K–12 students to present community impact projects at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School on May 29
Washington, DC, May 22, 2025— DC Public Schools (DCPS) and EcoRise will host the 6th Annual Washington, DC Student Innovation Showcase at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. This event will spotlight inspiring, student-led environmental and social innovation projects from across the District. The public is invited to attend and hear firsthand from the next generation of leaders working to build healthy, resilient school communities.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with student teams who designed and implemented sustainability projects, including improving air quality, improving waste systems, supporting student mental health, improving biodiversity, growing food, and more. The showcase celebrates student agency and creativity while highlighting how young people are rising to meet the challenges of our time with data-driven, community-based solutions.
This year’s event will feature 20 student teams representing DCPS and local charter schools that were awarded Student Innovation Grants by EcoRise. This grant program activates youth to conduct campus audits and design meaningful, student-led improvements to their school environments.
“In a time when hope can feel in short supply, our students remind us what’s possible,” said Jonathan Stott, Executive Director of EcoRise. “Their bold, community-centered work shows us that leadership and innovation are not bound by age. EcoRise is honored to support these changemakers as they create measurable impacts in their schools and beyond.”
“The sustainability solutions imagined by our students reflect their excitement and ability to tackle one of the biggest challenges of our time,” said DC Public Schools Chancellor, Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee. “The district’s EcoRise partnership provides a pathway for young leaders to address environmental issues through innovation.”
Since 2015, EcoRise has awarded more than $72,000 in grants to student teams across the DC metro area, thanks to continued partnerships with DC Public Schools, Docusign, Metlife Foundation, and Southwest Airlines. These projects reflect DCPS’s commitment to whole-child learning, environmental literacy, and community-based education. Come meet this year’s grant recipients on May 29th. Learn more and RSVP at https://dcshowcase25.eventbrite.com.
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About DC Public Schools
DC Public Schools provides rigorous and joyful learning experiences to nearly 50,000 students in Washington, DC. DCPS educators, families, and leaders work together to ensure every student feels loved, challenged, and prepared to positively influence society and thrive in life. Learn more at https://dcps.dc.gov.
About EcoRise
EcoRise mobilizes a new generation of leaders to design healthy, just, and thriving communities for all. The national nonprofit provides K–12 curriculum, professional development, and grant opportunities to advance environmental literacy, climate resilience, and green career pathways. EcoRise currently supports more than 7,300 teachers and 409,000 students across the country. Learn more at www.ecorise.org.
Media Contacts
Evan Lambert, DC Public Schools, evan.lambert@k12.dc.gov
Laura Fuller, EcoRise, laura@ecorise.org
