Deadline: 31-Oct-2025
Do your students have big ideas about making their local environment a better place? Are you looking for ways to support their ambitions and enthusiasm? If so, the Environmental Student Action Challenge (ESAC) is here to help!
The Environmental School Action Challenge (ESAC) is designed to turn student curiosity and innovation into student-driven exploration and research of solutions to address environmental issues impacting their community.
Applications are open to any team of Kindergarten through Grade 12 students attending school in Alberta. Teams must have a teacher supervisor and principal support. Schools are welcome to submit applications for multiple projects across multiple teams. Applications are not limited to one per school. Individual applications are not eligible. This is a team challenge intended for groups of two or more students.
Project applications will be assessed with grade levels in mind. Students in higher grade levels are expected to include more elements of research and of deeper scientific reasoning and exploration in their proposals. Projects must address a local Alberta water conservation issue and promote water conservation or stewardship.
Successful applications tend to involve many people (both students and community members), have a legacy component, be unique, and have well-articulated learning objectives. Teams can spend the funding on project materials and supplies, and up to a third can be spent on engaging with or consulting a subject matter expert to deepen the inquiry journey of your students.
The project may continue beyond the end date of the school year; however, only unique additions to the project may be funded in subsequent years. If the project will be expanded on or added to in subsequent years, a new proposal can be submitted for consideration under the program. Students can also look for additional funding through community grants or corporate sponsorship to fund unique components of the project.
ESAC offers grants of up to $1,000 per student-led project to support research and environmental problem-solving. Throughout their journey, students document their challenges and successes, exploring a local issue to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. At the end of the school year, participants come together to share their discoveries and celebrate their hard work, inspiring others across Alberta to take action as well.
The 2025-2026 school year challenge focuses on water conservation. Students can audit their school’s water usage, build rainwater capture systems, research native plants for water-saving habitat parks, monitor local water bodies, or engage in other projects that address water issues in Alberta. Teams are encouraged to collaborate, choose a project that has local impact, and submit proposals by October 31, 2025. Approved projects will be notified in November, receive funding in February, and implement projects from February to June, culminating in a final report or presentation.
For more information, visit Bow Habitat Station.
