Youth Energy Conference and Awards

Since our inception in 1980, NEED encourages and rewards student leadership and innovation by sponsoring an annual Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement. Schools participating in NEED’s programs are invited to submit digital portfolios of their energy activities – submission is free! Exceptional teachers and students are recognized for their efforts at both the state and national level.

For our 42nd year, we were back to an in-person conference in Washington, DC.  A fantastic team of NEED student interns and youth staff helped host over 260 teachers and students. Students had the opportunity to hear from a wonderful panel of professionals who work in the energy sector for insight into the various energy industries, tips on the career workforce, and fun fact.  Students also worked in grade-level teams on STEM Challenges that included creating energy-themed games (elementary level), building microgrids (intermediate level), and designing rollercoasters (secondary level). School groups got to tour Washington, DC, cruise the Potomac River on a dinner cruise, enjoy fun activities with other schools from across the nation, and were recognized during the Awards Ceremony for their winning school projects.

View all the fun with photos captured throughout the event and the slideshow! A special thank you to Phillips 66 and American Electric Power Foundation for helping sponsor this annual event.

Interested in having your students submit a project for NEED’s National Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement?

Projects are due April 15th each year. We invite you to take a look at award winning projects for inspiration and to submit a project for 2023!  View details here