A person with long hair kneels in grass while holding a camera and taking a photograph.

CAVU Student Showcase

See the Future They're Creating

Stories of Climate Innovation

Every video in our showcase represents a young person who refused to accept that their future is frightening.

Through the Climate Innovation Challenge, students identify what they care about in their communities, design solutions to protect it, and share their innovations with the world.

These aren’t just videos — they’re proof that hope is the most powerful tool for addressing climate change.

Seven students in school uniforms participate in an outdoor activity under palm trees, with a “Student Showcase: Climate Innovation Challenge” banner displayed above them.

2026 CAVU Student Showcase

To more easily share the amazing projects and ideas submitted to this year's Student Showcase, CAVU will be announcing this year's winners beginning April 27th through the end of May, online at cavu.org, YouTube, and via our social media channels @CAVUorg. We encourage you to learn more by exploring this year's award categories, past showcases, and the amazing community the Student Showcase brings together each and every year!
Judging Process

Recognizes student teams whose projects demonstrate strong creativity, thoughtful problem-solving, and meaningful potential, standing out among a highly competitive field. These entries reflect the spirit of innovation and action at the heart of the Climate Innovation Challenge.

Awarded to the student team that developed a solution that is both realistic and actionable, with clear potential to be implemented in the real world. This project stands out for its feasibility, clarity, and ability to address a tangible climate challenge.

Recognizes the team and/ord student that most powerfully communicates their idea through compelling storytelling—clearly explaining the problem, their solution, and why it matters. This award celebrates creativity, clarity, and the ability to inspire others through narrative.

Awarded to the project that demonstrates exceptional creativity and originality in both the idea and its presentation. This entry captures attention, sparks curiosity, and brings a fresh perspective to solving climate challenges.

Honors projects that excel across all areas: creativity, practicality, execution, and presentation. These entries represent some of the strongest overall submissions in the Climate Innovation Challenge.

Recognizes an implemented student solution with the greatest potential to create meaningful environmental and community impact. This project clearly demonstrates how it could improve lives and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The highest honor of the Showcase, selected for a project that best embodies CAVU’s mission—turning curiosity into action and hope. This entry stands out for its innovation, vision, and potential to inspire change at a broader scale.

Celebrates educators who empower students to think critically, collaborate creatively, and take action on climate challenges. These teachers play a vital role in guiding students from learning to real-world problem solving.

Hope in Action: Featured Awardees

CIC Founders' Award for Best in Show

Forest Nukes

Outstanding Entry - International

Radiant Harvest

Outstanding Entry - Elementary School

Mwakingali Primary Gabion Project Phase III

Outstanding Entry - High School

Hyacinth Paper

Best Storytelling - Elementary School

Cutback on plastic!!!

Best Storytelling - Middle School

Beyond Borders: A Biodiversity Saga

Most Effective Concept - Elementary School

Small kitchen farming through sunken beds

Most Effective Concept - Middle School

The Bright Future Of Recycled Solar Panels

Most Effective Concept - High School

Greening the Greenhouse

Most Creative - Elementary School

How to Put Out a Fire

Most Creative - Middle School

Recycling Clothes

Most Creative - High School

New Mexico Cougars & Climate Change

Want even more hope in action? Check out all the award-winning student video entries on the CAVU YouTube channel.