Environmental Education and STEM➞E-STEM

Learn about programs NAAEE and partners developed to advance E-STEM (Environment, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)—the integration of environmental education into STEM learning for youth. 

UL Innovative Education Award

Working with Underwriters Laboratories (UL), NAAEE launched the UL Innovative Education Award in 2014. This initiative sought out, supported, and promoted the very best in E-STEM, expanding the impact of innovative nonprofit programs that successfully use the environment as a platform for STEM learning.

For three years, the program invested $250,000 in five outstanding and inspirational programs each year. 

The $100,000 grand prize winner, Future City is a project-based learning competition that asks middle schools students to imagine, research, and design virtual reality scale models of cities of the future that emphasize environmental sustainability.

The UL Innovative Education Award grew out of research conducted by NAAEE and our evaluation partner, NewKnowledge, and funded by UL in 2013. California Water Service (Cal Water) also supported the research effort.

The report, Engaging Young People in 21st Century Community Challenges: Linking Environmental Education with STEM:

• Summarizes what is known about engaging young people in STEM
• Identifies nine priorities for the next generation of E-STEM
• Lists key themes, gaps, and challenges to be met
• Provides ideas to help support and enhance E-STEM

Cal Water H2O Challenge

NAAEE and Cal Water partnered to tackle multiple E-STEM efforts focused on caring for water

• Cal Water H2O Challenge, a project-based learning competition for California classrooms
• Cal Water Town, an interactive water education experience for Pre-K through 5th grade children