Hello Robin,

Project Green Schools is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Green Difference Awards!

These exceptional individuals and organizations are being honored for exemplary leadership in energy, environment, and climate, inspiring others to take action toward a healthier and more sustainable planet.

The winners will be honored at the 16th Annual Green Difference Awards ceremony hosted at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., in May. 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 

Jennifer Seydel, Executive Director

Green Schools National Network

Iowa City, Iowa

Linda Cabot, Founder & President

Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs

Billerica, Massachusetts

PROJECT GREEN SCHOOLS BOARD AWARD

Michael Isenberg

Providence, Rhode Island

NATIONAL AWARDS

Florida

Anglers of Tomorrow

Yashwin Adusumilli, Founder & President

FAU High School

Parkland, Florida

Illinois

GreenBliss: AI-Infused Vertical Gardens & Smoothie Hub for Student Vitality

Jennifer Garetto, Middle School Science Teacher

The Avery Coonley School

Downers Grove, Illinois

Louisiana

The Indigenous Plant Project

Arjun Desai

Shreveport, Louisiana

Massachusetts

Chris Sullivan, Solid Waste & Recycling Coordinator

City DPW

Lowell, Massachusetts

Michigan

Stewards Sustainability Leadership Institute 4-H Club

Vishal Swamy, Founder and Chair

Novi, Michigan

New Jersey

Endangered Species Coloring Book

GLC Student Green Team

George L. Catrambone School - Long Branch Public Schools

Long Branch, New Jersey

A Sustainable Future

Carolyn He

Morris Hills High School

Rockaway, New Jersey

New York

Soil2Salad Food Security Initiative

Landon DAgate

Long Island Cares

Hauppauge, New York

Robert Ross

Oyster Bay High School

Mill Neck, New York

Rhode Island

The Compass School Farm

Brandee Lapisky, Director

The Compass School

Kingston, Rhode Island

Texas

Preserve the Prairie

Diya Balagopal, President of Nature's Nurturers Club (NGSS)

Frisco, Texas

Washington

Teen Coalition 4 Climate

Ivy Liu, Executive Director

Seattle, Washington

Washington, D.C.

American Climate Corps

Biden-Harris Administration

Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Program: National Environmental Youth Advisory Council

Office of State and Community Energy Programs

U.S. Department of Energy Program: Renew America’s Schools

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

Nepal

Student Clubs for a Sustainable Future

Maggie Doyne & Tope Malla, Co-Founders

Kopila Valley School

Philippines

Luntiang Pamana Project

Alejandra Endrina, Project Coordinator

Panabo City Senior High School

Taiwan

Sustainable School Campus

Albert Wang, Principal

Mingdao High School

Outdoor Classroom Challenge Winners Spotlight

First Place: River Valley Charter School (Newburyport, MA)

Project Green Schools has announced the winners of the 2024 Outdoor Classroom Challenge, an annual competition challenging schools to develop and implement a meaningful outdoor classroom and learning space. 

From what began with a simple letter in the mail seeking support for a student project, the Outdoor Classroom Challenge has had a significant impact on participating schools, awarding nearly $50,000 to support and empower schools to create outdoor spaces that enhance learning and connect students with the natural world over the last three years.

The innovation and ingenuity displayed by this year's competing schools clearly demonstrate that schools have the power to be a catalyst for positive environmental change.

Today, we are excited to highlight our $10,000 Grand Prize Winner, River Valley Charter School!

River Valley Charter School will receive special recognition alongside our Outdoor Classroom Challenge finalists at the 16th Annual Green Difference Awards ceremony, which will be held in May at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C.

Interested in seeing more of the winning designs? We will be creating a resource page with the winning designs and other resources for inspiration! Stay tuned!

Partnership Announcement: The Earth Prize

We are excited to announce our new partnership with The Earth Prize!

The Earth Prize is a $200,000 environmental sustainability competition for teenage students across the globe which recognizes students and schools with the best solutions to accelerate positive change toward environmental sustainability.

Partnership Announcement: Play for the Planet

We are thrilled to partner with Play for the Planet! 

Play for the Planet is a job board that combines sports with sustainability. They connect talented professionals with companies dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment. 

Attention Massachusetts Students, Teachers, and Schools: There is still time to sign up for Innovating for the Future! Don't miss out!

Project Green Schools invites high school students throughout Massachusetts to sign up for the Innovating for the Future Competition, which will take place on April 30th, 2024, at the Massachusetts State House. Emceed by NBC 10 Boston meteorologist Pete Bouchard.

In this "Shark Tank"-style competition, students will work in teams to create sustainable solutions to our planet's environmental challenges. Students will design a business or product proposal or a sustainable solution that combats their chosen environmental issue and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Innovating for the Future provides students with an excellent opportunity to showcase their STEM skills, creativity, and innovation abilities while competing for prize money for their school projects. 

The top three teams will be awarded a prize. 

1st Place = $5,000

2nd Place = $2,500

3rd Place = $1,000

Note: If your school can't compete this year, you are welcome to attend and be inspired for next year! Your school can register ten guests to participate by selecting the "spectator option" option on the registration form. 

The top three finalists will also be honored at the 16th Annual Green Difference Awards in Washington, D.C.  

Registration required.

Speaking Program: 

• Jay Barrows, State Representative at Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Crystal Johnson, Assistant Secretary of Environmental Justice, Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs
• Mark Sylvia, Chief of Staff at BlueWave Solar, Project Green Schools Board Advisor
• Priya Samant, Tech Entrepreneur | Creator-Impact Advising for Cinema | Speaker 
• Christopher Baxley, Associate Consultant | US Renewables
• Samantha Salamone, Paralegal with Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
• Noah Sorin, Founder of Idori | Boston Business Journal 25under25 | MassChallenge 2023 Early-Stage Cohort
• Robin Sidman, M.Ed., Founder & Executive Director of Project Green Schools

Calendar of Events/Days to Celebrate

April

• April 20th-28th: Planet Week
• 22nd: Earth Day
• 23rd: Rhode Island Mock Legislative Session on Energy & Climate Change
• 26th: National Healthy Schools Day
• Last Friday: Arbor Day
• 30th: Innovating for the Future Competition

May

• First full week – International Compost Awareness Week 
• 13th (2nd Saturday): International Migratory Bird Day
• 19th (3rd Friday): Bike-to-Work Day
• 19th (3rd Friday): Endangered Species Day
• 22nd: International Day for Biological Diversity
• 23rd: World Turtle Day