Samsung Electronics America and the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) are proud to announce the winners of the 2021 Climate Superstars Challenge, an online environmental education contest presented by NEEF, Samsung, and the EPA's ENERGY STAR® program.
Throughout the month of October, middle school classrooms across the country completed daily learning tasks geared towards environmental literacy and energy efficiency. Classes that completed at least seven tasks were automatically entered into a drawing to win up to $30,000 in total prizes.
“We received such positive feedback from educators who utilized Climate Superstars activities to spur important discussions and learning around topics like climate change and renewable energy,” said Meri-Margaret Deoudes, president and CEO of NEEF. “We look forward to incorporating additional educator feedback into next year's Challenge.”
This year, classes were given more time to complete each of the collaborative educational activities, as well as access to an online forum where educators could ask questions and share teaching strategies with other participants.
“It is crucial that we increase engagement among young people on this critical environmental issue,” said Jill Vohr, marketing lead, ENERGY STAR Labeling Branch. “We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with Samsung and NEEF on another successful year of Climate Superstars.”
The contest drawing was held on November 8. Six winners were selected to receive prizes courtesy of Samsung, with one lucky school winning the grand prize: a live performance from AY Young—musician, entertainer, and United Nations advocate for global energy sustainability—as part of his Battery Tour, which is powered by 100% renewable energy.
“AY has been the perfect partner as we work together to advance climate literacy,” said Mark Newton, head of corporate sustainability for Samsung Electronics in North America. “His dedication and enthusiasm has been inspiring, and we can't thank him enough for his collaboration on the Climate Superstars program.”
Marcia Berger, at Crystal Lake Middle School in Lakeland, Florida, is the grand prize winner of the 2021 Climate Superstars Challenge. In addition to a $5,000 e-voucher to use on new classroom technology, AY Young will perform live for all students at Crystal Lake Middle School.
“Congratulations to Ms. Berger and her students for winning the grand prize,” said Young. “I can't wait to bring the Battery Tour to your school! To all the students out there who didn't win, remember: life is full of challenges, but you should always keep reaching for what you want. Never forget—you're all Climate Superstars.”
The full list of awardees is below. Each school will receive a $5,000 e-voucher from Samsung to purchase new technology for their classrooms:
- Marcia Berger, Crystal Lake Middle School, Lakeland, Florida
- Samantha Barry, Canarelli Middle School, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Jill Hermsen, Oconto Middle School, Oconto, Wisconsin
- Kate Czapla, Perkiomen Valley Middle School East, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
- Donita Legoas, AR Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School, Augusta, Georgia
- Connie Staley, Goddard Middle School, Goddard, Kansas
Watch the video announcement from AY Young.