Building
Leadership
Around
Sustainable
Transformation

BLAST Competition

for high school students

The BLAST Competition is a challenge for high school students to develop projects that reduce waste, promote sustainable living, enhance biodiversity, and more, utilizing a variety of disciplines, from coding to gardening to art. Students teams are paired with mentors to develop and implement their projects.

Your project could win up to $1000!

Looking for Inspiration for Your BLAST Project?

BLAST Project Ideas

Steps to Participate

BLAST Google Calendar

Get inspired! Watch the video above, review the BLAST 2024 and 2025 pages and peruse our BLAST Project Ideas page to find out the types of projects that qualify for the BLAST Competition. If you already have an idea, jump to the next step!

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Complete the interest form (you don't have to have figured out your project details).

Gather your team. If you can't find collaborators, we can help! You must work with at least one other person!

Join us at an information session in January to learn more and get your questions answered. Sign-up here. It's too late to join an information session now, but you can view the slides here.

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Complete the BLAST application - deadline is January 31, 2026.

Review the BLAST Participant Resources, which include detailed instructions. If you missed the BLAST Information Session, you can review the slides here.

Use Slack to set up at least 2 meetings with your mentor on zoom. Options for when to meet can be found on the BLAST Calendar.

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Write and submit your proposal - due March 27, 2026 (tentative).

Pitch your project in the BLAST Competition - April 23, 2026, DuPage Children's Museum.

Looking for instructions, forms, or more information, click a button below.

BLAST Interest Form

BLAST Application Form

BLAST Participant Resources

BLAST Competition

Quick Facts

1. Open to high school students in the Chicagoland area.

2. You may choose as many students as you want to be a part of your team

3. Your project can involve any discipline: science, technology, art, business, government, communication, education, etc. It can even be an extension of a class assignment.

4. Prize money can be used to fund your project or to further your education. This means your project does not need to require funding to qualify for BLAST.

5. After you apply for BLAST, you will be given clear instructions for how to meet with your mentor, what is required for your written proposal, and how to participate in the BLAST pitch night on April 23 (tentative).

6. At the BLAST pitch night ceremony, you will pitch your idea in front of a panel of judges. Plan for about 4 minutes to present and 4 minutes of questions.

7. Not quite sure where to start? Complete the interest form and someone will be in touch to get you started.

BLAST Internship Opportunity!

BLAST competitors can apply to the BLAST Summer 2026 internship program and get paid to implement their project or assist with Accelerate Climate Solutions' mission.

Internship Interest Form