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

2025 Junior KY
Ockerman Middle School
Florence, KY

STEM Explorers 2025

Project Advisors

Jennifer Davis

Student Advisors

AJ Schroder, Ben Nelson

Awards

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2025 Junior LA
St. Margaret Catholic School
Lake Charles, LA

Love the Boot

Project Advisors

Judy Reeves

Student Advisors

Morgan Flanders, Cullen Clanton, Demoine Mercer, Zach Simon, Dwight Mose, Ariane Thomas

Awards

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2025 Junior LA
A Different World Academy
Gretna, LA

Meet Dirttme King: Da Real Trash Keeper

Project Advisors

Lorenza Lawless

Student Advisors

Mar'kiyah Duncan, Jaylyn Grabert, McKinley Hebert, Jade Newsham, Jardyn Turner

Awards

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2025 Junior TN
Ivy Academy
Soddy-Daisy, TN

NGSL Solar Backpack Project

Project Advisors

Jerry Webb

Student Advisors

Madison Dickerson

Awards

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2025 Junior CA
Grades of Green
El Segundo, CA

RISE Climate Solutions Campaign

Project Advisors

Nicole Haragutchi

Student Advisors

Ricardo Haragutchi

Awards

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2025 Junior IL
St. John the Baptist Catholic School
Winfield, IL

Powering Up School with Energy Education

Project Advisors

Scott Valenta

Student Advisors

Francis Roldan, Cesar Pena

Awards

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2025 Junior IL
Winfield Central School
Winfield, IL

Winfield Energy Club 2024-2025

Project Advisors

Cori Nelson

Student Advisors

Quin Tibble

Awards

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2025 Junior IL
The Avery Coonley School
Downers Grove, IL

Forest Air Watch: Student Led Air Quality Study

Project Advisors

Kenny Bae

Student Advisors

Dilan, Muhammad, Lucas, Dean, Henry, Niam, Sierra, and Zayd

Awards

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2025 Elementary WA
Lewis and Clark Elementary
Richland, WA

Educating the Community on Clean Energy Alternatives…

Project Advisors

Nirbhuy Arun

Student Advisors

Nirbhuy Arun, Abel Yonas

Awards

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2025 Elementary PA
Afton Elementary
Yardley, PA

Afton Elementary Project Energy

Project Advisors

Kristin Slota

Student Advisors

Ethan Moses, Keshav Dave, Maddie Behme, Caitlin Castner

Awards

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