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Young leaders will present the impact of their school-year work at Scraplanta Creative Reuse on May 4th starting at 5:30pm

ATLANTA (May 1, 2023)–Community members and the press are invited to celebrate and learn from Atlanta-area youth and educators who are working to improve the sustainability of their school communities. The first annual showcase will feature data-driven, STEM-based, sustainability projects designed by K–12 students from across the Atlanta metro area that solve a social or environmental issue in their school community. Student teams brought their projects to life this spring by applying for EcoRise’s Student Innovation Fund, in which students must complete a campus environmental audit in one or more areas of sustainability (e.g. water, waste, energy, food) and design a project to address an issue identified during the audit. The student-designed projects must either reduce the campus’s environmental footprint or create public awareness around environmental issues.

“We are excited to continue supporting our community’s students who want to excel in the field of sustainability and climate change,” said Beth Churchill, a community impact consultant with the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact. “This showcase is an opportunity for the students to become leaders and serve as change agents in their communities.”

“Showcasing provides these young leaders an opportunity to share their passion and ingenuity with their community and demonstrate the lasting environmental impact their work will have,” said Jon Stott, EcoRise Executive Director. “EcoRise is proud to support their work and know their projects will inspire other educators, students, and adults to get involved in local sustainability efforts.”

EcoRise has been funding student innovation projects across the U.S. since 2015. Thanks to partnership and financial support from the American Family Institiute for Corporate and Social Impact and Southwest Airlines®, EcoRise has been able to fund more than $3,300 in micro-grants in Atlanta this school year. Students are leading projects to renew school gardens, upcycle leather donated by the Southwest Airline Repurpose with Purpose Goes to School program, and increase access to outdoor learning.

“We’re thrilled to partner with EcoRise to bring an innovative, sustainability-focused learning opportunities to students across Atlanta,” shared Ana Schwager, Senior Community Outreach Program Manager at Southwest Airlines. “We believe these opportunities – whether developing real-life sustainability solutions or crafting products and artwork with upcycled Southwest seat leather – can help inspire students to imagine a more sustainable world. Helping students soar is at the Heart of what we do!”

To RSVP for the 1st Annual Atlanta Student Innovation Showcase, please visit ATLshowcase23.eventbrite.com.

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About the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact
The American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact is a venture capital firm and partner of choice for exceptional entrepreneurs who are building scalable, sustainable businesses in a long-term effort to close equity gaps in America. It also recognizes that capacity building and supporting organizations and experts who have been working toward social causes are equally important in making a positive impact within our communities around the country.

About EcoRise
EcoRise mobilizes a new generation of leaders to design healthy, just, and thriving communities for all. The national non-profit organization offers a range of curricula and programs for students, teachers, school districts, and partners, designed to advance environmental literacy, sustainable schools, and equitable access to green career pathways. EcoRise is currently supporting more than 8,000 teachers in helping over 400,000 students solve real-world sustainability challenges concerning energy, water, waste, transportation, air quality, food, and public spaces. To learn more about EcoRise, visit sandbox.ecorise.org.

                        

CONTACT:
Laura Fuller, EcoRise
laura@ecorise.org