NEED's Annual Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement

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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

2026 Senior
Liceo de Colombia Bilingue
Bogotá, Colombia,

From Fruit Waste to Fuel: Bioethanol Production in Schools

Project Advisors

Camilo Martínez

Student Advisors

Laura Bonilla

Awards

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2026 Senior
Rochester School
Chía, Cundinamarca,

Sharing our Energy Vibes

Project Advisors

Matthew Reis

Student Advisors

Mariana Leon, Juanita Aranguren

Awards

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2026 Senior VA
Gate City High School
Gate City, VA

Gate City High School 4-H Energy Project

Project Advisors

Dawn Williams, Donna Rowlett, Kasey Fioramonti

Awards

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2026 Senior TX
O'Connell College Preparatory School
Galveston, TX

Rooted in Sustainability

Project Advisors

Nina Corley

Student Advisors

Jordan Romero, Paige Gidney, Anya Rojos

Awards

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2026 Elementary PA
Afton Elementary School
Yardley, PA

Afton Elementary’s Energy Journey

Project Advisors

Kristin Slota

Student Advisors

Ellie Behme, Emme Gallagher, Emily Leahy

Awards

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2026 Senior NC
Southern Guilford High School
Greensboro, NC

Work Harder? Nope. Work Smarter

Project Advisors

Mark Case

Student Advisors

Vanessa Herbin, Leslie Gutierrez

Awards

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2026 Primary NC
Salem Elementary School
Morganton, NC

Clean Energy Activities & Community Project

Project Advisors

Jamie Dale

Awards

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2026 Elementary NC
Irving Park Elementary School
Greensboro, NC

Changing Our World

Project Advisors

Tracee Weathersby

Student Advisors

Lola McDonald, Warner Sherouse

Awards

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2026 Junior NY
APW Jr/Sr High School
Parish, NY

Carnival of Energy

Project Advisors

Jessica Halsey

Student Advisors

Nicholas VanPatten, Joe Steele, Lillian Horning, Kristyn Klaisle, Levi Balcom, McKenna McEwen

Awards

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2026 Junior NE
Hanny Arram Center for Success
Kearney, NE

Importance of Energy Awareness in the U.S.

Project Advisors

Talisha Sorenson

Student Advisors

Abby Casey

Awards

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