PROJECT AIM:
GREEN-Z was envisioned to promote environmental awareness among Gen-Z students by engaging them in interactive activities like debates, quizzes, and poster presentations. The goal was to educate the future citizens and nurture environmentally responsible leadership in an engaging and impactful way.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
Held on November 11, 2022, at Madhyamgram Boys’ High School, GREEN-Z was the inaugural edition of this flagship environmental awareness initiative. Recognizing that traditional lectures often fail to engage students meaningfully, the project was structured around participatory learning—making students central to the event’s success.
Two key competitions were organized:
- Poster Presentation Contest, judged by Mr. Shounok Guha, Founder & Managing Director, Rigel Foundation
- Quiz Contest, hosted by Quizmaster Mr. Udayaditya Parbat in a dynamic Pounce & Bounce format
Students from classes IX to XII enthusiastically participated, showcasing creative environmental themes and actively engaging with the quiz and judges. A large number of quiz registrations led to a two-stage competition—Prelims and Finals, with the top 6 students making it to the final round.
The event concluded with mementos for the school, prizes for winners, and certificates for all participants, highlighting the commitment of Rigel Foundation toward youth-led sustainability awareness.
GOALS AND IMPACT:
The primary goal was to create a youth-driven dialogue around environmental responsibility through non-traditional, interactive formats. GREEN-Z successfully:
- Ignited awareness among students about environmental degradation
- Encouraged public speaking, teamwork, and critical thinking
- Revealed areas for academic support, such as English oration skills, that could be improved in future sessions
This initiative laid the foundation for recurring school-based events and became a model for engagement-led learning.
TARGET BENEFICIARIES:
The direct beneficiaries of the GREEN-Z event were:
- Students (Classes IX–XII) of Madhyamgram Boys’ High School
- Teachers and school administration, who gained new tools for environmental education
- Rigel Foundation volunteers, who gained valuable experience in organizing educational outreach events
The program also indirectly impacted the student community by setting a precedent for interactive learning on critical issues.
PROMOTION AND PARTICIPATION:
The event was internally promoted through:
- Direct collaboration with school authorities
- On-ground awareness by the Rigel Foundation team
The school’s support and enthusiastic participation by students ensured the event’s vibrancy. All participants received certificates, and winners received prizes to motivate sustained engagement.
CONCLUSION:
GREEN-Z marked a significant milestone for the Rigel Foundation as its first interactive educational outreach program focused on environmental issues. The success of the event highlighted the effectiveness of participatory learning models and set a strong precedent for future editions. While minor logistical challenges were encountered, the overall execution, impact, and reception were highly positive. GREEN-Z is set to evolve into a flagship movement for promoting sustainability awareness among the youth.
