Hello Robin,

Project Green Schools is excited to announce the winner of our 2025 Outdoor Classroom Challenge! 

Every year, we challenge schools nationwide to develop and implement an innovative, meaningful outdoor classroom and learning space to foster student engagement and learning beyond the traditional classroom setting. We had an extraordinary group of finalists this year, making it a very close competition!

A hearty congratulations to our Grand Prize Winner, Austin Waldorf School in Austin, Texas, and our second place winner, Deep Creek Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia!

Take a look at some of the highlights from their proposals:

Each of our outstanding Outdoor Classroom Challenge finalists will be recognized at the 2025 Green Difference Awards in Washington, D.C.

Interested in participating in the Outdoor Classroom Challenge? Applications for our 2026 Outdoor Classroom Challenge will open in November. Stay tuned! 

PGS Youth Council Members Named Finalists for the 2025 American Climate Leadership Awards

We are delighted to share that two National Youth Council members were selected as Finalists for ecoAmerica’s American Climate Leadership Awards! 

Our National Youth Council Co-President, Carolyn He, and Programming Officer, Nathan Tan (representing Prairie Restoration Crew), were honored for their impressive leadership and outstanding work advancing climate solutions in their schools and communities. Congratulations, Carolyn and Nathan! 

They will both receive at least $5,000 for work up to the state level. 

On April 16th, join ecoAmerica for the American Climate Leadership Awards broadcast, to celebrate all finalists and hear the announcement of the winner, runner-up, and youth winner, who will receive $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000 in total awards respectively.

Learn more here: https://ecoamerica.org/ecoamerica-announces-finalists-for-the-2025-american-climate-leadership-awards-blog/ 

Project Green Schools at the 2025 Green Schools Conference

Project Green Schools was thrilled to participate in the 2025 Green Schools Conference in Orlando! 

GSC 2025 was an inspiring and impactful event that provided a wealth of insight into environmental education and school sustainability as well as opportunities to connect with organizations from across the nation working to create a more sustainable future.

Exploring the Future of Sustainability Solutions Through the Lens of Youth

Join us in Dallas this April for Exploring the Future of Sustainability Solutions Through the Lens of Youth! 

Project Green Schools and Future Leaders EarthX (FLX) have teamed up to bring free youth programming to students, educators, and schools attending EarthX, one of the world’s largest, most comprehensive, and impactful gatherings of leaders and experts in sustainability, green finance, environmental action, and ocean, land, and resource conservation.

During the conference, we will be hosting a special edition of our Innovating for the Future competition. Innovating for the Future provides students with an excellent opportunity to showcase their STEM skills, creativity, and innovation abilities while competing for prize money for their school projects. 

Stay tuned for more information!

Rhode Island Students: Join us for the 2025 Rhode Island Mock Legislative Session on Energy & Innovation for Sustainable Communities

Project Green Schools cordially invites students across Rhode Island to a special Mock Legislative Session in April.

Through this interactive session, students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the legislative process.

Students will utilize critical thinking skills to engage with sustainability issues, focusing specifically on energy and innovation as a way to help build more sustainable communities, and they will brainstorm and debate policy solutions to environmental challenges with their peers.

By the end of this session, students will have gained valuable insights into the process of policymaking and the role it can play in effectively addressing environmental issues.

If you are interested in attending, please contact our Associate Director, John Donahue, at john@projectgreenschools.org.

Reminder: Applications for the 2025 Green Difference Awards are open! 

We are accepting applications for our annual Green Difference Awards! 

Every year, we set out to honor and recognize environmental leaders of all ages working to drive positive change in their schools, communities, and our planet.

From school administrators to community leaders to outstanding students, Project Green Schools aims to spotlight the Green Difference Makers making strides for our environment. Does this sound like someone you know? Be sure to let us know!

Applications are open now through Friday, March 28th at 11:59 pm EST.

GREENVISION Virtual Summit: Growing Resources for Environmental Education and New Voices in Sustainability and Inspiring Opportunities Now

MobilizeGreen is hosting their GreenVision Summit for High School students nationwide. This is a free opportunity open to high schoolers interested in conservation related topics and careers, hoping to pursue a higher education degree. Attendees will get the chance to speak with a panel of experts about how to navigate undergrad and the plethora of experiences available in college spaces. 

Students who register for the event will be eligible for giveaway prizes - including gift cards, gear, and more!

Learn more and register to attend here:

https://www.mobilizegreen.org/youth-conservation-programs/#greenvision

2025 Global Youth Climate Training (GYCT)

Are you passionate about climate action and eager to make a real impact on international policy? This is your chance! Applications for the 2025 Global Youth Climate Training (GYCT) are officially open!

What is GYCT? 

A free, virtual training program designed to equip young changemakers (ages 16-35) with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to engage in global climate negotiations, advocacy, and policy-making.

Why Join? 

• Learn from top climate experts and policymakers 
• Gain hands-on advocacy and negotiation skills 
• Connect with a global network of youth climate leaders 
• Access exclusive opportunities, including a £3,000 bursary for COP30

This program is a collaboration between the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford, Oxford Net Zero, University of Oxford, and Eco Interpreters, working together to empower the next generation of climate leaders. 

Applications due by March 21st

Learn more and apply here:

https://netzeroclimate.org/global-youth-training/

Coding for Climate: Free for K-12 Classrooms

Take Action Global’s Coding for Climate Project, a three-week global collaboration experience for classrooms, is back for 2025! 

Classrooms will be introduced to computer science foundations then will use skills of problem-solving, computational thinking, creativity, and digital literacy to create solutions for our planet.

From March 17th to April 27th, students from more than 100 countries join together to build skills, exchange ideas, and use coding for our planet and its people.

Learn more and register here:

https://www.coding4climate.org/index.html

The Iris Project: Applications Open Until April 15th!

The Iris Project is accepting applications for The Iris Prize 2025, an annual prize that rewards new ideas and established projects that champion nature restoration. 

Recognizing that nature restoration takes a variety of forms, from traditional land stewardship to innovative technological solutions, the Iris Prize aims to reward new ideas and established projects, hoping to overcome the circumstantial barriers that too often prevent young people from being able to advocate for nature-related change.

The Iris Project has three categories:

The Seed Prize (ages 14-24)

$5,000

Awarded for a new idea, not yet established.

The Stem Prize (ages 16-24)

$10,000

Awarded for an existing project, established on a small scale.

The Iris Prize (ages 16-24)

$15,000

Awarded for an established project, with the potential to replicate and scale.

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity! Applications are open now through April 15th.

Learn more and apply:

https://theirisproject.org/the-prize

Leading Change: The Importance of Youth in Civic Engagement | Conservation in the Classroom

Do you or your students have an awesome environmental project in the works? Submit it to the Shane McConkey EcoChallenge and compete for a chance to win up to $27,250 in prize money!

Launched in 2016, 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. 

The competition is open to individuals or teams of students (pre-K through undergraduate students). Students under the age of 18 must have an adult advisor. 

Projects are due by April 22nd! 

Learn more and apply here:

https://shanemcconkey.org/ecochallenge/

Calendar of Events/Days to Celebrate

March

• 2nd Friday: Solar Appreciation Day
• 20th: World Rewilding Day
• 20th/21st: Spring (Vernal) Equinox
• 21st: International Day of Forests
• 22nd: World Water Day
• 23rd: World Meteorological Day
• Last Saturday: Earth Hour

April

• Week before Earth Day: National Environmental Education Week
• April 20th-28th: Planet Week
• 22nd: Earth Day
• 26th: National Healthy Schools Day
• Last Friday: Arbor Day
• 30th: Innovating for the Future Competition