The 5th annual OurEcho Challenge awards $6,000 to young changemakers

Washington, DC (May 22, 2025) Today, EarthEcho International—the global nonprofit dedicated to building a youth movement to protect and restore our ocean planet—announced the youth-led teams selected as the Grand Prize winners of the OurEcho Challenge.

The winning teams submitted entries to the innovative STEM competition designed to empower young people to explore the biodiversity in their communities and become leaders in developing solutions to preserve, protect, and restore these vital natural resources.

"Young people across the U.S. and around the world are stepping up as leaders to improve their communities—including leading the way to protect biodiversity—and that gives me great hope for the future," said Philippe Cousteau, Jr., founder of EarthEcho International. "I couldn’t be prouder to announce these awards honoring the inspiring youth who are making a real difference for our planet, our ocean, and their own backyards."

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2025 Winning Teams

• $3,000 Grand Prize Winner - Team MicroBirder from North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, North Carolina
• $2,000 Grand Prize Winner - Hudson’s Tomorrow: Floating Wetland Project from Hudson’s Tomorrow in Kingston, New York
• $1,000 Grand Prize Winner - Project Genki from Clear Lake Genki Ball Project in Mountain View, California

The grand prize-winning teams were selected by a panel of expert judges composed of youth, environmental, and corporate leaders, engineers, scientists, and educators. Scoring was based on each project proposal’s vision, scientific rigor, and feasibility.

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For more information and updates about the OurEcho Challenge, visit www.OurEchoChallenge.org or  follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

For more information about EarthEcho International, visit www.earthecho.org.
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About EarthEcho International:
EarthEcho International is an international nonprofit that envisions a world where every individual, from all backgrounds and experiences, has the opportunity and tools to create a healthy and thriving environment. EarthEcho’s mission is to build a global youth movement to protect and restore our ocean planet, a critical part of creating a sustainable and equitable future for all. Established by explorer and advocate Philippe Cousteau, Jr, in honor of his father, Philippe Cousteau Sr., and grandfather, legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, EarthEcho reaches more than 2 million people in 150 countries, providing original education content, immersive training and leadership experiences, and active collaboration networks free of charge for youth and the teachers and community leaders who work with them.

Media Contact – US
Andrew Postal
earthecho@signaldc.com

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