The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Education is now accepting applications for the 2023 President’s Environmental Youth Awards and Presidential Innovation Awards for Environmental Educators, which honor students and teachers who are working on issues from climate change to environmental justice.
“From cleaning up ocean pollution to expanding access to clean drinking water, America’s young people are making hugely consequential strides in addressing our nation’s biggest environmental challenges,” said Council on Environmental Quality chair Brenda Mallory in a media release. “These Presidential awards are an opportunity to recognize the work of students and educators who are boldly taking on environmental stewardship projects and building healthier, safer communities across the country.”
Examples of environmental topics for the projects are:
• Climate change
• Environmental justice
• Water infrastructure
• Lead in drinking water
• Reducing contributions to ocean and marine litter
• Solutions in recycling
• Using science, technology, engineering and math to teach environmental education
• Environmental sustainability and agricultural practices
• Healthy school environments
• Reducing food waste and loss and excess food recovery efforts
Up to two students from each of EPA’s 10 regions will be selected to receive the youth award, which includes one regional winner for grades K-5 and one regional winner for grades 6-12. The winning projects will be highlighted on the EPA’s website. All student projects must be sponsored by at least one adult over the age of 21 and, if the sponsor is not a teacher, the project must have a teacher as a co-sponsor. Up to two teachers from each of EPA’s 10 regions, from different states, will be selected to receive the educator award. Teachers will receive a presidential plaque and an award of up to $2,500 to be used to further professional development in environmental education. Winning teachers’ local education agencies will also receive awards of up to $2,500 to fund environmental educational activities and programs. Winners will be highlighted on the EPA’s website.
Applications are due by Jan. 11, 2023.
More information is available here.