The future is already here. It’s time to meet it.
What if the most promising climate solutions in the world weren’t coming from boardrooms… but from classrooms around the globe?
Across this year’s CAVU Student Showcase, students from around the world asked a simple question: “What can we do about climate change?”
The answer? Over 200 submissions to this year’s Student Showcase, representing communities far and wide, with climate solutions unique to their corner of the world, with knowledge we can all use in our own neighborhoods.
Introducing: 2026 Honorable Mentions 🎉
Before we announce this year’s top award winners, we’re proud to recognize an incredible group of student innovators whose work stood out among submissions from around the world.
These Honorable Mentions represent creativity, curiosity, and real-world problem solving at its best:
Africa Dung Beetle
Jeyna | Grade 5 | Little Humming Birds | Africa
Beyond a River
Vigiliance | Tenderfilova | Paige | Rachel | Gracia | Fidelia | Hanifa | Garcia | Grade 6, 7, 9 | Homeschool program | Africa
The Carbon Footprint of a Big Mac
Christiana | Nadia | Fieldstone Middle School | New Jersey, USA
Carbon Emissions Caused by Dog Food Production
Cordelia | Mila | Grade 6 | Pierrepont School | New Jersey
Daily Paper Waste
Arjun Agarwal | Grade 6 | Pierrepont School | New Jersey, USA
The Dark Side of Party Decorations
Santhosi | Grade 8 | Independent Submission | India
Eco-Friendly Soccer Jerseys
Kiley | Grade 7 | Santa Fe Prep | New Mexico, USA
Extreme Heat and Oyster Shells
Braxton | Grade 6 | Sage International School | Idaho, USA
Fish Migration and Population
Coco | Thea | Grade 6 | Sage International School | Idaho, USA
Green Impact Innovators
Ben | Pheima | Vincent | Laurence | Nashon | Grade 6-8 | St. Mary’s Nyalenda Comprehensive School | Kenya
Green Sprout Initiative
Huntington | Antonio | Ivy | George | Olivia | Itham | Ramsey | Sarah | Silvia | Hilton | George | Eugene | Martha | Maryanne | Stephen | Moses | Mathews | Ricky | Franklin | Grade 6-8 | Kudho Comprehensive School | Kenya
Let’s Catch Carbon!
David, Leo, Greyson, Wyatt | Smithville Elementary | New Jersey, USA
Lifting Ourselves Up
Oliver Reich | Grade 7 | Santa Fe Preparatory School | New Mexico, USA
The Plant Antidote
Clara | Precious | Letish | Britney | Natasha | Clantex | Valentine | Robinson | Fammy | Gidieon | Brazil | Blackcedes | Brighton| Grade 6-7 | Tego Comprehensive School | Kenya
Paper Thing
Christian | Andrew | Grade 6 | Homeschool Program | Africa
Plastic: The Green Gold
Austine | Vickridges | Elvis | Cythia | Tracy | Gertrude | Blessings | Roshen | Catherine, Bruce | Kayden | Valcastine | Petronilla | Veliany | Grade 6-8 | Guluma Comprehensive School | Africa
Service Through Sustainability
Hayagreev | Anusha | Veduruvada | Godha | Anika | Madhura | Karen | Jassmitha | Grade 10 & 12 | Chirec International School | India
Sustainable Rock Climbing
Sammy | Grade 7 | Santa Fe Preparatory School | New Mexico, USA
Waste to Gold
Nicole | Grade 9 | Homeschool Program| Africa
Congratulations to these bold, thoughtful, and creative projects which explore everything from food systems and waste to biodiversity, energy, and everyday consumer choices.
How This Year’s Showcase Works
This year, we’re doing things differently.
Instead of a single awards event, the CAVU Student Showcase is unfolding over several weeks, from now through May, bringing you closer to the students, stories, and solutions that empower our future.
Here’s how to follow along:
- Week of April 29th announcing CAVU Student Showcase kick off & Honorable Mentions (you are here)
- Each following Wednesday in May, winners will be announced at cavu.org/showcase, and @CAVUorg on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
- Full student videos are released on our @CAVUorg YouTube
- Award Categories and Announcements:
- May 6 – Best Storytelling & Most Practical and Effective Concept
- May 13 – Outstanding Entry & Most Creative and Engaging Project
- May 20 – Most Impactful & Founder’s Award
- May 27 – To Be Announced (it’s a secret)
Hi, I'm Jordan
Switzerland
Jordan is a sixth generation Texan, born and raised. However, her interest in cultures, languages, and people took her far from her roots. She graduated from the American University of Paris with a Bachelor of Science in International Economics in 1999. Wanting more global experience, Jordan moved to Istanbul, Turkey. Living with a Turkish family, she was immersed in local culture and language. She was employed by FinansInvest, a Turkish brokerage firm, for which she conducted quantitative analysis on the Istanbul Stock Exchange and financial reviews of listed companies.
View Full ProfileJordan's Recent Updates
View All Updates from JordanMore Posts You Might Like
Hope in Action Newsletter: What Happens When Students are Given the Tools to Build Hope?
What Happens When Students Are Given the Tools to Build Hope? As Education Director for CAVU, one of the most inspiring parts of my work…
2026 Student Showcase: Most Impactful and CIC Founder’s Award
We’re nearing the end of this year’s CAVU Student Showcase with our biggest awards remaining: The Most Impactful Award and the Climate Innovation Challenge Founder’s…
Unearthed Launch Event
CAVU is set to launch Unearthed: Exploring Oil & Gas Issues in New Mexico at the Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe on Thursday, November…
Double Drilling gets a Double Take!
We are thrilled to report that the newly appointed members of New Mexico’s Oil Conservation Commission have voted to suspend and rehear their recent order…