Four Days of Student-Led Solutions

From April 13–16, students from across the country will share solutions designed to make their schools and communities healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient.

Each day will feature student presentations, peer learning, and conversations with sustainability leaders.

Daily sessions: 12:00–1:30 p.m. EDT | Virtual

Feeding the Future

TUESDAY, APRIL 13
Sustainable agriculture, local food systems, food-waste reduction, and nutrition security.

Caring for Our Planet

TUESDAY, APRIL 14
Student-led climate action, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and healthier schools and communities.

Protecting Nature

TUESDAY, APRIL 15
Biodiversity, habitat restoration, outdoor learning, and watershed protection.

Powering Change

TUESDAY, APRIL 16
Clean energy, green career pathways, youth advocacy, and civic engagement.

Turn an Idea into Action

Green Spark is more than a student showcase. It is a national learning experience that helps students investigate sustainability challenges, develop meaningful solutions, collaborate with peers, and share their impact.

What Participants Receive:

Expert Coaching

Guidance from sustainability experts who help student teams strengthen their ideas and move their projects forward

National Peer Collaboration

Opportunities to connect with students across the country who are addressing similar challenges in different communities.

Resources for Action

Tools and resources that support project planning, implementation, and reflection.

Learning for Educators

Professional learning and networking opportunities for the educators supporting student teams.

A National Platform

Recognition for student leadership, innovation, and impact through the Green Spark national showcase.

Additional Opportunities

Depending on available funding and sponsorships, participating teams may also be eligible for mini-grants, awards, scholarships, or other project support.

The Green Spark Journey

Green Spark is more than a student showcase. It is a national learning experience that helps students investigate sustainability challenges, develop meaningful solutions, collaborate with peers, and share their impact.

  1. 1

    Identify a Challenge

    Explore a sustainability issue affecting your school or community.

  2. 2

    Create a Plan and Apply

    Develop your initial solution and submit a Green Spark proposal.

  3. 3

    Receive Coaching and Support

    Learn from experts and collaborate with student teams across the country.

  4. 4

    Implement and Measure

    Put your solution into action and document what you learn.

  5. 5

    Present and Inspire

    Share your story nationally and inspire others to take action.

Key Dates for Green Spark 2027

Green Spark is more than a student showcase. It is a national learning experience that helps students investigate sustainability challenges, develop meaningful solutions, collaborate with peers, and share their impact.

  1. SEP 23
    2026 Call for Proposals Opens
  2. OCT 23
    2026 Proposal Deadline
  3. NOV 6
    2026 Selected Teams Notified
  4. FALL TBD
    2026 Green Spark Cohort Begins
  5. FEB TBD
    2027 Cohort Learning Session
  6. APR 13–16
    2027 National Student Solutions Showcase

Explore Green Spark 2026

Together, this community celebrated student voices, shared real-world sustainability solutions, and inspired more classrooms to take action.

Together, Green Spark 2026 brought together:

School Districts Featured

States Represented

Student Leaders Presenting

Student Solutions for Schools, Communities,

and the Planet!

Green Spark 2026 is a nationwide virtual showcase celebrating K-12 students who are turning their ideas into real solutions for people and the planet.

On April 24, 2026, students and educators from across the country joined us for a day of creativity, learning, and action through live sessions designed to fit into the school day.

From advocacy campaigns and design challenges to art that inspired change, Green Spark created a space where student voices led and ideas came to life.

Follow Green Spark 2027!

Watch Green Spark 2026

Explore the student-led projects featured in the 2026 Green Spark Showcase. Real ideas driving real change in schools and communities.

Caring for Our Planet

Better at the Bin (B@B) / Precious Plastics

Tosin Adetoro of Meridian High School
Students lead a cafeteria recycling initiative to improve waste sorting, build sustainable habits, and explore upcycling, driving circular design and behavior change in their school.
FEEDING THE FUTURE

Cafeteria to Farm Compost Cup Competition

Marti Hirsch of Boulder Valley School Disrict
Students lead a schoolwide compost competition to improve waste habits and support a cafeteria-to-farm initiative. They monitor compost quality, track participation, and reward top grades with weekly wins and an end-of-year celebration.
PROTECTING NATURE

Seeds of Stewardship

Kari Wilcher of Dr. G.W. Carver Elementary School

Students restore native habitats by collecting seeds, growing plants, and supporting pollinators, building environmental literacy through hands-on stewardship.

POWERING CHANGE

Earth Week Green Fair

Naomi D Hershiser, Josh Flood, Eric Hallberg of Prairie Crossing Charter School
Students host a sustainability fair with interactive booths inspired by the UN SDGs, educating peers through activities and presentations.
POWERING CHANGE

Activating Change Through Partnership

Chandrashekar, Priya, Young, Sophia, Brown, Arabella, Katherine Crovo, Norman, Leah of FCPS
Students collaborate with local partners to lead projects like tree planting, solar benches, and upcycling while engaging the community through events and outreach.
FEEDING THE FUTURE

Cafeteria Waste Diversion

Mike Martin of Mike Martin
Students sort and measure cafeteria waste daily to reduce landfill impact. By analyzing data and teaching peers proper sorting, they promote sustainable habits and schoolwide environmental responsibility.
Caring for Our Planet

Lunchtime Waste Warriors

Danielle Cancasci of Tropical Elementary
Students reduce lunchtime waste by promoting recycling, reuse, and better habits, diverting trash from landfills and supporting a culture of environmental responsibility.
PROTECTING NATURE

Parks and Recreaction Project Comittee

Aanya Parasramka, Jackson Raines, Rufus Godbey, Drew Zimmermann of Bluegrass Youth Sustainability Coordinator
Students partner with Parks & Rec to address inequities in park access, research barriers, and advocate for inclusive public spaces through youth-led planning.
PROTECTING NATURE

Tree Restoration/Arboretum

Olivia DelPiano, Kiyon Neal, Jacob Gibbons of Green Woods Charter School
Students lead a clothing drive and tree-planting initiative to reduce waste and restore ecosystems, supporting biodiversity and Arboretum accreditation.
POWERING CHANGE

Eco Action Challenges

Rocky Bernal, Samuel Ixcal, Carlos Estrada, & Michaela McKoy of Environmental Charter High School - Lawndale
Students build sustainable habits through surveys, challenges, and leaderboards that encourage friendly competition and campus-wide engagement.
Caring for Our Planet

Halloween Costume Swap

Gloria Harwood/ Nicole Stewart of El Morro Elementary
Students organized a costume swap to reduce waste and costs, providing free reused costumes while promoting mindful consumption and sustainability.
FEEDING THE FUTURE

Honey is Sweet Medicine: Observing the antibacterial properties of honey

Dr. Tiffany Turrentine of Lankenau Environmental Science School
Students investigate the antibacterial properties of local honey by testing samples on bacteria, exploring how pollinators and plants influence its natural medicinal qualities.
POWERING CHANGE

Project Skyward

Charlotte Meng (10th grade): Project Implementation Leader; Akshara Nataraj (10th grade): Data/Survey Coordinator; Scarlet Fields (11th grade): Youth Engagement Coordinator of East Junior High
Students made their school bird-safe by adding window markers, reducing bird collisions by 95% and educating peers on protecting local bird populations.

Why Partner with Green Spark 2027?

National Brand Visibility & Thought Leadership

Position your organization in front of nationwide networks of school districts, educators, and education leaders committed to sustainability and innovation, establishing your brand as a champion of youth changemakers.

To inquire about early partnership or speaking opportunities, reach out to our team!

Direct Impact on Next-Generation Innovators

Directly support the platforms, virtual production, and resource toolkits that empower K–12 students to design, develop, and scale real-world environmental solutions.

Meaningful Community Engagement & Networking

Connect with a dedicated ecosystem of educators, student teams, and environmental non-profits across our expanded four-day national virtual showcase.

Are you Ready to Inspire Others?

Every big idea starts with a small spark. Share yours and join students nationwide turning ideas into action.

Join the 2027 List