To engage students in the conversation around sustainability in Minnesota, District Energy St. Paul and the St. Paul Saints invited students across the state to submit their ideas to our Big Ideas for a Sustainable Minnesota video contest. We received videos from across the state, with students big ideas encouraging waste reduction, pollinator protection, community gardens and local food sources, transit and biking alternatives, new urbanism, and renewable energy.
Our judges came together to select three finalists and name our winner, which was announced at the Saint Paul Saints game on June 8. Our judging panel included Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Metropolitan Council Parks Ambassador Amanda Lovelee, and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Sustainability Coordinator Carla Inderrieden. We are incredibly grateful for these civic leaders and sustainability champions.
And the Winner Is
With their video on invasive species awareness, Kelliher Public School was awarded the first place prize of $5,000 for sustainability programming at their school.
First place video: Kelliher Public School
Second place video: Highland Park Middle School
Third place: White Bear Lake Area High School
While Kelliher Public School took first place in the video contest, those who live and work in Minnesota and benefit from these sustainability ideas have a prize of their own.
A Big Thank You
We are so proud of the students who went the extra mile to think about Minnesota’s future, as well as the teachers, parents, and community members who invest in them every day.
We would also like to thank all of the community and our environmental and education partners who helped us get the word out this spring. We think this pilot year was a great success and hope to bring the contest back in 2020.
Check out the students’ video submissions.