Reduce the carbon footprint of your school campus or home

EECCOA
CHALLENGE

Student Project-Based Challenge

EECCOA stands for Energy Efficiency to Mitigate Climate Change and Ocean Acidification. It is a STEAM competition for middle and high school students focused on reducing their school's carbon footprint or creating an outreach campaign to raise awareness of the importance of removing the Matilija Dam on the Ventura River, or about extreme heat and heat-related impacts in Ventura County. Project proposals must reduce the school's carbon footprint to mitigate climate change and reduce utility costs to make schools a healthier place.

FOUR TIERS

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Lit up light bulb with leaves in the middle icon

Design and propose a measurable method to reduce your school or your home's energy use, CO2 and utility costs

WATER CONSERVATION

Water spigot with a water drop coming down from it icon

Design and propose a tangible method to reduce the potable water used on your school campus, or at home

WASTE REDUCTION

A pile of soil with water bottles, bags and food scraps icon

Design and propose a tangible method to increase recycling and reduce waste production at your school site or at home

OUTREACH CAMPAIGN

A dam holding back water and a trapped fish icon

Thermometer displaying high temperatures, heat waves and a sun icon

Design an effective community outreach project to increase public awareness and the understanding of the removal of the Matilija dam.

(For VUSD only)

Design an effective community outreach project to increase public awareness about extreme heat and heat-related impacts in Ventura County.

(For Santa Paula HS only)

2026 EECCOA Challenge

The EECCOA Challenge provides students the opportunity to research, design, and innovate to increase energy efficiency, water conservation, reduce waste, or develop Matilija Dam removal awareness campaigns that inform their communities.