12 Schools Recognized for Climate Change Projects

Area high school and middle school students receive awards for their approach to address the impacts of climate change

Atlantic City Electric, the Drumthwacket Foundation and Sustainable Jersey honored 12 student teams for their New Jersey Student Climate Challenge action projects that address the causes and impacts of climate change at the local level. Student teams, from high schools and middle schools across New Jersey, were tasked with developing and executing a school or community-based climate action project and creating a digital story video to share what they accomplished.

Submissions from schools within the Atlantic City Electric service area were considered for the Atlantic City Electric Student Climate Challenge awards and all other submissions were considered for the New Jersey Student Climate Challenge awards. The student team winners and their teacher mentors were recognized at recent award ceremonies hosted by the Drumthwacket Foundation with New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy.

“Every year, it is an honor to host these bright young minds and future leaders of the green economy for the Annual NJ Student Climate Challenge Action Project Awards,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “As New Jersey continues to lead the nation in K-12 climate change education, these projects – ranging from planting trees to reduce air pollution and mitigate flooding to transforming a neglected greenhouse into a space for growing local produce – are a harbinger of how our students will tackle the serious threat of climate change. I am incredibly optimistic about the future of our planet because of these students’ creativity and perseverance.”

The New Jersey Student Climate Challenge is a program funded by Atlantic City Electric, that was created to recognize the growing role young people play in addressing climate change. The initiative builds on New Jersey’s efforts to increase climate literacy among young people across the state, including its first-in-the-nation effort to incorporate climate change education across all K-12 state academic standards.

“We are proud of all the participants for providing innovative ways to combat the very real threat of climate change. Their creative and unique approaches showcased the bright future ahead for generations to come,” said Kristin McEvoy, director of external affairs, Atlantic City Electric. “The winning projects are examples of our purpose in creating this program – engage our younger generation to make changes that can impact their communities, not just in the future, but right now.”

Atlantic City Electric Student Climate Challenge High School Category Winners

• First Place: Green Thumbs Team from Atlantic City High School, Atlantic City School District, Atlantic County
• Second Place: Clothing Reuse Team from Penns Grove High School, Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District, Salem County
• Third Place: Garden Team from Penns Grove High School, Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District, Salem County
• Third Place: Clearview Environmental Club Team from Clearview Regional High School, Clearview Regional High School District, Gloucester County

Atlantic City Electric Student Climate Challenge Middle School Category Winners

• First Place: Gifted & Talented Team from Penns Grove Middle School, Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District, Salem County
• Second Place: Davies Climate Resilience Team from William Davies Middle School, Hamilton Township School District, Atlantic County

New Jersey Student Climate Challenge High School Category Winners

• First Place: Green Team from Highland Park High School, Highland Park Public Schools, Middlesex County
• Second Place: Thriftwood Team from Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Monmouth County Vocational School District, Monmouth County
• Third Place: Environmental Club Team from Metuchen High School, Metuchen School District, Middlesex County

New Jersey Student Climate Challenge Middle School Category Winners

• First Place: Wild Over Worms Team from Green Brook Middle School, Green Brook Township Public Schools, Somerset County
• Second Place: The Alliance Team from JP Case Middle School, Flemington-Raritan Regional School District, Hunterdon County
• Third Place: Climate Action and Sustainability Team from Rosa International Middle School, Cherry Hill Public Schools, Camden County

Winners were selected by a panel of judges that included educators and representatives from local non-profits, state agencies and the partner organizations. Winning schools received a grant to support their climate education initiatives.

The NJ Student Climate Challenge was open to New Jersey public schools with students in grades 6-12 across the state. Middle and high school students were encouraged to identify and complete a school or community project to address a cause or impact of climate change. The students then created a short digital story video to highlight what they accomplished. Students participated through their respective schools.