S!NERGY New Jersey Competition
--NOTICE-- This event’s original date of May 29, 2021 has been postponed and the following details below are now updated
october 2, 2021 6:00PM-8:00PM EDT
Presentation Theme: Creative solutions to accessing and protecting New Jersey waterways
Submission Deadline: September 25, 2021 11:59 PDT
Pre-register to stay informed on any updates for upcoming 2021 S!NERGY events!
Competition Details
This S!NERGY Competition is being co-hosted by International Association of Youth and Students for Peace of New Jersey and Ocean Tribe New Jersey. The goal of this S!NERGY event is to offer a platform for youth to share solutions for the biggest issues affecting our aquatic resources in the State of New Jersey. This competition is open to anyone Nationally who meet submission requirements.
Based on the theme of “Creative Solutions to Accessing and Protecting New Jersey Waterways” we are looking for ideas or projects that support or touch upon one or more of the 3 Sustainable Development Goals listed below:
SDG #12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
SDG #13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
SDG #14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Your idea or project will be presented to a live audience and a panel of judges who are experts in the areas of environment and conservation, or has experience working directly with improving communities. Presenters whose submission is chosen to be presented for the day of the event can win cash grants for their idea/project.
There will be a total of $3,000 in cash grants for this competition.
Example top issues with NJ waterways
Access—Lack of fun, safe activities on and around the waterways
Pollution—Plastic and trash build up from dumping and runoff
Marine Life Stewardship—Invasive species, toxic fish, and habitat loss
Ownership—Lack of ownership and investment by townships and businesses for local waterways
Awareness—Lack of understanding of local impacts of climate change and the potential ecological, economic, and public health impacts
Data and Resources on NJ Climate Change
Meet our guest judges!
For this October 2, 2021 S!NERGY we have the honor of hosting three experts who are experienced and passionate about the well being of our waterways in New Jersey.
Marc Rogoff
Lead Education Specialist, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
A former classroom teacher, Mr. Rogoff has served as a consultant to NASA, the USEPA, the American Museum of Natural History, Liberty Science Center, the National Wildlife Federation, and many other organizations. He has contributed lessons and education resources to multiple science textbooks and education agencies across North America. He was also interviewed on television for the Caucus New Jersey with Steve Adubato on the topic of “Outdoor Classrooms” and the many resources the NJDEP offers to educate students on environmental issues. https://www.nj.gov/dep/
Jodi Jamieson
Project Manager, Hackensack Riverkeeper
Ms. Jamieson found her way to Riverkeeper in 2010 after several years as an art director and design manager in educational publishing. Jodi has also served as a founding member of the Coalition to Preserve the Palisades Cliffs, a Sierra Club group chair, and a strong advocate for urban parks and open space.
Jodi runs the Urban Watershed Education Program, which introduces hundreds of urban middle school students to their river, pollution and the environmental issues which affect their communities. In addition, she is developing a 26.2 mile-long Hackensack River Paddle Trail. She is also working to reestablish traditional migration and spawning grounds for river herring through the creation of a fish ladder at the Oradell Dam. "Developing places for people to recreate along the river, creating an opportunity for fish to return to their historic spawning grounds – these are things that add value, interest and delight to the Hackensack River. It's all part of a process to bring these urban areas back to places of wonder. I find this exciting and am proud to be a part of it," said Jodi. "Working for Hackensack Riverkeeper combines my love of the outdoors, being on the water, and my passion for a clean environment."
Laurie Howard
Executive Director, Passaic River Coalition
Ms. Howard has been involved with The Passaic River Coalition in several capacities since 2004, including Board Chair and presently Executive Director. Since her youth, she has been drawn to water activities so PRC activities were naturally attractive as a positive volunteer experience that complimented her passions.
Previously marketing director for several New York book publishing houses, she later focused on family, but also shifted her energies and talents to water quality and river accessibility concerns in the Passaic Watershed, including founding North Jersey Rowing and the Preserve Graydon Coalition, a grassroots nonprofit protecting open space and natural bodies of water. Her eclectic skill set combined with her passion for our greatest resource, water, brought her to learn and understand the complexity of water issues here in Northern New Jersey, the most densely populated location serviced by the Passaic River.
She has a B.A. from Rutgers College, an M.A. from Columbia and an M.B.A. from Fordham University. A New Jersey native, she resides in Bergen County.
Submission Requirements and Process
Competitor Requirements
Must live in the United States of America (you do not need to be a citizen)
Must be age 16-30
Must be a YSP USA Member (Join HERE)
Must watch the Peace Perspective recording (Found on the main S!NERGY page or watch HERE)
Video Submission (Deadline September 25, 2021 11:59pm PDT)
Idea or project must be specific to impacting New Jersey waterways
Video submission must be a max of 4 minutes
Must upload your recording, slides and script through the online submission
Example submission recording (From S!NERGY Japan winner)
Presentation Guidelines
Clearly states the issue you are trying to address
Clearly states your proposal to address the issue
Share a personal connection with the issue and how it affects you and others
Supports at least one the 3 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mentioned (SDG #12, #13, or #14)
Has a clear theme and is related to the theme indicated for the event
Keep slides simple and clean
Do not use copyrighted images unless you have permission
Make sure any facts are accurate
Use clear, readable fonts for your slides
Strive for a win-win solution
Process
After submitting your 4 minute video of your idea or project the submission review committee will evaluate all submissions after the Sept. 25 deadline based on certain criterias. The presenters of the top chosen submissions will be notified on Sept. 28 and will need to have a 7-10 minute presentation ready to give live on October 2, 2021. The panel of guest judges’ votes have a 70% weight while the live audience votes have 30%.
Presentations will be judged on:
Inspiration (heart, spirit, emotion, energy)
Content (importance, urgency, and feasibility)
Delivery (quality of slides, voice articulation)
Entering the Competition
The presentation submission form link is found within the member area of this website. To enter the competition and submit your presentation you must either sign into your account and go to the “Member Home” page and scroll down to the “Upcoming S!NERGY” section. If you do not have an account you will need to sign up and become a member with our one time membership fee.