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Choose a Challenge. Measure it. Monitor it. Develop a Solution.

Each team will select one environmental challenge and develop a data-informed solution. Projects should include a measurable goal, evidence-based analysis, testing or evaluation of the proposed solution, and recommendations for improvement. Solutions may include engineering designs, scientific investigations, technology, educational initiatives, community programs, or policy recommendations.

Teams are encouraged to select one of the suggested challenge topics below. Other environmental challenges may be proposed with prior approval from the competition organizers. 

1. Microplastic Capture and Prevention

• Investigate the presence of microplastics in laundry water, controlled samples, or local water sources.
• Design and evaluate a filtration, capture, or prevention system.
• Compare removal efficiency, flow rate, durability, environmental impact, and cost.

2. Plastic Waste and Resource Recovery

• Analyze the types and sources of plastic waste within a school or community.
• Design a system for sorting, collecting, separating, or reusing plastic materials.
• Develop and evaluate a useful product, process, or program that promotes plastic waste reduction or resource recovery.

3. Stormwater Runoff and Urban Flooding

• Measure runoff volume and water quality from different model surfaces.
• Design and test permeable pavement, rain gardens, bioswales, or other stormwater management practices.
• Optimize the design for infiltration, pollutant removal, available space, and cost.

4. Harmful Algal Blooms and Nutrient Control

• Investigate how phosphorus, nitrogen, rainfall, and temperature influence harmful algal blooms.
• Design and evaluate a system that captures or reduces nutrient pollution before it reaches lakes or streams.
• Develop a monitoring or forecasting tool using weather and water-quality data.

5. Road Salt and Freshwater Salinization

• Measure the ice-melting performance, conductivity, and corrosion effects of different deicing materials.
• Compare alternative materials, application methods, or management practices.
• Design a strategy that balances road safety, cost, and freshwater protection.

6. Water Treatment and Reuse

• Measure selected water-quality characteristics before and after treatment.
• Build, test, or evaluate a treatment or water reuse system.
• Optimize contaminant removal, water recovery, energy use, and cost.

7. Rainwater Harvesting

• Measure potential rainwater capture from roofs of different sizes.
• Design a collection, storage, treatment, or reuse system.
• Optimize the system for irrigation, overflow control, water quality, and cost.

8. Coastal Erosion and Shoreline Protection

• Build a model that simulates waves and shoreline erosion.
• Compare seawalls, breakwaters, vegetation, and nature-based shoreline protection techniques.
• Optimize the design for erosion control, habitat protection, durability, and cost.

9. Food Waste and Composting Systems

• Measure food waste generated at a school or community site.
• Design, implement, or evaluate a composting, vermicomposting, collection, or food recovery system.
• Optimize decomposition rate, odor control, space requirements, and cost.

10. Urban Heat Islands

• Measure temperature differences among pavement, grass, rooftops, and shaded areas.
• Design and evaluate cooling strategies such as shade structures, green roofs, reflective materials, or increased vegetation.
• Compare temperature reduction, cost, environmental benefits, and practicality.

11. Energy-Efficient Buildings

• Measure heat loss, lighting use, or electricity consumption using model buildings or existing facilities.
• Evaluate insulation, windows, shading, lighting, or ventilation improvements.
• Optimize energy savings while maintaining occupant comfort, affordability, and sustainability.

12. Smart Environmental Monitoring

• Design a system that uses sensors, software, data analysis, artificial intelligence, or mobile technology to monitor environmental conditions.
• Collect and analyze environmental data such as air quality, water quality, weather, flooding, or energy use.
• Evaluate the system for accuracy, reliability, usability, cost, and potential community impact.