During the 2023-24 school term, the OurEcho Challenge is open to young leaders in the US and the UK, ages 13-16.

US OurEcho Challenge Entry Period: December 4, 2023 - March 1, 2024, 11:59 PM Eastern.

UK OurEcho Challenge Entry Period: Coming early 2024.

Up to 10 finalist teams (US and UK) will be chosen. The top three (3) winning teams in each contest will be awarded grants to make their projects a reality.

What is the OurEcho Challenge?

The OurEcho Challenge is a STEM competition that empowers young changemakers in the US and in the UK, ages 13-16, to take a closer look at biodiversity in their communities. Young leaders will first identify threats to local ecosystems and then propose solutions to help preserve, protect, or repair those natural resources.

Does this cost anything?

There is no cost to submit an entry into the OurEcho Challenge.

Am I required to use the resources in order to enter the OurEcho Challenge?

While we believe the supplemental resources to be helpful, they are not required to submit an entry to the OurEcho Challenge. The supplemental resources are free for anyone to use. Using these resources does not in any way bind you to submitting an entry into the OurEcho Challenge.

Who can enter the OurEcho Challenge?

Young leaders in the US and the UK, ages 13-16, are welcome to enter the OurEcho Challenge. Young leaders may enter individually or in teams of up to three (3) peers and can submit the team entry online.

For young leaders in the UK, an adult (21+) MUST submit each entry online on behalf of the entrant. A representing adult can be traditional educators, parents, and/or adult facilitators of more informal learning environments.

Any former member of an OurEcho Challenge Winning Team must not re-use their prior OurEcho Challenge winning entry materials to enter the OurEcho Challenge.

Can I enter the OurEcho Challenge if I live outside the United States or the United Kingdom?

At this time, the Contest is offered within the United Kingdom and within the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

Will teams from the US compete with teams in the UK? 

No. While the Contest is open to both geographic regions, the contests are separate. Teams entering in both the US and the UK will be eligible for the top prizes in their respective geographic region.

If a team entered the OurEcho Challenge in previous years, can they enter again?

Yes, but any former member of an OurEcho Challenge Winning Team must not re-use their prior OurEcho Challenge winning entry materials to enter the current OurEcho Challenge.

How many entries can I submit?

Limit three (3) entries for which a particular young leader is one of the team members. Each such entry must be different and meet all requirements. Entries received in excess of this limit will be void. Entrants must be between the ages 13-16, a legal resident of the eligibility area, and attend school in US or UK during the respective entry period.

Any former member of an OurEcho Challenge Winning Team must not re-use their prior OurEcho Challenge winning entry materials to enter the OurEcho Challenge.

In the UK, given the age of students, an adult (21+) MUST submit each entry online on behalf of the teams they are representing. There is no limit on the number of teams an educator/mentor can supervise. A mentor must be 21 years of age or older, a legal resident of the eligibility area, and an educator who provides direct instruction to students in a formal or informal setting at a public/private/home school, an afterschool club, a community program, a nonprofit organization, or other learning environment.

How many young leaders can be on a team?

Young leaders can enter the OurEcho Challenge individually or as a team of up to three (3) peers.  

When will the OurEcho Challenge take place?

The US OurEcho Challenge will be open for submission December 4, 2023 - March 1, 2024, 11:59 PM ET. Finalist teams will be selected and notified in mid-late March 2024. Up to 10 finalist teams in the US will have from March - May, 2024 to draft a final presentation (including a budget and timeline) and produce a short team video. Finalist teams will meet virtually with an expert panel of judges on May 16, 2024 for a question and answer session. All team members must be available to virtually join the winning teams announcement on May 22, 2024, where the winners will be announced by EarthEcho founder, Philippe Cousteau.

The UK OurEcho Challenge will be open for submissions early 2024. More details TBA.

Our team submitted an OurEcho Challenge entry – what happens next?

The US OurEcho Challenge is open for submission December 4, 2023 - March1, 2024. Up to ten (10) finalist teams will be selected and notified by mid-late March 2024. Finalist teams in the US will have from March - May, 2024 to produce a short team video and draft a final presentation that may include a prototype of their proposed solution. Samples and templates to assist in creating the final video and presentation, budget, and timeline will be provided for all finalist teams once they are notified.

The UK OurEcho Challenge will be open for submissions early 2024. More details TBA.

When do I find out if my team is a finalist?

The US OurEcho Challenge is open for submission December 4, 2023 - March 1, 2024. Up to ten (10) finalist teams will be selected and notified by mid-late March 2024.

The UK OurEcho Challenge will be open for submissions early 2024. More details TBA.

How many finalists will be selected?

Up to ten (10) finalist US teams and up to ten (10) finalist UK teams will be selected and invited to compete for the grand prize in their respective Contests.

Who are the OurEcho Challenge judges?

The panel of judges may be comprised of EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council members, Aramco Services Company scientists, science educators, researchers, and EarthEcho International employees, Board members, or partners. The panel of judges will carefully review all entries using the OurEcho Challenge scoring rubric.

What happens if I am a finalist?

The US finalist teams will have from March - May, 2024 to produce a short team video and draft a final presentation that may include a prototype of their proposed solution. Samples and templates to assist in creating the final video and presentation, budget, and timeline will be provided for all finalist teams once they are notified. All US OurEcho Challenge finalist teams must be available to virtually join the winning teams announcements on May 22, 2024, where the winners will be announced by EarthEcho founder, Philippe Cousteau.

The UK OurEcho Challenge will be open for submissions early 2024. More details TBA.

What are the top prizes?

The top teams will receive:

First Prize: $5,000.00 (US Team); £5,000.00 (UK Team)
Second Prize: $2,500.00 (US Team); £2,500.00 (UK Team)
Third Prize: $1,000.00 (US Team); £1,000.00 (UK Team)

Each grant check will be made payable to the school/organization associated with the winning entries, which the school/organization must make available for the team to use to support the biodiversity initiative described in their winning entry.

The top three (3) winning teams in the US and UK will be required to submit a budget, plan, and timeline for their use of the project grant funds, which will be subject to review and approval. Each winning team will also have to submit status updates to EarthEcho on their progress, as well as a brief final report on the progress and learnings achieved through use of the project grant funds.

What are other ways I can connect with EarthEcho International?

Be sure to connect with us via social media on Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and Instagram to learn the latest about our work and opportunities for young conservation leaders. You may also sign up for EarthEcho's newsletter to stay up to date on our latest programming.  

Still have questions? Please direct additional questions to ourechochallenge@earthecho.org or 202-350-3190.

Please note that EarthEcho International reserves the right in its sole discretion to further modify the timing of the OurEcho Challenge and/or the format/timing of the Finalist Event. If such changes are deemed prudent, the new timing and/or format will be noted in the Official Rules and on this website.