Students presented sustainability ideas, received expert feedback, and earned recognition and cash awards for advocacy and innovation projects that create real community impact.
50+
Competitors
25
Volunteers
11
Judges
August 1st, 2026
Benedictine University
Green Dream Challenge gave students a stage to present environmental projects, from advocacy campaigns to innovation builds, and get real feedback from mentors and judges.
On August 1st, 2026 at Benedictine University, competitors shared their ideas, celebrated their wins, and took home trophies, medals, and cash awards totaling $750.
Posters, art, photography, video, podcasts, poems, campaigns, and more.
Judged on:
Apps, solar ideas, smart recycling bins, water-saving devices, waste-sorting tools, pond cleanup robots, and more.
Judged on:
A full day of student sustainability presentations, live Q&A with judges, and a celebration of the Top 5 winners.
Room 321, Goodwin Hall · 5700 College Rd, Lisle, IL
August 1st, 2026 · presentations ran morning through afternoon
August 1st, 2026 · closing celebration
$250
First Place
$200
Second Place
$150
Third Place
$100
Fourth Place
$50
Fifth Place
Moments from this year’s competition.
Celebrating the students who presented sustainability ideas on contest day, from advocacy campaigns to innovation builds that earned Top 10 recognition and Rising Star awards.
Shanvitha Palakurthi
Purely is an all-natural, chemical-free, and affordable dishwasher detergent tablet created to replace conventional pods wrapped in microplastic-releasing PVA plastic film. By completely eliminating plastic packaging, Purely cleans dishes effectively without harsh odors, providing a safe solution for families while protecting aquatic life and keeping microplastics out of local water systems and Lake Michigan.
Ethan Chen
AquaFilter is a multi-stage filtration system that captures and purifies air conditioner condensate water. It removes debris and chemicals so the water can be reused for daily tasks, cutting waste.
Anika Tiwari
Compost Connect is a prototype app that reduces restaurant food waste in Naperville by grouping nearby pickup requests. Efficient truck collection diverts scraps from landfills into healthy soil.
Vikashni Selvaraj, Kayal Prabhu, & Kavinaya Sureshkumar
Discarding Batteries The Right Way is an educational guide on proper battery disposal and recycling. It covers environmental hazards, fire risks, and safe local recycling options.
Michael Nie
Auto Unplug is a smart device that eliminates phantom energy waste by cutting power once connected devices are fully charged. It saves electricity and lowers household energy costs.
Abdurahman Yuldash, Soleha Yuldash, & Abdullah Yuldash
BuzBomb launches native seed balls through play, helping kids rebuild local pollinator habitats.
Shaanvi Mokshagundam
An advocacy project that cuts waste through community education and cleaner disposal habits.
Adhi Deshkar & Aryan Kushwaha
A website that teaches plant identification and recycling to support greener everyday choices.
Vincent Zhang & Roberto Davila
An autonomous robot that detects and collects litter in community spaces.
Anna Wu
Promotes cleaner communities through education and simple everyday actions against litter.
Special recognition for younger students with outstanding environmental projects.
Riya Bhanji
Inspires peers to reuse, donate, recycle, and plant with simple sustainable habits.
Richie Parab
Organizes community cleanups that reduce litter and care for shared outdoor spaces.
Community leaders, industry experts, and standout students who scored Green Dream Challenge 2026 presentations.
Professionals who scored presentations with real-world sustainability experience.
Sustainability Specialist, City of Naperville
Payton brings municipal climate policy and community engagement experience from Naperville, with a background in environmental studies and local agricultural management.
Sustainability Manager, Navistar / International Motors
At International Motors (formerly Navistar), Daliana draws on chemistry, applied statistics, and sustainable procurement to judge projects on feasibility, circularity, and impact.
Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Multimodal Ventures
A Multimodal Ventures co-founder with deep tech, robotics, and exited Health IT experience, Ryan weighs technical design, feasibility, and real-world environmental impact.
DuPage Master Gardener
A DuPage Master Gardener with University of Illinois Extension, Ellen brings hundreds of volunteer hours in sustainable gardening, stewardship, and community greening.
Environmental Policy and Public Relations Specialist
Roselynne is a North Central College student journalist and Accelerate Climate Solutions intern who judges projects on message clarity, educational value, and advocacy potential.
Lead Climate Intern, Accelerate Climate Solutions
Owen is a North Central College student-athlete in Environmental Business and Science with experience in ecological restoration, research, and youth mentorship.
Organic Farming Intern, The Conservation Foundation
An incoming UIUC Agricultural & Consumer Economics student, Jack brings organic farming and climate communications internship experience to judging innovation projects.
Student peers and scholars who helped score Green Dream 2026 alongside the panel.
Incoming Student @ UPenn & HF0 Resident Fellow
Allen is an incoming Wharton Finance and Computer Science student, HF0 Resident Fellow, and BizBuzz NFP co-founder who judges business viability and scalability.
Incoming Student @ Yale & Congressional App Challenge Winner
An incoming Yale student and Congressional App Challenge winner, Steven co-developed EcoSense, a recycling app with a garbage classifier camera.
Incoming Student @ Harvard & Award-Winning Artist
Alice is an incoming Harvard student and award-winning artist who judges projects on design innovation, aesthetic appeal, and creative campaign presentation.
Pete Conrad Scholar & Naperville Riverwalk Commissioner
Idhant is a Pete Conrad Scholar and Naperville Riverwalk Student Commissioner with AI/ML research affiliations, judging technical feasibility and community impact.
