Student Congress
Thank you to the over 250 students from across the Chicago-Calumet River watershed who attended the Student Congress in 2025.
Over 40 schools were represented, including over two dozen CPS schools and students as far away as East Chicago, Aurora, Waukegan, and Rockford.
Also in attendance were over 80 teachers, professors, and environmental professionals from Chicago Muslims Green Team, Current, EarthEcho International, the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Geographic Society of Chicago, IL-IN Sea Grant, Imani Village, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, REACH, and Xylem. Thank you all for your expertise.
The Student Congress is free and open to all students, geared towards middle and high school ages. Families, siblings, and friends are always welcome.
We will return to Northeastern Illinois University in February 2026.
2025 Sponsors
Learn about river issues from peers and professionals, enjoy snacks and giveaways, and view live animals.
The Student Congress is a free student-led environmental conference highlighting student service-learning and leaders in the Chicago-Calumet River system. At this unique forum, students share their knowledge, experiences and enthusiasm about science, nature, and climate resiliency. Students present and attend informative workshops and displays created by their peers from all over the watershed and by professionals from colleges, non-profits and government agencies. All students are welcome, and it is especially geared towards those of middle school and high school ages.
Improving the Chicago-Calumet River system can seem a big task. But all big tasks are made up of smaller problems that we can overcome together. What can you do to improve the river for your community? Learn what students across the watershed are doing to learn, connect with, and care for the river. We should all be part of the discussion as we propose solutions.
Looking ahead to 2026
If you have questions about becoming part of the Student Congress, contact our education staff. Workshops and exhibits should highlight your experiences with the river in some way. We all play a vital role to safeguard the health of the river’s ecosystems for people, plants, water, and wildlife.
Sponsor the Student Congress
Your support helps keep this event free and accessible to all students throughout the Chicago-Calumet River watershed as it inspires the next generation of environmental leaders. For sponsorship inquiries, reach out to Becky Lyons, director of equity and engagement, at blyons@chicagoriver.org or (312) 939-0490, ext 23.
“It was definitely an eye-opener for me. It was great to see students' hard work on display, and I can't wait for my students to represent themselves at next year's Student Congress.”
Efunyemi Vertus, Young Women’s Leadership Charter School
