Atlantic City Electric, the Drumthwacket Foundation and Sustainable Jersey honored 12 student teams for their New Jersey Student Climate Challenge action projects that address the causes and impacts of climate change at the local level.

The New Jersey Student Climate Challenge is a program funded by Atlantic City Electric, that was created to recognize the growing role young people play in addressing climate change. It tasks student teams from high schools and middle schools across New Jersey with developing and executing a school or community-based climate action project and creating a digital story video to share what they accomplished.

The student team winners and their teacher mentors were recognized at recent award ceremonies hosted by the Drumthwacket Foundation with New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy.

It was an exciting night filled with anticipation and eagerness from the students as they awaited to hear where their projects placed. There was also tremendous pride felt throughout the room from school administration, teachers and parents as they mingled with the First Lady. Also felt, was a sense of hope knowing the future of climate change is in the palpable hands of the bright, young minds who were honored.

Winners were selected by a panel of judges that included educators and representatives from local non-profits, state agencies and the partner organizations. Winning schools received a grant to support their climate education initiatives.

We are proud of all the participants who provided innovative ways to combat the very real threat of climate change. The winning projects are just one of the many reasons why the company continues to strive to be more than energy.

Atlantic City Electric Student Climate Challenge High School Category Winners

• First Place: Green Thumbs Team from Atlantic City High School, Atlantic City School District, Atlantic County
• Second Place: Clothing Reuse Team from Penns Grove High School, Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District, Salem County
• Third Place: Garden Team from Penns Grove High School, Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District, Salem County
• Third Place: Clearview Environmental Club Team from Clearview Regional High School, Clearview Regional High School District, Gloucester County

Atlantic City Electric Student Climate Challenge Middle School Category Winners

• First Place: Gifted & Talented Team from Penns Grove Middle School, Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District, Salem County
• Second Place: Davies Climate Resilience Team from William Davies Middle School, Hamilton Township School District, Atlantic County

New Jersey Student Climate Challenge High School Category Winners

• First Place: Green Team from Highland Park High School, Highland Park Public Schools, Middlesex County
• Second Place: Thriftwood Team from Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Monmouth County Vocational School District, Monmouth County
• Third Place: Environmental Club Team from Metuchen High School, Metuchen School District, Middlesex County

New Jersey Student Climate Challenge Middle School Category Winners

• First Place: Wild Over Worms Team from Green Brook Middle School, Green Brook Township Public Schools, Somerset County
• Second Place: The Alliance Team from JP Case Middle School, Flemington-Raritan Regional School District, Hunterdon County
• Third Place: Climate Action and Sustainability Team from Rosa International Middle School, Cherry Hill Public Schools, Camden County