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 Elementary LA
A Different World Academy
Gretna, LA

Lost Kids Mardi Gras Solar House

Project Advisors

Lorenza Lawless

Student Advisors

Aubrie Royal, Jaxson Carter, Bryson Spurlock

Awards

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2025 Elementary MD
Northview Elementary School
Bowie, MD

Spread the Word: Energy is Everywhere!

Project Advisors

Adebisi Babayemi

Student Advisors

Allie Baker, Hannah Armstrong, Henry Frazer, Chidima Ozar, Oluwakorde Fawehinmi

Awards

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2025 Elementary NC
Irving Park Elementary
Greensboro, NC

Making Connections at IPE

Project Advisors

Tracee Weathersby

Student Advisors

Amiyah Spinks, Alexis Ksor

Awards

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2025 Elementary KY
Rise STEM Academy for Girls
Lexington, KY

Rise Cafeteria Cleanup

Project Advisors

Kristen Witt

Student Advisors

Nia Twyman, Monica Perez Maciel, Audrey Rucker, Lena Naito, Da'Liyah Newby, Fatou Cham, Maya Bussell, Olivia Guillaume, Talea Shelton, Lavee Shelton, Marley Murray, Eliana T

Awards

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2025 Elementary KY
Maryville Elementary
Louisville, KY

MES Water Savers

Project Advisors

Emily Berryman

Student Advisors

Leevi Upton ,Sydney Curtsinger, JoJo Hughes, Jazmyn Logsdon

Awards

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2025 Elementary CA
Urbita Elementary
San Bernardino, CA

Earthsavers Are Energy Minded!

Project Advisors

Andrea Schindler

Student Advisors

Daniela Perez, Kendra Delgadillo, Molly Meraz, Emily Ramirez, Juliana Sendry, Meilani Parra, Noah Salmeron, Nathan Vasquez Almaraz, Isabella Martinez, Anna Oliva, Victoria Hernandez

Awards

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2025 Elementary VA
Our Lady of Good Counsel Elementary
Vienna, VA

Rethink green: Rethink recycling

Project Advisors

Samantha Danielli

Student Advisors

Isabella Baruffi, Willow Losick, Mia-Celie Durocher, Gemma Isokpehi, Benjamin Bottcher, Summer Bottcher

Awards

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2025 Elementary FL
Morningside Elementary
Port St Lucie, FL

Bringing our A game!

Project Advisors

Mollie Mukhamedov

Student Advisors

Olivia Salmon

Awards

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2025 Elementary FL
A.K. Suter Elementary
Pensacola, FL

It’s All About Energy!

Project Advisors

Cindy Bradley

Student Advisors

Jackson Gray, Ansel Ramos, Cooper Smith, Robert Leahy, Wesley Cannon, Oliver Zimmerman, Killian Pries, Charlie Davis

Awards

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2024 Junior KY
Saint Agnes Catholic School
Louisville, KY

Green Stewards

Project Advisors

Kelley Mullaney-Schleg

Student Advisors

Kelley Schleg, Nicole Bellot

Awards

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