgen. U