Changemaker Green Challege Inspiration!
Not sure where to start? Here are some environmental problems that need solutions and ideas for related projects:
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Biodiversity loss is happening at an alarming rate.
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Your project could involve planting native gardens or restoring a natural area.
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The world needs more rapid deployment of technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emission.
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You could advocate for better clean energy policies at the local, state or national level or invent a device that generates or stores clean energy.
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Everyone can see that there is simply too much plastic waste.
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How about educating the community or your school on the right way to recycle or starting a business that incorporates reuse over single-use plastics?
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Your friends, neighbors, and families are not talking about climate change enough. When we talk about it, it creates cultural shifts and generates political will.
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You could write a short story or screenplay with climate change as the backdrop or start a climate club at your school.
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What’s your idea?
Prompts/Questions that can help you think through a project idea:
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Does this project educate or help others?
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How will this project make an impact in the community?
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What is my plan for implementation?
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How will this project continue or endure (if applicable)?
More Inspiration!
Get Inspired by Past BLAST Projects!
Past Challenge participants have used science, engineering, business, policy, gardening, communication, and art skills for their projects. Feel free to build on their ideas. We can even try to connect you to the person/people who created a previous project for potential collaboration.
Science/Engineering
The number of science and engineering projects that can be done for a Changemaker Green Challenge project are limitless. Below are a few ideas to get you thinking. Your proposal should include not just the engineering project, but how you are going to implement it in the community.
Education
Climate communication research confirms that many people of all ages do not know enough about climate change and environmental protection to take action. Your education project could amplify your influence, creating broader change in the community. For your Changemaker Green Challeng project, you'll need to both create the educational programming and make a plan for publicizing it. For example, if you are creating a website, how will people find out about it? Or if you make a presentation, how will you get an audience? Or how will you get followers on social media for educational videos? Here are just a few ideas for topics for which you can create educational programming.
Environmental impacts of artificial intelligence
Gas → electric cooking for cleaner indoor air
SolarPunk: Envisioning the Future in a Green & Realistic Way
Waste Reduction
Through upcycling, thrifting, art, and education, your project could reduce the amount of waste that goes to the landfill. Your Changemaker Green Challenge project should include a plan to teach others or to sell or share your creations.
Environmental and Climate Policy
A former Challenge winner, Grace, helped write and pass the Illinois law that requires climate change education in public schools. You too could write a state or municipal law or change policy in your school district. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking.
Accelerate adoption of solar through legislation: Permitting balcony solar
Advocate for a Climate Action Plan for your city or school district
Work with a state official to pass Superfund for Climate Change legislation
Organize a rally or petition, like Power a Better Future
Nature-Based Solutions
Former Challenge participant, Sabrina, created a tiny forest at her school. You can also support nature by restoring an ecosystem, conducting ecological research, planting a garden, and more!
Plant an edible school garden
Organize a group to help restore a natural area, for example, with DuPage Forest Preserve
Conduct a community science project on climate change
Do an insect population survey
