Ideas that Matter Student Challenge

'25-'26 Climate Change & the Individual

Climate change is a global crisis that affects our daily lives and is one of the most critical problems we face today and in the future. Students from all majors are encouraged to participate in a campus-wide competition focused on the 鈥25-鈥26 Ideas that Matter theme: Climate Change and the Individual. 

Competition Submission Types:

  • GREAT Day oral presentation
  • GREAT Day poster
  • GREAT Day performance
  • Creative writing piece
  • Research paper
  • Editorial/opinion essay
  • Visual Art & Multimedia

Students with the strongest submissions across categories will be given awards in May 2026. Submissions that explore or embody why public liberal arts education matters to climate change and the individual, and/or are focused on climate change actions, advocacy, awareness, and outreach are particularly promising. For further ideas, consider these 鈥溾 from the 25-鈥26 Common Read selection by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson.

Competition Timeline

By April 15, 2026, complete the online entry form (forthcoming), which will ask you for details about your entry (including title and time of your GREAT Day participation, if applicable), and to attach a copy of your submission (PDF, Word doc, Slides, Video recording, etc.). 

Answers to FAQs

  • Questions about the competition can be directed to Dr. Melanie Medeiros (medeiros@geneseo.edu).
  • Submissions can come from individual students or teams of students as long as all the team members are willing to participate in the competition.
  • Submissions that were completed as part of a course are welcome.