Events are tailored each season to provide teams with the most up-to-date knowledge and experiences in the field of sustainable innovation. Examples of activities include: meeting with professionals in the energy and waste industry; visiting wind turbines, both large-scale and small-scale; touring local food production and prairie restoration sites; and participating in energy audits and more!
Fall Summit
The annual Fall Summit brings students together from across the state in a conference-like structure offering opportunities to learn from experts in varying fields. Students enjoy sharing project ideas and participating in fun hands-on activities that will kick-start their project planning ideas!
Register for the 2018-19 YES! Fall Summit here.
Winter Workshops
The intent of our workshops is to focus on one topic in order to bring a deeper understanding to that topic of interest to the team. Experts are brought in to present information and hands-on activities are included in the day. Typically, teams will also tour a business or organization that fits with the theme of the day.
2018-2019 Winter Workshops include:
West Central region
- February 20 at St. John’s University: Water Quality and Invasive Species
- February 26 at Blattner Energy: Spare a Watt, Save a Lot
- March 5 in Spicer: Plant Your Roots
Southern region
- January 23 at Ney Nature Center: Local Foods for a Changing World
- February 13 at Ney Nature Center: Water Quality and Prairie Restoration
- February 27 at the Sleepy Eye Community Center: Energy Efficiency
- March 20 at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter: Say “YES!” to Healthy Soil = Healthy Lives
Northwest region
- February 15 and March 8 at Parkers Prairie High School: Go Native and Help Water Quality
- March 5 at Northland Arboretum: Rain Gardens, Water Conservation & Climate Change
Northeast region
- February 6 at Lake Superior College: Supermileage Vehicles
- February 22 in Duluth: Alternative Energy and Environmental Stewardship
- February 26 at Lake Country Power: Electricity Generation and Usage
Spring Judging
This co-opetition provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate what they learned, how they worked as a team, and the impact they had on their community during the year. Judges interview the teams, review their final report, and determine the top performers in the region. Monetary prize awards are given to the top teams and the highest scoring team advances to the statewide competition.
Statewide Competition
This is a coopetition among the regional winners. The YES! State Champion is announced at the Twin’s pre-game show on Target Field!
Summer Water Adventures
When waterways are open, teams can venture out onto bodies of water for various water quality monitoring projects. Taking chemical, physical, and biological readings to determine water quality and going on kayak adventures to look for aquatic invasive species (AIS) are some of the many options for summer projects.
Team Projects
Sustainable action projects take place during the entire year. Students decide which projects to tackle and work with team members, coaches, coordinators, and community members to complete projects. Each team will work toward both large and small projects, involving peers and community members in the process.
“The sessions at the Fall Summit really influence how the students approach projects such as using SMART goals and reaching out to community folks for support.” –Marty Bratsch, Royalton YES! Coach
