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

2026 Elementary FL
A.K. Suter Elementary School
Pensacola, FL

It’s All About Energy

Project Advisors

Cindy Bradley

Student Advisors

Jake McWilliams, Harper Oberhausen, Owen Leahy, Porter Daniel, Marleigh Goodrich, Aston Abney, Jayla Green

Awards

View Project
2026 Elementary FL
Morningside Elementary School
Port St Lucie, FL

Soaring With Energy

Project Advisors

Mollie Mukhamedov

Student Advisors

Emily Black

Awards

View Project
2026 Elementary CA
Urbita Elementary School
San Bernardino, CA

Renewable Energy For the Win!

Project Advisors

Andrea Schindler

Awards

View Project
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