ATLANTA, Jan. 19, 2026 — The today unveiled the start of the 2026 , greeting its biggest group yet with close to 5,000 students, 132 educators, and 71 schools from 11 states taking part.
The Green Heart STEM Challenge uses a hybrid approach, offering in-person sessions in metro Atlanta, Houston, and Miami, plus virtual involvement that lets schools in other states fully participate. This setup fosters meaningful, location-specific learning in key communities while broadening access nationwide.
Created for 6th to 9th graders, the Challenge combines STEM education with real-life problem-solving, helping students pinpoint environmental issues in their communities and craft practical, doable solutions. It uses a rotating four-year cycle centered on EARTH, WIND, FIRE, and WATER, making sure students examine a wide array of environmental systems and solutions over the years.
The 2026 Challenge highlights EARTH, with students delving into topics like soil health, tree cover, composting, and food waste. Educators get students started on the Challenge platform, where teams are formed, research is done, and solutions tied to local needs start being developed.
“What sets this Challenge apart is that students are mentored and funded to implement their winning ideas!” said Leesa Carter-Jones, President and CEO of Captain Planet Foundation. “They’re not just learning about environmental challenges; they’re designing solutions and being held accountable for real outcomes.”
Since it began, the Challenge has demonstrated increasing, measurable results. In recent rounds, hundreds of student teams have moved from ideas to official project plans, with a rising share moving to implementation. Previous winners have gotten extra funding, grown beyond their schools, and established long-term community partnerships—including Atlanta and Houston teams that keep working long after the Challenge ends. Across all groups, student-led projects have addressed composting and food waste, erosion control and reforestation, water quality, repair-and-reuse systems, and circular initiatives cutting down on fast fashion and single-use waste.
The Challenge is backed by Accenture, Amazon, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Natural Gas, Green Mountain Energy, and Susan J. Klein, among other supporters. Accenture employees also act as volunteer mentors and project managers, aiding student teams in refining ideas, creating budgets, and getting ready for implementation via the Challenge’s Idea Incubator.
Now in its fourth year, the Green Heart STEM Challenge keeps demonstrating what can happen when students are given real responsibility and support to turn ideas into action.
About Captain Planet Foundation
Captain Planet Foundation is an award-winning U.S. nonprofit that empowers young people to solve planetary problems. Over the last 35 years, over 1.7 million children have directly taken part in CPF programs, supporting more than 3,700 projects and reaching 11.4 million young people globally. Founded in 1991 by Ted Turner and Barbara Pyle, CPF promotes environmental education through programs like Project Learning Garden, Planeteer Alliance, and the Green Heart STEM Challenge. Learn more at .
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SOURCE Captain Planet Foundation