Events

Hosted by SCARCE, the DuPage County Board, and DuPage County Stormwater Management

This annual program challenges local high school students to design and construct a building model with adapted Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) criteria as the guide. The challenge promotes environmental and stormwater education within science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) curricula in DuPage County high schools. Students must focus on reducing the carbon footprint of a building as well as conserving resources, reducing pollution, and managing stormwater both within their building structure and on the surrounding property.

The Sustainable Design Challenge is held annually on a Tuesday in April. Student teams showcase their finished models and present their designs to judges and the public at the DuPage County complex.

Sustainable Design in Practice

It is a day of sharing and learning for these high school students! Participants have the opportunity to see DuPage County’s environmental initiatives throughout the county’s campus including car charging stations, a solar roof, green roof, and reflective roof and a restored wetland. Additionally, they will hear from DuPage County and sustainability professionals regarding current initiatives and practices. Students may also receive a guided tour of a LEED-certified feature or building , such as the Health Department Community Center, which brings two missions together: creating better lives for people affected by mental illness and shaping a healthier planet.

Connecting to Careers

SCARCE works with local businesses to recruit professionals to judge student projects and be part of a career exploration fair at the event. After the provided zero-waste lunch, students have the opportunity to interact with these engineers, architects, and landscape designers from sustainable design fields to discuss potential careers, internship opportunities, recommended coursework and more.