In conjunction with CAVU, the MacGyver Foundation awarded $1000 to middle-school student for climate change video.
Creator of MacGyver TV show, CAVU Present Award
Santa Fe, N.M. – As part of the 2020-2021 Climate Innovation Challenge, CAVU (Climate Advocates/ Voces Unidas) teamed up with the MacGyver Foundation to present Santa Fe Prep 7th grader Benjamin Becker with the $1000 MacGyver Award for Best in Show.
Students and their climate adaptation solutions took the stage during April 20’s Climate Innovation Challenge (CIC) Virtual Student Showcase. Benjamin’s project, titled “Saving Water with Aquaponics” won Best in Show out of 155 projects from students grades 3-12.
MacGyver Foundation Founder Lee Zlotoff, the creator of the original MacGyver TV series, joined CAVU’s Phil Lucero and Santa Fe Prep staff to present the MacGyver Award abiding by COVID-19 safety protocols.
The MacGyver Award goes to the project that scored the highest and the student that demonstrated their ingenuity to “MacGyver” their way out of a climate problem and into an innovative adaptation strategy. “The climate crisis requires these skills and it’s so exciting to see the solutions CIC students came up with,” said Lee Zlotoff, founder of the MacGyver Foundation.
The CIC program cultivates student leaders who can think innovatively and communicate effectively about adapting to our changing climate. Students produced three-minute videos or presentations that evaluate a specific climate vulnerability or impact and present a creative adaptation solution. In its second year, CIC grew to work with 40 teachers from 30 schools around the southwest. In total, 435 students submitted 155 projects, a 200% increase in project submissions from the inaugural year. View a full list of winning projects at CAVU.org. Last names have not been included for the safety of the underage participants.
Nonprofit Climate Advocates Voces Unidas (CAVU) uses visual storytelling and community engagement to support local solutions to the global climate problem.
Learn more at CAVU.org and ClimateInnovationChallenge.org.