Highlights from the 2025 EcoRise Student Innovation Showcases
This May, EcoRise proudly hosted eight inspiring Student Innovation Showcases—three in-person and five virtual—where hundreds of students from across the country presented their sustainability and climate action projects to their peers, community members, and local leaders. We’re so proud of all the young environmental leaders who shared their innovative ideas, demonstrated their learning, and inspired their communities to engage in their real-world impact. With projects ranging from improving indoor air quality to cultivating school gardens and building campus-wide composting systems, students showcased what’s possible when youth are given the space to lead with creativity, compassion, and commitment.
Student Innovation Showcases give EcoRise students the opportunity to share their work with their community and be celebrated as the leaders they have become. These events give parents and community supporters a chance to see the behind-the-scenes work EcoRise educators and staff do year-round to activate youth as problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and environmental stewards. Expand the sections below to explore the magic of each of our regional events from Showcase Season 2025.
Washington, DC: Breaking Records and Building Resilience
The 6th Annual Washington, DC Student Innovation Showcase continued to set records this year, with twenty-three student teams from across the DC-Maryland-Virginia area taking the stage to present projects that address local sustainability challenges through innovative and thoughtful solutions. From school-wide composting systems to the creation of outdoor learning environments, the night was filled with hope and ingenuity from students of all ages. First graders from Langley Elementary School shared their organic solutions that protect garden produce from pests like aphids and replace toxic pesticides, including planting certain herbs and introducing ladybugs. One group of Benjamin Banneker High School students researched the emissions and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) released by different types of candles, raising awareness about the potential health impacts of everyday products.
This incredible evening was made successful by our supporters. We are grateful to Benjamin Banneker High School for hosting and to EcoRise Board Chair Heather Hairston and Board Member Cherice Greene, who applauded educators present for empowering their students and encouraged students to keep driving change and holding adults accountable. Banneker senior D’Marco Barksdale (@deeshottz on Instagram) captured photography of the event. We’d also like to thank our partners, DC Public Schools, DocuSign.org, MetLife Foundation, and Southwest Airlines, for their ongoing support. Explore photos from this spectacular event here.
Austin, TX: Youth Voices Echo Through City Hall
Central Texas youth filled Austin City Hall with their energy, ideas, and passion for a more sustainable future at the 9th Annual Student Innovation Showcase. Fourteen student teams shared projects focused on pollinator protection, upcycling, the importance of shade equity, and more. Members of the Austin Youth Climate Equity Council introduced community members to ways to take climate action by getting involved with the work of local frontline organizations. Throughout the school year, Council members learned from Festival Beach Food Forest, Safe Streets Austin, Solar Austin, Urban Roots, The Trail Conservancy, and The Village Place, and supported each organization with projects ranging from vegetable harvesting and writing letters to City Council to community engagement and more.
Mayor Kirk Watson kicked off the Showcase with a speech praising the students’ courage and reminding them that meaningful change often begins with young voices. Braden Latham-Jones from the Office of Climate Action & Resilience (OCAR) commended the presenters on their climate leadership and introduced Youth Climate Council Member Grace Valdez. Grace spoke about how her three years on the council have helped her explore her passions, find best friends, and determine the direction she will take her career. We are grateful to the City of Austin OCAR, Docusign.org, and H-E-B for supporting EcoRise programs and connecting these young leaders with the resources to bring their bright ideas to life. Check out photos from this wonderful evening here.
San Antonio, TX: A Celebration of Climate Champions
The 7th Annual San Antonio Student Innovation Showcase brought together students, educators, families, and community leaders to celebrate a year of climate action. Fourteen student teams from across the San Antonio-metro area converged at UTSA Downtown, buzzing with excitement for this community event. Student projects ranged from vermicomposting and chicken coop initiatives to upcycling waste into art, all of which advance the city’s #SAClimateReady goals. The Mayor’s Youth Council for Climate Initiatives shared the community impact projects that were created from their work with the local organizations and City offices. The Council teams connected businesses with renewable energy options, made hygiene and health products more accessible, increased access to and awareness of emergency services provided by Climate Resilience Hubs, educated the community about how to biodiversify their yards (check out @projectgreenscape for tips), and combated food scarcity!
Guest speakers at the Showcase focused on the need for a growing partnership between youth and the broader community. Mayor Ron Nirenberg shared how inspired he was by the youth leaders in the room. He encouraged students to continue to believe in themselves and instilled a need for intergenerational collaboration to the adults in the room. Youth Council member Dazzel Moore shared his experience on the Council, which activated him to move from hypothesizing about issues in a classroom to having a real-world impact on the issues he sees in his community. We’re grateful to our partners at the City of San Antonio Office of Sustainability, Docusign.org, H-E-B, the Wayne Hollomon Price Foundation, and the UTSA Downtown Campus for helping us bring this memorable evening to life. Find more photos from this incredible night here.
Virtual Showcases: Innovation Without Borders
This year, EcoRise also facilitated five virtual showcases, expanding access for students in regions not hosting in-person events. These students took to the digital stage to share their creativity, determination, and impact.
- Heritage Hall OKC students revealed their Living Wall project, designed to boost mental wellness and indoor air quality at school.
- Oakland Technical High School’s AP Environmental Science students tackled indoor air pollution by educating peers and teachers, replacing outdated filters, and monitoring classroom air quality.
- Students at UCLA Community School at RFK shared their upgraded recycling program, backed by data collection and a peer-led awareness campaign.
- Casady School’s 6th graders traced the carbon footprint of cafeteria cucumbers—and then grew their own, planning to pickle the harvest this summer.
- At the South Texas Virtual Showcase, five teams from PSJA ISD and other schools presented projects ranging from school garden revitalization to air quality improvement, with graduating seniors offering powerful reflections and advice to the next generation.
- Harlem Renaissance students improved their peers’ access to plants with an indoor Tower Garden that is growing veggies while construction is done on their greenhouse and by bringing plants to classrooms to improve air quality, student focus and well-being.
- Students from PS 199’s Climate Action and Stewardship Team undertook projects to protect NYC street trees and bring thriving plants into their classrooms year-round.
These virtual events are a testament to the fact that meaningful climate action knows no bounds—and neither does student innovation. Thank you to the 105 green professionals who volunteered their time to attend these showcases, celebrate students’ work, and provide real-world feedback on their solutions. Authentic virtual experiences for our students would not have been possible without volunteers from BNY, Capgemini, the City of Oklahoma City, the Green Schools National Network, the Hispanic Access Foundation, MetLife Foundation, New York City Public Schools, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma University, South Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, Ten Strands, Texas A&M University, Texas Region 1 Education Service Center, MetLife Foundation, and the University of California Berkley, and West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP).
The Future is Bright and Student-Led
At EcoRise, we believe in the power of youth to lead us toward a just and sustainable future. This year’s Student Innovation Showcases reminded us what’s possible when young people are equipped with the tools, resources, and support they need to turn their ideas into action. If you missed any of these events, be sure to explore the photo albums from each night here.
To the students, teachers, families, and partners who made this showcase season a success, thank you! Your leadership, collaboration, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people continues to push the environmental education movement forward every day.
Interested in supporting future youth-led climate action? Connect students with resources for change by becoming a partner or making a donation today. Together, #WeRise!
