Competitions

The KidWind Challenge is a wind turbine design competition where students plan, build, and test a turbine to generate as much electricity as possible. Students compete at regional competitions and winning teams are eligible to progress to the national challenge.
Open to: student teams in grades 4-12

Young Reporters for the Environment has students join an international team of young reporters in over 30 countries around the world to investigate environmental issues and propose solutions through creative writing, photography, and videography. Submissions may be created by an individual or group. The first place winner in the national competition run by the National Wildlife Federation progresses to the international competition.
Open to: Students age 11-19

Caring for Our Watersheds is an environmental competition that encourages creativity and rewards students for their solutions to local watershed issues. Winning teams win money to implement their idea.
Open to: Classrooms/clubs composed of students in grades 6-10

Envirothon is a natural resources competition for high school students. Students who participate learn about stewardship and management concepts and work to solve real and hypothetical environmental problems. The program is field-oriented and gives students an opportunity to work with natural resource professionals. Teams compete at the local and regional level in the early spring to win a spot in the Virginia Envirothon. The top three regional teams are eligible to attend the two-day state competition in May. The winner of the state competition goes to the North American Envirothon in late July. The regional sponsor is the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.
Open to: teams of 5 students in grades 9-12

Virginia PTA’s Citizenship Essay Project asks students to write an essay on a theme of good citizenship. While the topic may not always be directly related environmental-themed, the themes typically would allow students to write an essay connecting good citizenship and environmental stewardship.
Open to: K-12 students at schools with a PTA/PTSA in Good Standing

Virginia Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor” Essay Contest invites students to describe what they would do as mayor to make their cities towns, and counties great places to live. How would you make your town a greener place to live if you were mayor?

Open to:  7th grade students