MIAMI, FL — May 27, 2026 — Dream in Green (DIG) proudly hosted its Annual Green Schools Challenge Awards Ceremony on May 27 at Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, bringing together students, educators, administrators, sponsors, community partners, and supporters to celebrate a year of environmental leadership and sustainability achievements across South Florida schools.
The annual event recognized the outstanding accomplishments of schools and individuals participating in the Green Schools Challenge (GSC), Dream in Green’s flagship environmental education program that empowers students to take meaningful action on climate change through hands-on sustainability projects. Throughout the evening, top-performing schools, students, teachers, and administrators were honored for their dedication to reducing waste, conserving resources, promoting environmental stewardship, and inspiring positive change within their communities.
For nearly two decades, Dream in Green has worked to create a more sustainable future through education and behavior change. As an official partner of Miami-Dade County Public Schools and a collaborator with school districts throughout South Florida, the organization has expanded the Green Schools Challenge from a three-school pilot program to a regional initiative reaching more than 155 schools annually. The program continues to engage thousands of students each year in real-world sustainability projects that address energy conservation, waste reduction, water stewardship, climate resilience, and environmental leadership. “We are so proud to be part of something that continues to make our Earth and environment a better place, one step at a time.” Teacher, Gloria Floyd Elementary School.
The evening highlighted the remarkable impact students and educators are making in their schools and communities. Through school gardens, composting programs, recycling initiatives, energy-saving campaigns, habitat restoration projects, and climate education activities, Green Schools Challenge participants demonstrated that young people have the power to create meaningful environmental change.
“Every year, we are inspired by the creativity, dedication, and leadership demonstrated by our students and educators,” said Barbara Martinez-Guerrero, Executive Director of Dream in Green. “The Green Schools Challenge empowers young people to become environmental problem-solvers and changemakers. Tonight’s honorees represent the very best of what is possible when schools embrace sustainability and students are given opportunities to lead.”
The Awards Ceremony also provided an opportunity to recognize the teachers, administrators, families, sponsors, and community partners who support environmental education and help create greener, healthier school communities across South Florida. Our winners went above and beyond what was expected and inspired others to be environmental stewards. Below are our top winners at all three levels of our program (elementary, middle and high):
Elementary Schools Middle Schools High Schools
1st Gloria Floyd ES Kinloch Park MS Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy
2nd Ludlam ES G.W. Carver MS Robert Morgan Educational Center
3rd Air Base K-8 Southwood MS Dorothy M. Wallace C.O.P.E. Center
4th Miami Springs ES Rockway MS BioTECH @ Richmond Heights
5th Banyan ES Palmetto MS Everglades Preparatory Academy
6th Coral Park ES Cutler Bay MS Palmer Trinity School
7th Ojus ES Everglades K-8 Miami Palmetto SHS
8th Sandpiper Shores ES John F Kennedy MS Somerset Prep Academy Homestead
Dream in Green extends its gratitude to its Board of Directors, donors, sponsors, and community partners whose continued support makes these programs possible. Their investment in environmental education helps equip the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to address today’s environmental challenges and build a more sustainable future.
The Green Schools Challenge remains one of South Florida’s leading environmental education initiatives, empowering students from elementary through high school to take action on issues such as climate change, conservation, waste reduction, and sustainability while creating measurable impacts within their schools and communities. We are excited to celebrate our 20th Anniversary this year.
For photos from the Awards Ceremony and to learn more about Dream in Green’s programs, visit our website.
About Dream in Green
Dream in Green is a Miami-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering students, teachers, and communities to take action on climate change through education and hands-on sustainability programs. Through initiatives including the Green Schools Challenge, WE-LAB, and Green Leadership Grants, Dream in Green equips the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to create a more sustainable world.
To help support Dream in Green and our efforts in South Florida please contact Barbara Martinez- Guerrero, Dream in Green’s Executive Director at ba*****@**********en.org or visit our website.
