Welcome
The Challenge
"Kids may be only 25% of the world's population, but we are 100% of the future."
-Melati Wijsen, Founder of Youthtopia (Bali, Indonesia)
Your youth IS your superpower. This is your world to inherit, the good and the bad. You have a voice and you have the right to demand action on things you know are wrong. As youth advocate Melati Wijsen says, you ARE 100% of the future!
A big key to being an effective advocate and champion for change is genuine passion, being informed, and clearly presenting your plan for change.
In this Challenge, you will be asked to examine the EARTH element in your community. That means: food access, food waste, healthy soil, healthy forests or mangroves, and green space.
Your Challenge
Explore and identify one problem relating to an EARTH issue in your community, and design a feasible solution to start addressing this problem.
Rules & Details
- Teams must be registered through a teacher or adult advisor
- A team should be made up of 2-5 young people in grades 6-9
- Work on the plan should be led by students/ youth, not the advisor
- Each team should plan to complete their own Green Heart Action Plan and pitch video for review in Round 1 Judging at your school.
- A maximum of ONE submission per class or club should be submitted by the teacher or advisor for Round 2 Judging.
- Round 2 submissions should be uploaded to the judging platform by March 16, 2026.
Atlanta Timeline
- August 13, 2025: Registration Opens
- January 19, 2026: The Challenge Begins
- March 2, 2026: Problem Statements Due
- March 16, 2026: Final Submissions Uploaded to Judging Platform
- March 25, 2026: Finale Participant Teams Selected
- April 15, 2026: In-person Finale Event for Metro-Atlanta
- May 2026 (Date TBA): Top 3 Teams each metro attend the Idea Incubator
Houston Timeline
- August 13, 2025: Registration Opens
- January 19, 2026: The Challenge Begins
- March 2, 2026: Problem Statements Due
- March 16, 2026: Final Submissions Uploaded to Judging Platform
- March 25, 2026: Finale Participant Teams Selected
- April 25, 2026: In-person Finale Event for Metro-Houston
- May 2026 (Date TBA): Top 3 Teams each metro attend the Idea Incubator
Miami Timeline
- August 13, 2025: Registration Opens
- December 19, 2025: Registration Closes
- January 19, 2026: Challenge Kickoff
- February 16, 2026: Problem Statements Due
- March 5, 2026: Final Submissions Due
- March 10, 2026: Notice Sent to Ten (10) Selected Finale Teams
- March 18, 2026: Finale Event for Metro-Miami
- May 2026 (Date TBA): Idea Incubator
Other Locations Timeline
If you are outside our metro-areas, please follow the below timeline:
- August 13, 2025: Registration Opens
- January 19, 2026: The Challenge Begins
- March 2, 2026: Problem Statements Due
- March 16, 2026: Final Submissions Uploaded to Judging Platform
- March 25, 2026: Finale Participant Teams Selected
- Date TBA, 2026: In-person Finale Event for virtual locations
- May 2026 (Date TBA): Top 3 Teams invited for a virtual idea incubator
Deliverables
There are two deliverables or final products each team should plan to submit for this Challenge:
- Green Heart Action Plan that describes your problem and your proposed solution
- Pitch video presenting your solution to your audience (maximum 2 minutes)
Review & Judging Criteria
- Problem Statement & Root Cause: Is the problem clearly defined and presented as a compelling problem to be addressed? Is the root cause of the problem identified and explained?
- Solution: Is the proposed solution clearly addressing the problem, and is the plan for HOW the team would go about implementing the solution clear and feasible?
- Research: Were credible sources used to support the problem statement and development of the solution?
- Measures of Success: Are there clearly defined measures of success that can indicate whether the solution is working or not?
- Impact & Equity: Is there a strong case made for the positive impact this solution will have on the community, and how it will benefit all people?
- Next Steps: Have you clearly outlined steps for taking your solution to the next stage and make a clear ask for support from your audience?
- Video Persuasiveness & Creativity: Does the team's video pitch describe the problem and solution creatively and persuasively?
Judging & Prizes
- Round 1 Submissions will be judged by each classroom or club
- Round 2 Submissions will be judged by Team Planet
- Ten (10) Finalist Teams will be selected to present as part of the finale events in each market during April Earth Month
- At the Finale Event, each finalist team will have the opportunity to pitch their solution to a guest judge panel
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams from each metro area (Atlanta, Houston, and Miami) will be selected as the winners of the Green Heart STEM Challenge. All finalist team members will be invited to participate in the Idea Incubator, comprised of four (4) sessions in May. With your team appointed mentors, you will refine your project plan and budget in order to apply for an implementation grant of up to $1000 to fund your solution.
- Implementation grants will be issued to the Team Teacher or Advisor
Is your earth for all?
