After two years of creatively showcasing student designs and ingenuity in a virtual space, EcoRise is thrilled to invite the Central Texas community to learn from and celebrate local student leaders and their teachers in person, once again, on April 28, 2022. Join us for the 6th Annual Central Texas Student Innovation Showcase, taking place at the Tudor House patio at Pease Park this year from 5:30–7 pm.
Bertha Sadler Means students showcasing their solar charging station project.
The showcase will feature data-driven, STEM-based, sustainability projects designed by K–12 students from Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, and local charter and private schools that solve a social or environmental issue in their school community. Student teams brought their projects to life by applying for EcoRise’s Student Innovation Fund, in which students must complete a campus environmental audit in one or more areas of sustainability (e.g. water, waste, energy, food) and design a project to address an issue identified during the audit. The student-designed projects must either reduce the campus’s environmental footprint or create public awareness around environmental issues.
“Showcasing provides students an opportunity to share their passion and ingenuity with their community and demonstrate the lasting environmental impact their work will have,” says Jon Stott, Executive Director of EcoRise. “We are so excited to bring the opportunity to connect in-person with the community back to EcoRise students this year!”
Since 2014, EcoRise has partnered with the Office of Sustainability to make the Student Innovation Fund possible in Central Texas. “These student-led projects are helping to build confidence and leadership in the next generation of environmental stewards,” said Lucia Athens, Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Austin. “We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments — especially during Earth Month!”
Brooke Elementary students explaining their aquaponics project to Austin Mayor Steve Adler.
Funding for the Student Innovation Fund in Central Texas was provided in part by the City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability. This year, more than $9,500 in microgrants will have been awarded to 13 schools in the Austin area. The partnership between EcoRise and the City of Austin funded pollinator gardens, hydroponic salad greens, composting tumblers, recycling bins, and reusable cutlery to name a few. EcoRise is also grateful to the philanthropic supporters who make programming possible in Central Texas including Austin FC, Austin ISD, Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, H-E-B, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Representatives of the inaugural Austin Youth Climate Equity Council will also be in attendance, tabling and sharing information about their community impact projects. The Youth Council is made possible through the support and partnership of Austin ISD, the City of Austin’s Office of Sustainability, EcoRise, and the University of Texas’ Planet Texas 2050. RSVP and join us for a night of inspiration!
EcoRise is currently serving more than 8,200 teachers and 400,000 students. We have replicated the successful model of the Central Texas program in more than ten other regions across the U.S. Aside from Central Texas, we are excited to be hosting in-person showcases in San Antonio and Washington, D.C. this school year, with more regional showcases to come in the future. To learn more about our programs visit ecorise.org. To RSVP to a showcase near you, visit www.ecorise.eventbrite.com.
