President's Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) Winners
Each year, EPA recognizes national winners of the President's Environmental Youth Award (PEYA)
2025 Winners
Award Category Grade K-5
Project Name: Quiet please: Protecting the Ocean’s Voice
By: Kiara Mathur
Location: Ashburn, Virginia
Barrington, Rhode Island
Project Environmental Focus Area: Water quality and/or litter within waterways
"Quiet Please: Listen to the Ocean's Voice" is a project led by Kiara, a kindergartner from Virginia that highlights the often-overlooked issue of underwater noise pollution and its impact on marine life, including whales, dolphins, and fish. Unlike many ocean conservation efforts that focus on plastic pollution, this initiative emphasizes the invisible threat posed by noise from boats, ships, and machinery, which disrupts marine communication, navigation, and survival. Kiara conducted hands-on experiments such as the "Whale Song Challenge," demonstrating how simulated boat noise muffles whale sounds, and the "Lost Fish" game, illustrating how background noise causes confusion for sea creatures. To raise awareness, Kiara created posters and a short video and visited a local aquarium to study marine communication. Her project underscores the importance of recognizing the ocean's voice and promotes efforts to reduce underwater noise to protect marine ecosystems. By blending science, creativity, and observation, her project calls for greater attention to this critical environmental issue, encouraging individuals to consider the effects of noise on ocean health and to take action to safeguard marine life.
Project Name: Safeguarding the Salish Sea: Edmonds Underwater Park
By: Hazelwood Elementary Fourth/Fifth Grade Class - Malia Nymeyer, Takumi Tanimara, Kaleb Wolde, and Avery Poisal
Location: Edmonds, Washington
Project Environmental Focus Area: Sustainability
Inspired by a local conservationist known as “Ocean Annie,” fourth and fifth graders from Hazelwood Elementary launched a powerful multimedia project to raise awareness about the Salish Sea and Edmonds Underwater Park. Through science, storytelling, and art, the students created a documentary exploring the park’s biodiversity, conducted interviews with marine experts, and researched local conservation efforts. Their work reached more than 1,000 community members through screenings at the Environmental Youth Summit, state science conferences, and the Cascadia Art Museum. To further amplify their message, students collaborated with a local artist to create a portrait series honoring community members engaged in environmental protection, displayed in the museum for seven months. Their integrated approach—blending art, advocacy, and environmental science—demonstrates the power of youth-led education to protect marine ecosystems and inspire civic action. The project highlights how even elementary students can play a key role in safeguarding the future of critical habitats like the Salish Sea
Award Category Grade 6-12
Project Name: Be a Zero Hero
By: Kenneth Shue and Justin Jiang
Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland
Project Environmental Focus Area: Recycling
The "Be a Zero Hero" initiative, founded by Kenneth and Justin, addresses the important issue of plastic waste, particularly the widespread use of plastic bags and film, which contribute significantly to pollution. Based in Montgomery County, Maryland, the student-led program focuses on education, direct action, and outreach to empower individuals to reduce their plastic waste and create a community of "Zero Heroes." The initiative has organized over 50 community events, distributed multilingual educational materials and developed family recycling kits to simplify recycling practices. Through strategic collaborations, the program has engaged over 7,000 individuals and established 21 recycling stations, collecting over 2,000 pounds of plastic film for conversion into composite materials. Efforts to promote change included testifying before the Montgomery County Public School Board of Education and the Montgomery County Council, promoting systemic change through policies like the "Bring Your Own Bag" bill. Recognized for its impact, the initiative has received support from grants and local agencies, exemplifying youth-led community action in environmental conservation. With ongoing efforts, "Be a Zero Hero" continues to inspire and mobilize communities to reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
Project Name: Breaking Down Ocean Plastics with Genetically Engineered Marine Bacteria to Degrade Polyurethane Microplastics
By: David Zhang He
Location: San Diego, California
Project Environmental Focus Area: Water infrastructure, water quality and/or litter within waterways
David tackled the global crisis of plastic pollution by developing a pioneering bioreactor that uses genetically modified marine bacteria to break down polyurethane microplastics. Combining synthetic biology with environmental engineering, David’s project simulates ocean environments to test the effectiveness of enzymes capable of degrading plastic waste. Collaborating with researchers, he designed a 3D prototype bioreactor that shows promising early results in reducing plastic debris. His long-term vision includes deploying this system in oceans, rivers, and recycling centers to support large-scale environmental cleanup. With roughly 100 million tons of plastic waste polluting our oceans, David’s innovation offers a science-driven path forward. He also plans to involve communities through outreach and education to further refine his project and raise awareness of sustainable solutions. David’s work illustrates how cutting-edge STEM research, when paired with environmental passion, can lead to transformative change.
Project Name: LeAF: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Promote Environmentally Sustainable Agricultural Practices with Pesticide and Chemical Reduction for Farmers
By: Aditya Sengupta
Location: Bellevue, Washington
Project Environmental Focus Area: Agricultural practices, artificial intelligence, sustainability and using STEM in environmental education
Aditya developed LeAF, an AI-powered precision agriculture tool designed to minimize chemical usage in farming while promoting environmental health. LeAF uses computer vision to detect pests in real time and recommend targeted, minimal pesticide application—reducing chemical use by up to 60%. Aditya’s project features a mobile app, a field-test robot, and a cloud-based analytics platform. Through partnerships with farmers and environmental nonprofits, he field-tested the system and gathered data to improve its accuracy and scalability. His outreach included workshops at local universities and presentations to farming communities, ensuring LeAF is both scientifically robust and accessible. By bridging machine learning with sustainable farming practices, Aditya is addressing a global challenge with local impact. His work promotes environmental literacy while empowering agricultural communities to adopt smarter, more sustainable methods. LeAF is a model for how STEM innovation can lead to a healthier planet and a more resilient food system.
Project Name: Lucile’s Pollinator Project
By: Lucile Morehouse
Location: Boswell, Oklahoma
Project Environmental Focus Area: Agricultural practices, sustainability, STEM in environmental education
When a tornado destroyed her mother’s beehives, Lucile channeled that moment into a nationwide call to action. At just 11 years old, she launched “Lucile’s Pollinator Project” to raise awareness about pollinator decline and support healthy ecosystems. What began as a local outreach initiative in rural Oklahoma quickly expanded into a global movement. Lucile distributed native wildflower seed packets, hosted interactive workshops, and collaborated with organizations to create pollinator habitats in 34 U.S. states and several countries. As a Global Youth Ambassador, Lucile uses her platform to teach communities about the dangers of habitat loss and pesticide use, incorporating hands-on tools like clay seed balls and visual presentations to make learning accessible and engaging. Her work combines STEM education with grassroots environmental action, all with the goal of protecting vital pollinator species and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. Through community partnerships and global outreach, Lucile exemplifies how one young leader can spark meaningful environmental change.
Project Name: Reviving Citrus, Reviving Florida
By: Tanishka Aglave
Location: Valrico, Florida
Project Environmental Focus Area: Agricultural practices, sustainability, STEM in environmental education
Growing up on a citrus farm in Florida, Tanishka witnessed the devastating impact of Citrus Greening Disease, which drastically reduced the state's citrus production. Determined to help revitalize the industry, she developed a sustainable and eco-friendly treatment using curry leaf extract, which shows promise as a biological bactericide against this disease. After conducting extensive lab research and field trials, the treatment demonstrated significant efficacy, offering a potential alternative to harmful chemical pesticides. Recognized by institutions like the USDA and Cornell University, her research earned accolades at national science fairs. To promote sustainable agriculture, she launched a two-year campaign involving the planting of over 1,500 citrus trees and distributing disease management kits to farmers across Florida. Collaborating with agricultural organizations, she empowered farmers with innovative solutions and conducted workshops to spread awareness. Observing a lack of knowledge among younger audiences, she published "The Story of Oranges," a children's book to educate them on the citrus crisis and sustainable practices. The Reviving Citrus Initiative not only aims to preserve Florida's agricultural heritage but also serves as a model for environmental sustainability, inspiring solutions to agricultural challenges worldwide.
Project Name: Project Deer
By: Siddhi Singh
Location: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Project Environmental Focus Area: Artificial intelligence, sustainability, using STEM in environmental education
Project Deer is a youth-driven initiative aimed at addressing the critical issue of wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs), which endanger wildlife, human lives, and cause substantial economic losses. Siddhi, inspired by a personal experience with a deer collision in Colorado, embarked on this project to find a sustainable solution. The initiative focuses on ecological engineering, integrating engineering and ecology to design systems that protect wildlife while maintaining transportation efficiency. Siddhi engaged with experts from Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, discovering the significant challenges posed by WVCs, including public safety and ecological impact. Current solutions like wildlife overpasses and fencing are effective but costly and impractical for widespread implementation. Project Deer aims to develop a cost-effective device that can be easily installed on vehicles, utilizing infrared technology and machine learning models for real-time animal detection. The project has garnered support from organizations, including a $12,000 grant from Samsung. Through community engagement and educational outreach, Project Deer raises awareness about WVCs, promoting sustainable practices. The initiative provides scalable solutions and aims to inspire communities to participate in environmental stewardship.
Project Name: The Wellness Garden at Brandywine Assisted Living
By: Girl Scout Troop 427 - Kaitlyn Waterman, Sarah Furlong, Miranda Kucyk, and Julia Schenck
Location: Howell, New Jersey
Project Environmental Focus Area: School gardens, sustainability, using STEM in environmental education
The Wellness Garden at Brandywine Assisted Living in New Jersey was developed by Kaitlyn, Sarah, Miranda, and Julia to bring the benefits of gardening to seniors facing mobility challenges. Recognizing the therapeutic effects of gardening, such as reduced stress and improved memory, the team created an indoor, wheelchair-accessible garden bed. They collaborated with community members, including a botanist, to select suitable indoor plants and educate residents about gardening's mental and physical health benefits. They secured a donation of lumber and worked together to build, stain and paint the garden bed. The project involved community engagement through presentations at farmers markets and scout workshops, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. By fostering an inclusive green space, the initiative enhanced the quality of life for seniors and inspired community members to create accessible gardens. The project addressed the need for sustainable green spaces, enriching the lives of often overlooked individuals and promoting environmental awareness. The team demonstrated innovation by adapting their approach to accommodate the unique needs of the memory care unit, ensuring all residents could benefit from gardening. This social innovation not only enriched the lives of seniors but also promoted environmental stewardship and community involvement.
Project Name: Sustainable Fisheries Habitat/Breeding Cube Stewardship Project
By: Archer Grier
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Project Environmental Focus Area: Recycling, sustainability, water infrastructure and water quality and/or litter within waterways
After witnessing a devastating fish kill in Cedar Lake, Archer was inspired to take action. Collaborating with local biologists and scouts, he designed and deployed a sustainable breeding cube constructed from repurposed materials like PVC pipe and drainage tubing. The cube was placed with precision using GPS and sonar technology, and within hours of deployment, it attracted fish. Archer’s project combined scientific research, environmental engineering, and youth engagement to address habitat loss in local fisheries. He hosted a hands-on “Construction Campout,” mobilizing peers to build additional habitat cubes and learn about sustainable fishing practices. His initiative not only revitalized the aquatic ecosystem but also sparked community interest and boosted local angling-related businesses. The project aligns with Kansas Parks and Wildlife Service goals and demonstrates how creative youth-led solutions can strengthen environmental health and economic vitality. Archer’s stewardship reflects a deep commitment to conservation and showcases the potential of applied STEM to solve real-world challenges.
Project Name: Water Chestnut Awareness on Lake Quinsigamond
By: Caeley Gale
Location: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
Project Environmental Focus Area: Water quality and/or litter within waterways
Motivated by firsthand experiences rowing on Lake Quinsigamond, Caeley identified invasive water chestnuts as a significant ecological threat, prompting her to address the issue for her Girl Scout Gold Award. Her project focused on raising awareness and recruiting volunteers for water chestnut removal, partnering with the Lake Quinsigamond Watershed Association. Caeley conducted over 15 hours of research and created presentations and pamphlets to educate community members, reaching over 100 people. She organized three removal events, accumulating 130 volunteer hours to remove 2,281 pounds of water chestnuts. Her efforts emphasized the importance of community involvement and environmental stewardship, promoting physical removal as the most effective method due to the impracticality of chemical and mechanical solutions. Caeley's project not only improved water quality by reducing sediment and dissolved oxygen levels but also fostered long-term community engagement, encouraging locals to continue removal efforts independently. Through creative recruitment strategies, including graphics and social media, she successfully mobilized volunteers across a range of ages, contributing to the conservation of Lake Quinsigamond's ecosystem. Her project culminated in earning her Girl Scout Gold Award.