Past Challenge Projects

2025–26 Challenge:

In 2025-26, 10 outstanding teams rose to the challenge with projects spanning solar, heat pumps, public transit, energy efficiency, and more.

Concord-Carlisle High School

Project: Induction Cookstoves

Project: Induction Cooktops Educational Promotion
This team ran an educational campaign promoting the benefits of induction cooking as a cleaner, safer alternative to gas — raising awareness in their community about energy-efficient cooking technology.

Students: Allison Sheppard, Iliana Benson, Theresa Green, Zoe Gryniewicz, Audrey Benson, Evan Hultgren

Faculty Advisor: Rebecca Meeks

Framingham High School

Project: Bridges & Blooms

Project: The Art of Sustainability
Led by the Framingham Environmental Awareness Club, this team created a sustainability-focused art and education campaign highlighting the connection between nature, community, and sustainable local action — including infographics, a sustainable farm model, plant planting activities, and interactive games.

Students: Framingham Environmental Awareness Club

Faculty Advisors: Katherine Maher & Rebecca Maynard

Holliston High School

Project: Unplug It!

Project: Educating the community to create behavioral change to reduce energy use and emissions

This team focused on practical energy reduction, encouraging households and local businesses to cut phantom energy use through community education and behavior-change outreach.

Students: Andrew Ferguson, Chase Ricupero, Colin Ehret, Avin Hemarante, Jack Firmani, Parv Patel, Benjamin Rebello

Faculty Advisor: Doug Calais

Lexington High School

Project: Promoting LexPress

Project: Promoting public transportation and working with local leaders to add more LexPress bus stops

This team championed public transit in Lexington, campaigning to raise awareness of the LexPress bus service and advocating with local officials for expanded routes and stops — a smart, systems-level approach to reducing car dependency.

Students: Noe Voskuil, Rahini Konakanchi, Naavya Shah, Rucha Daphal, Elnaz Khosraviani

Faculty Advisors: Esther Sohn Jun / Maggie Peard

Milford High School

Project: Clean Electricity

Project: Clean Electric Energy Outreach

This team tackled the challenge of educating Milford residents about the town's community electricity program, promoting renewable energy options and helping households understand how to lower their carbon footprint through clean electricity choices.

Students: Katelyn Kearnan, Angelina Bonina, Madeline Hamilton, Samantha DeNegris

Faculty Advisor: Tim Walsh

Nauset Regional High School

Project: Clean Energy For You

Project: Informational Campaign About Heat Pumps

Based on Cape Cod, this team ran an informational campaign to educate their community about heat pumps as a cleaner, more efficient alternative to traditional heating systems — holding community presentations and outreach events.

Students: Genevieve Smith, Saige Hathaway, Hannah Pranga, Sophia Quinton, Malia Washington, Chiara Castro

Faculty Advisor: Luke Simpson

Newton North High School

Project: Newton Youth Energizers

Project: Motivate 100+ Newton households to sign up for Mass Save Home Energy Assessment

With an ambitious and measurable target, this team set out to get over 100 Newton households to sign up for the Mass Save Home Energy Assessment — connecting neighbors with free energy audits and efficiency upgrades through door-to-door outreach and community engagement.

Students: Madeline Rhine, Leyla Gustin, Alicia Qiu, Nevie Lee, Kendall Swint, Cindy Qiao, Ella Hamel, Theo Evangelinos

Faculty Advisor: Marcia Cooper

Northampton High School

Project: A Carbon Neutral City

Project: Interactive digital map of Northampton's carbon sequestration showing long-term impact of greener actions

This team built an interactive digital platform mapping Northampton's carbon sequestration data, making it easier for residents, organizations, and city officials to understand their community's carbon footprint and take informed steps toward net-zero. They engaged directly with the municipal government, Sustainability Committee, and Planning and Development Committee.

Students: Mazen Abdul-Knerr, Daniil Kunhurtsev, Taj Abdul-Knerr, Griffin Edmands, Orion Phelps, Elian Ortizviera

Faculty Advisor: Josh Finkel

Stoughton High School

Project: Greenify Stoughton

Project: Reduce inequities in energy-efficient practices while helping homes become greener and more resilient

This team tackled the critical issue of energy equity, working to ensure that energy-efficient practices and resources are accessible to all Stoughton residents — not just those with more financial means. A thoughtful and important contribution to the challenge of a just clean energy transition.

Students: Gahelle Galette, Jennifer Verdieu

Faculty Advisor: Peter Law

The Bromfield High School

Project: Harnessing the Sun

Project: Educating people on solar energy, both solar panels and solar farms

This team designed and delivered a student solar seminar, educating their Harvard community about the benefits of solar panels and solar farms and helping residents connect with solar vendors and programs. Their clear, practical approach made renewable energy feel accessible and achievable.

Students: Veronica Welsh, Flora Poutasse, Kimberly Chen

Faculty Advisors: Ellen Leicher & Joshua Clarke

🏆 Award Winners

After a rigorous review of each team's campaign portfolio by our panel of expert reviewers, we are thrilled to announce the 2025–26 prize winners: