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Long Island Water Quality Challenge: Recognizing the Next Generation of Environmental Stewards
The 7th annual Long Island Water Quality Challenge is a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) initiative under the Long Island Watershed Program (LIWP). The competition encourages students in grades 5-12 to use their critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative skills to solve real world problems and become the next generation of environmental stewards.
This year, students were challenged to create a green infrastructure design aimed at reducing nitrogen pollution from stormwater runoff on school grounds which ultimately plays a part in improving water quality on Long Island. Fourteen student teams across Long Island competed for optional grant awards up to $2,500 to implement their projects on school grounds. This year, we proudly announce the winning schools: Paul D. Schreiber High School, Smithtown High School East, William Floyd High School, and The Woodhull School.
A panel of experts from the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Long Island Regional Planning Council, and the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District evaluated and scored the final project proposals. Assessment considerations included creativity, understanding and researching the issue, feasibility, technical merit, and alignment with the goals of the LIWP.
Here is a brief look at the 2026 winning projects:
Paul D. Schreiber High School (Port Washington School District): The team proposed a green rooftop-native plant garden system that can be used to harvest and purify rainwater, as well as prevent runoff from occurring. The intended result is to decrease the detrimental effects of polluted stormwater on surrounding ecosystems and the community while also serving as an educational resource and model for other schools.
Winning Team from Paul D. Schreiber High School.
Smithtown High School East (Smithtown Central School District): The team, made up of a trio of siblings in grades 9 –12, proposed installing a rain garden and nitrogen filter bed in the school courtyard to treat stormwater on-site. Runoff from rooftops will be redirected through a stone-lined swale, reducing nitrogen runoff and improving groundwater recharge.
Winning Team from Smithtown High School East.
Drawing of rain garden with nitrogen filter bed.
William Floyd High School (William Floyd School District): For the second year in a row, William Floyd High School was selected as a winning team due to its innovation of installing rain barrels in strategic areas around the school campus to capture rooftop runoff.
Winning Team at William Floyd High School.
The Woodhull School (Fire Island School District): This team of 5th and 6th graders proposed a rain garden to help filter and decrease the amount of polluted water from entering the local ocean and bay. They also plan to maintain already installed permeable pavers, build a book box to distribute information on nitrogen pollution, and present what they have learned and their design to the school board and local homeowners’ association.
Winning Team at Woodhull School.
The 2027 Long Island Water Quality Challenge will be launched in the fall with additional grants to be awarded. For more information, visit Long Island Water Quality Challenge – A STEAM Competition – LIRPC
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