Hey Teachers!
Welcome to your Shane McConkey EcoChallenge launchpad.
This is your one-stop resource zone to help your students take bold ideas, turn them into real-world environmental action, and have a blast doing it.
Whether you’re a seasoned educator or new to project-based learning, we’ve got your back with everything you need to roll the EcoChallenge into your curriculum—no extra stress, just more stoke.
Start Here: Your EcoChallenge Toolkit
EcoChallenge At a Glance
Need the who/what/why/when? This one-pager breaks it all down—perfect for pitching the idea to your admin, fellow teachers, or to send along to parents.
+ DOWNLOAD THE BILINGUAL FLYER
How to Run the Challenge
A step-by-step guide for kicking things off, rallying your students, helping them pick a project, and cruising through the submission process.
Timeline & Milestones
We’ve mapped out the 3 timelines for a full school year, one month, or 5-days with suggested checkpoints and reminders to help keep your class on track (and stoked).
Submission Checklist
No last-minute chaos—just a simple checklist to make sure everything’s good to go before students hit “submit.”
Make It Count: Classroom & Standards Alignment
Want to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders? These easy-to-use lesson plans align with core standards and are designed to work seamlessly in your classroom. Check them out:
benefits of entering the Ecochallenge
Join the Cycle of Awesomeness!
Watch the process In One Class:
Thank you, Encinitas Day School and Mr. decking Our 2019 Third Place Winners!
Win $27,250 in Prize Money
EcoChallenge projects will be judged based on the level of action taken. Whether you’re just getting started or going big with long-term impact, there’s a category for you. Projects can be submitted by individuals or teams (with a maximum of 30 students per group or classroom).
The more deeply you develop and carry out your action plan, the higher your project will be ranked—so dream big and take it as far as you can!

Extreme EcoChallengers
1st Place wins $5,000
2nd Place wins $4,000
3rd Place wins $3,000

Advanced EcoChallengers
1st Place wins $4,000
2nd Place wins $3,000
3rd Place wins $2,000

Intermediate EcoChallengers
1st Place wins $2,000
2nd Place wins $1,500
3rd Place wins $1,000

Beginner EcoChallengers
1st Place wins $1,000
2nd Place wins $500
3rd Place wins $250
Shane McConkey Ecochallenge
Projects Due by Earth Day.
The Shane McConkey EcoChallenge empowers young people to learn about environmental issues in their community, engage in critical thinking to identify innovative solutions, and take action as EcoChallengers for the planet. Enter by April 22, 2026 at 11:59pm PST.
STEP 1: REGISTER YOUR TEAM
>We are so excited that you are joining our EcoChallenge! Register your team so we can send you updates, reminders, and encouragement.
STEP 2: SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT
>Have you completed your EcoChallenge project? That is great news. Submit your project below. Be sure to include photos and videos of your team!
CLEAN UP YOUR SCHOOL
CLEAN UP A WATERWAY
Create Art
protect wildlife
Inspire others
Plant some trees
Entering is Easy!
- Choose an environmental issue
- Work as a team or on your own
- Enlist an advisor (teacher, parent, local leader)
- Create a plan to address your chosen issue
- Put your plan into action
- Report results via a super simple online form
- Winners announced in May!
BONUS: Students who submit great photos and video of their team and project will receive an additional prize!
Past Project VIDEOS
Extreme 1ST Place Winner
Extreme 2ND Place Winner
Extreme 3rd Place Winner (tie)
Blue Square 1st Place Winner
Who Was Shane McConkey—and Why This Challenge?
Shane McConkey was more than just a world-class skier and BASE jumper—he was a fearless innovator, a big thinker, and a passionate advocate for this planet. Known for pushing the limits of what’s possible (and having a blast doing it), Shane also cared deeply about protecting the natural world that made his adventures possible.
After his passing in 2009, the Shane McConkey Foundation was created to carry forward his adventurous spirit and commitment to environmental responsibility. The EcoChallenge is part of that legacy—a way to inspire young people to think creatively, take action, and leave the world better than they found it.
Through this challenge, we invite students to tap into Shane’s bold energy, think outside the box, and become stewards of the environment in their own communities. Because like Shane believed: if you’re going to do something, do it with purpose—and have fun along the way.