Students Encouraged To Compete In Sustainable Design Challenge

DUPAGE COUNTY — Area high school students can put their eco-friendly ideas in the spotlight during the 17th Annual Sustainable Design Challenge, which SCARCE, DuPage County Stormwater Management and the DuPage County Board will host on April 18.

The competition challenges students to create models of buildings and landscapes that incorporate sustainable water and environmental concepts. Inspired by Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) studies, the annual contest aims to foster awareness about environmental and stormwater issues that affect DuPage County.

Designs should conserve resources and limit their carbon footprint, according to the competition's webpage.

"Seeing the innovative building designs created by the students who participate in this annual challenge is inspiring," Stormwater Committee Chairman Jim Zay said in a news release.

He added, "Every year, students incorporate different technologies to advance their projects and bring new ideas to green building designs. I look forward to this event every year, and the students never disappoint."

The Sustainable Design Challenge welcomes entries from all high school students throughout DuPage County and gives students a chance to dip their toes into STEM and sustainability efforts that may inspire their future careers, SCARCE Founder and Executive Director Kay McKeen explained in a statement.

McKeen said, "The Sustainable Design Challenge provides a valuable experience for students who may be looking to study sustainability or a STEM field in college. Students use these valuable skills through the development of their projects, but also through their interactions at the event, including speaking with professionals and viewing real-life applications of green practices on the county campus."

Students have until April 3 to register for the 17th Annual Sustainable Design Challenge. Those who participate can present their concepts to judges at the DuPage County Complex on April 18.