Are You Ready to Make a Difference?

The Global Sustainability Science Fair is your opportunity to tackle some of the most pressing sustainability issues in your community or beyond—whether it’s climate change, waste management, energy conservation, or resource depletion. You’ll research, design, and present a solution that showcases your creativity, critical thinking, and commitment to a sustainable future.

Throughout the competition, you’ll dive deep into research to understand the problem you’re solving. Then, you’ll design and create an innovative engineering solution or process to address that issue. Whether it’s a new technology, system, or a creative approach to conservation, your project will be grounded in real-world application. You’ll learn the skills of a scientist, the ingenuity of an engineer, and the passion of a change-maker.

The culmination of your hard work? A virtual science fair on August 1, 2025, where you’ll present your project to a panel of expert judges and fellow participants. This is your chance to showcase your findings, demonstrate the impact of your solution, and connect with a community of like-minded innovators from around the globe. Get ready to turn your ideas into action and become part of the solution for a more sustainable world!

A Global Initiative: Our Partnership with Columbia University’s DDC

After months of preparation, we’re excited to announce our collaboration with Columbia University’s Double Discovery Center (DDC), an organization that has spent over 50 years supporting first-generation and low-income students in New York City as they prepare for college. Through this partnership, over 60 DDC students will participate in the GSSF, developing research projects and exploring solutions to environmental challenges affecting their communities.

Apply to be a Student/Group Participant

Are you an 8th through 11th grade student passionate about sustainability and innovation? The Global Sustainability Science Fair offers you the chance to:

1. Investigate environmental issues affecting your community and beyond.
2. Design and build a project addressing a real-world problem.
3. Present your findings to experts, including scientists, engineers, and professors.
4. Connect with a global network of students working toward a more sustainable future.

Participants will receive a detailed project packet with step-by-step guidance to help them successfully complete their science fair project. Throughout the process, they will have access to email support from a dedicated mentor volunteer, who can provide advice and answer questions as needed.

You can join as an individual, form a team, or enter as a school.

Deadline to register: June 20, 2025

Apply to be a Volunteer

We’re looking for dedicated volunteers to help make this event a success. If you’re a college student, graduate student, or professional passionate about mentorship, sustainability, or STEAM education, we’d love your support.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Mentor students by answering questions and providing advice on their projects via email.
• Serve as a judge during the final fair, evaluating student projects.
• Create compelling content for our social media and website such as eye-catching Instagram posts, engaging articles about young changemakers, or exciting stories that showcase sustainability innovations and event highlights.
• Reach out to experts to encourage their involvement as mentors, judges, or guest speakers.
• Suggest new ways to contribute! If you have ideas on how to support the fair, we’d love to hear them.

Volunteers will attend a virtual orientation on July 6, 2025, where they’ll receive a full overview of their role and participate in a live Q&A session. By volunteering, you’ll play a vital part in empowering the next generation of changemakers while gaining valuable experience in mentorship, event organization, and global collaboration.

Deadline to register: June 15, 2025

Submission

All science fair project submissions must be submitted by 11:59 PM on July 24, 2025. Late submissions will not be allowed.

Project Evaluation

Experts from diverse fields will assess student projects, including:

• Professors and sustainability specialists providing academic insights.
• Scientists and engineers offering technical expertise.
• Educators ensuring projects are well-structured and impactful.
• College and graduate students bringing fresh perspectives.

Judges will evaluate projects based on creativity, feasibility, clarity, and impact. We are looking for innovative solutions that directly address environmental challenges in a meaningful way.

Each project will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Problem Identification & Research: How well does the project identify and analyze a sustainability issue? Is the research thorough, well-supported, and relevant?
• Innovation & Feasibility: Does the project introduce a creative and original solution? Can the proposed solution be realistically implemented?
• Technical Execution: While students are not required to build a physical prototype, their models, blueprints, or process designs should be highly detailed and to scale. Projects should specify materials—favoring sustainable options when possible—and include precise schematics, calculations, and design justifications. If presenting a process rather than an invention, the methodology should be structured, clearly explained, and backed by evidence.
• Presentation & Communication: Participants will showcase their projects at the virtual science fair, explaining their research, design process, and conclusions. Judges will assess clarity, depth, and persuasiveness in how ideas are communicated.
• Impact & Sustainability: How effectively does the project address an environmental issue? Can the solution create a lasting positive change at the community, national, or global level?

While a physical prototype is not required, we encourage participants to provide a digital version of their project, such as a 3D CAD model, a scaled blueprint with exact specifications, or a structured proposal outlining the process in detail. Although it is optional, building a working prototype to demonstrate the project’s functionality will strengthen the submission. A strong project will showcase originality, technical depth, and a realistic path toward implementation.

Scholarships & Recognition

The winner of the GSSF will receive a $200 Amazon gift card and recognition on FERN’s website. Finalists will also be featured, celebrating their innovative work. Additionally, select projects may be published in FERN’s online scholarly journal, offering greater visibility for their contributions to environmental innovation.

Join us in shaping a greener future—one idea at a time.

Equity & Inclusion Statement

Our science fair is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or socioeconomic background. We believe that diversity enriches scientific inquiry and innovation, and we strive to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to participate, learn, and succeed.