NEED's Annual

Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement

est.1980

Celebrating 45 Years of Kids Teaching Kids

NEED schools have outstanding classroom-based programs in which students learn about energy. Some schools have student leaders who extend these activities into their communities. To recognize outstanding achievement and reward this leadership, The NEED Project conducts the National Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement. 

Youth Awards Resources

Project Guidelines

Information about starting and finishing your project, formatting and presentation, adding a video, and submitting your work.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about the Youth Awards, project submissions, and participation.

Program Guide

Full information about the Youth Awards in convenient e-publication or .pdf download format.

Group of students around a Youth Awards poster

The Youth Awards Program is great for all schools—new to energy education, or veteran. Projects and outreach completed for the program provide opportunity for enrichment and engagement, as well as an opportunity for your students, classroom, and school to shine.

PAST YOUTH AWARDS WINNERS

2025 Senior CA
Milpitas High School
Milpitas, CA

Energy Harvesting Roof

Project Advisors

Ayan Bera

Student Advisors

Kallol Bera

Awards

View Project
2025 Senior TX
O'Connell College Preparatory School
Galveston, TX

Green Team Dreams

Project Advisors

Nina Corley

Student Advisors

William Moesta, Victoria McNally, Isabell McNally, Miranda Aguirre

Awards

View Project
2025 Senior LA
A Different World Academy
Gretna, LA

Recyclarnage: The Solar Powered Recyclable Trash Bin

Project Advisors

Lorenza Lawless

Student Advisors

Camrin Royal, Dillon Voss, Emad Kassem

Awards

View Project
2025 Senior CA
La Jolla High School
San Diego, CA

Sustainable Agriculture in San Diego

Student Advisors

Michael Thomas, Kobi Schneider, Michael Schaffer

Awards

View Project
2025 Senior KY
Warren Central High School
Bowling Green, KY

To Educate Others about Hydro and Solar Energy

Project Advisors

Nathan Dick

Student Advisors

Lillian Brown

Awards

View Project
2025 Senior NC
Southern Guilford High School
Greensboro, NC

Energy Demand is HIGH for the Storm

Project Advisors

Mark Case

Student Advisors

Aurora Winn, Jaya Varness, Clara Desch

Awards

View Project
2025 Senior WI
Chippewa Falls High School
Chippewa Falls, WI

The Energy Education Collective: Engaging Communities, Empowering Change

Project Advisors

Nick Gagnon

Student Advisors

Ellie Crosby, Zoey Eckwright, Chloe Johnson

Awards

View Project
2025 Senior WA
Eastlake High School
Sammamish, WA

HAMMER: Hammerhead Adapted Modifications for Maximizing Energy Retrieval

Project Advisors

Sowmya Saranathan

Student Advisors

Akshara Srinivas

Awards

View Project
2025 Junior GA
Clarke Middle School
Athens, GA

Conservation & Compassion: Saving Resources & Helping Others

Project Advisors

Audrey Hughes

Student Advisors

Juli Eickholt, Ezra Irwin, DJ Jordan, Mason Marshall, Addy Wise

Awards

View Project
2025 Junior KS
Beloit Jr. Sr. High School
Beloit, KS

Beloit USD 273 STEM Club

Project Advisors

Christie Fouts

Student Advisors

Madison Stillwell, Oakleigh Adams, Alison Goddard, Emmery Manning, Charlotte Norton, Whitley Gronewoller, Aaliyah Dunigan, Brecken Lesage, Avery Loomis

Awards

View Project