Species on the Edge 2.0
The Species on the Edge 2.0 Conservation Challenge empowers students to investigate endangered species in New Jersey, identify causes of their decline, and develop real-world solutions to protect them while raising public awareness and engaging in ecosystem preservation.
Short-eared owl by Rich Nicol
Education + Outreach
Species on the Edge 2.0
Conservation Challenge
We invite high school students to create a multimedia video presentation about a threatened or endangered species native to New Jersey. Students will work in teams and choose a scenario on which to focus their video. Scenarios are detailed in the contest kit.
Each student team will select a facilitator or mentor to help guide them in their project. This facilitator may be a teacher, parent, business leader or another trusted adult in the team’s community. The facilitator is not a team member. The Species on the Edge 2.0 Conservation Challenge is a student-led challenge.
2026 Contest Kit, important dates for information session and entry will be posted soon. Thank you for your patience!
Student Prizes:
1st Place = $2000
2nd Place = $1000
3rd Place = $500
Facilitator Prizes:
1st Place = $750
2nd Place = $500
3rd Place = $250
Important Dates:
SOTE 2.0 Contact Form
2025 Species on the Edge 2.0 Conservation Challenge Winners
First place
Governor Livingston High School, Union County (Bald Eagles)
Students: Sahil Bhandari & Ivan Zubrinic
Facilitator: Vidushi Bhandari
Second Place
Tenafly High School, Bergen County (Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetles)
Students: Edmund Hod & Kiran Muttiah
Facilitator: Denise Kuehner
Third Place
The Wardlaw + Hartridge School, Middlesex County (Piping Plovers)
Students: Annie Yu, Helen Tang, Tawanda Sibanda
Facilitator: Dr. Raechel Lutz
2024 SOTE 2.0 Winners
First place
School: Hawthorne High School
Team Name: Hawthorne Bears
Species: Black Skimmer
Facilitator: Scott Crimmel
Student’s names:
Benedetto Russo
Logan Sakir
Brianna Counsellor
David Salazar
Second place
School: Science Park High School, Newark
Team name: The Knotters
Species: Red Knot
Facilitator: Andre Bridgett
Student’s names:
Ronel Acolaste
Valerie Frempong
Leslie Gonzales-Santiago
Thandiwe Hintze
Third place
School: Science Park High School, Newark
Team Name: Apple Juice
Species: Fowler’s toad
Teacher: Sunbel Khurshid
Student’s names:
Andy Remache
Joselybeth Fernandez Maldonado