When the 2026 EARTH Challenge kicked off in January, students began learning about EARTH-related concepts, including food, forests, and soil. Then, Houston youth connected their lived experiences to local EARTH issues and potential solutions from a range of metro-Houston locations.
Their student-led solutions were submitted in early March, with each team proposing an Action Plan that addressed the root cause of their selected problem, identified relevant stakeholders, showcased credible research, and provided a detailed outline for project implementation. They also submitted a creative, two-minute video that shared their inspiration and project plans. From these projects, Team Planet recognized three standout solutions where students went above and beyond to benefit their communities.
On April 25, team planet recognized these three winning teams with a special awards ceremony during an Earth Day celebration hosted by Green Mountain Energy at Discovery Green.
These top three winning student teams from Houston’s Green Heart STEM Challenge were surrounded by attendees, including community members, nonprofits, and companies working to advance sustainability across Houston and were celebrated for their months of hard work, creativity, and collaboration in creating environmental solutions for their community.
Leesa Carter-Jones, CPF CEO, gave audience members the opportunity to hear about the future of environmental education, youth leadership, and sustainable innovation at a local scale.
This year’s winning teams EARTH-focused solutions and pitching projects addressing issues ranging from food waste to litter prevention and outdoor learning spaces. The next step for these winning teams will be an Idea Incubator, where they can learn how to turn their pitch into reality by working with Team Planet and Accenture project managers, and have the chance to earn an Implementation Grant of up to $1,000.
Thanks to support from Green Mountain Energy, CPF will return for the 2027 Green Heart STEM Challenge in Houston, with a focus on the FIRE element (renewable energy). Watch the interview with Leesa Carter-Jones on Earth Day with Mister McKinney & Friends.
Congratulations to all participants in this year’s Green Heart STEM Challenge! Team Planet can’t wait for next year, when Metro-Houston students tackle the 2027 FIRE Challenge, focusing on issues and solutions surrounding renewable energy, transportation electrification, and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels!
Listed below are the winning teams from the 2026 Houston EARTH Challenge:
First Place: Bio Space – Dueitt Middle School
Problem Statement: Dueitt Middle School currently lacks an engaging outdoor green space where students can participate in hands-on environmental learning and connect classroom lessons to real-world sustainability practices.
Solution: This team plans to create a student-designed green space on campus featuring raised garden beds, educational signage, and reflection areas that promote healthy eating, environmental stewardship, and outdoor learning opportunities.
Second Place: No Crumbs Left – Humble Middle School
Problem Statement: Unopened fruit and sealed snacks are frequently discarded in the school cafeteria, leading to preventable food waste due to the lack of a structured food recovery system.
Solution: The team proposes creating a student-led Food Recovery Station where students can place unopened food items for others to take later, helping reduce edible food waste in a safe and organized way.
Third Place: ECHO – Alief Middle School
Problem Statement: The school garden, located within a horseshoe-shaped building layout, has become a hotspot for litter, negatively affecting both the garden and the surrounding school environment.
Solution: This team plans to educate their school community on litter reduction through awareness campaigns, recycling and repurposing initiatives, and creative demonstrations that encourage students to rethink waste and sustainability.
Interested in participating in next year’s FIRE Challenge? Sign up for Green Heart STEM Challenge Updates!