Video Competition Winners 2021 – Teens Dream Co Lab

Teens Dream Video Challenge Award Winners

My dream is to establish a nonprofit organization that provides art and design programs to students in underprivileged schools. Through creating a platform that empowers youth artists from across the world, students from underfunded schools can be given the opportunity to explore their creative skills while connecting and encouraging teen artists to sell their art. I hope to brighten the days of students who lack access to quality art education and foster innovative and artistic minds in the next generation.

Ranye Ezenekwe – Colorado

My dream is to combat global desertification. Desertification occurs when arable land degrades due to destructive human activities. Often, food resources become scarce and droughts increase in prevalence. 75% of global desertification is caused by over-cultivation. To keep up with rapid population growth, global crop yields must increase by 70% by 2050. To do so, farmers employ intensive cultivation methods that deteriorate soils, deplete freshwater resources, and contribute to desertification. Contradictorily, the solution to this crisis lies in weeds. Weeds are distinct from other plants because they can rapidly germinate and thrive in depleted soils. However, they often compete with crops for space and are expensive for farmers to eradicate. If farms collect the seeds from unwanted weeds and replant them strictly in desertified areas, these seeds will quickly grow to provide essential nutrients to degraded soils without disrupting nearby vegetation. Once the weeds have restored the soil, the area can be replaced with larger trees and crops to help feed our population and promote diverse ecosystems. To take this one step further, farmers can use these leftover pulled weeds to create a liquid fertilizer solution that I call “NutriBoost”. To make the fertilizer, farmers will add weeds and water to a large bucket and let sit for thirty days. Afterward, farmers will use a sieve to separate the plant material, seeds, and water. The separated seeds can again be replanted to continue the cycle of restoring degraded soils. The leftover plant material, however, will be blended with the collected nutrient-rich water. This mixture will leave farmers with organic fertilizers to aid crop growth and maintain soil quality. Evidently, my plan aligns with the UN’s fifteenth sustainable development goal of preserving life on land. By repurposing weeds, the world can minimize desertification while ensuring that all communities are provided equitable access to nutritious foods.

Lauren – Colorado

My idea is a day dedicated to reducing food-related carbon emissions, called National Eat Conscious Day. This day would incentivise people to eat in a conscious way to help bring down carbon emissions. That would involve eating locally and eating foods with a lesser environmental impact, like fruits and vegetables. I would also likely create a website, one page of which would contain recipes. This addresses the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Climate Action, as carbon emissions are a big factor in climate change. By working to reduce carbon emissions, we are taking action to help our planet.

Sirihaasa Nallamothu – Illinois

I hope to create an algorithm that predicts Syncope in POTS patients.

Priya Stamper - Texas

My dream is to make it more equitable for students from all backgrounds to attend college by drawing attention to the importance of a school profile. This corresponds with UN SDG #4 Quality Education.

Louise Victoria Sanches Barbosa – Brazil

As a child, seeing the hardships women had to go through in my family to have enough money to survive, made my dream be to promote women’s economic empowerment worldwide. This involves capacitating girls with skills needed for the job market, as well as increasing their access to financial resources, often restricted for this group. A pivotal path for me to conquer this dream is to create an organization that provides girls with information that can be used to generate revenue, especially the ones about social entrepreneurship. This has an intrinsic relationship with the 5th Sustainable Development Goal since gender equality can only be achieved when women have the means to achieve their economic independence. Additionally, teaching girls about the development of social business - the main step in my dream - also means that they will have enough information to work towards achieving any SDG that they are passionate about.

Nathan T. Liu – California

My dream is to form a global foundation that supports scientific research using Artificial Intelligent and Robotic in wildfires prevention. I call my dream “Project Silvanus”. Silvanus is the Roman deity of the woods and the protector of the forest. My dream related to SDG #13 "Climate Action" and #15 "Life on Land" with a special focus on "sustainably manage forests"

Bru Ayach Sibina – Spain

My dream is to clean the beaches and seas , this will improve all the ocean ecosystem. My proposal is related to the SDG #14 Life Below Water.

Danielle Reed - Georgia

I've got many dreams that I want to achieve. Some include being a famous conservationist and spreading conservation messages around the world, moving to Australia to become a Zoo Curator, having successful companies, getting degrees in Environmental Science and Zoology, and so much more. These are all long term dreams and goals, but my short term goal and dream is to create an online mega-platform for conservationists all around the world. This platform will be called "Consearthimal". As the name suggests, "Consearthimal" will concern the conservation of the Earth and its animals. This huge platform will become a one-stop shop for everything conservation related. People can see anything from petitions to articles. They can also see start-up projects, quizzes, forums, and so much more. This project relates to 6 UN SDGs, but it mainly concerns #15, Life on Land. I hope for this to be the kickstart on my journey as a conservationist!

Martí Pagès Llauradó – Spain

Our dream consists in creating an app to help people with terminal disease that feel al one.

Changemaker Award Winners

Mar Garmendia Gasca - Spain

My dream is that girls from an early age don’t suffer from sexual abuse and don’t feel inferior to a man the moment they want to reach any job. That’s why I would like to create a project against the abusers and empower young girls to defend themselves. Goal 5 - Gender Equality.

Emma Casini and Kailey Hughes – Colorado

We want to address the issue of low-quality education in the U.S. and beyond which can also lead to unequal opportunities for many. Evidence shows that more funding in students' education can increase the outcome of achievements. This is important for students that are low-income and might not have access to the proper materials needed. Our solution for this issue is to have libraries help students and have the materials available for students. For example having tutoring sessions, computer access and possibly having the library have a section related to school texts so that students can access needed textbooks and required texts without needing to buy them. We would want to start in rural areas near us but hope to expand globally. To fund this system we want to implement an "Adopt a Library" system for businesses. Starting with education is a great way to improve the world and make a change.

Paula Lladós Casalprim – Spain

My dream is make the oceans clean again as they used to be before the plastic revolution.

Hilal Şenol & Ganime Nisa Özkan & Demir Özütok & Ayşegül Coşar & Bengisu Ece Tosun & Ata Uğurlu & Naz Önsal & Derin Önsal & İhsan Batuhan Güzel & Nisa Duru Yapıcı – Turkey

With this work we did, we wanted to see the world of women from our window. The difference created by gender discrimination in society cannot be underestimated. For this purpose, we have made it our duty to contribute as much as we can, and we have prepared an awareness video so that gender inequality, one of the biggest problems of our age, is seen as a problem by everyone. Our dream is to make our world equal, fair, and more livable.

Ege Aydıner, Ayça Orhan, İdil İn, Aşkıala Yücel, Yiğit Özenen, Nehir Avcı, Derin Artun Şenol, Ecem Aydın, Emel Tohumcuoğlu - Turkey

Our dream is to show people where is the world going. Because world is being dragged to chaos right now. We might not be able to make everyone aware of this danger but if we start from small things like us, a group of highschool students trying to help the world, we can manage this goal.

Palmira Mauricio – Mozambique

I have big dream of change the planet from the pollution and plastic cause I have seen alot of pollution in my area and that has been big problem some marine specie's and biodiversity also isn't helpful local community that their substance is in ocean. I have created first mushrooms project as way to teach about pollution and think out of the box and I now want to try beauty product using recycled materials . I have also another dream that's about gender and equality but didn't focus on that yet cause first still wanna work on a way to reduce pollution...

Rasak Akorede Stephen – Nigeria

It all started August 16 2015 when I received this shocking news that a friend of mine just died due to the lack of water to an extent he had to drink the water where waste gather to decay and many people has been drinking this water due to the lack of water in the community. Did you know cholera kill about 1.3 to 4.0 million people every year. This is very sad also according to me and my team research many people have died due to this same menance in this same community. Due to the fact that people where not able to dispose their refuse in the community this is one of the main reason they dump it anywhere. May my friend soul rest in perfect peace.

2020 Awardee Playlist

Mentor Awardees

Certificates of Recognition

José Pablo Álvarez Preinfalk - Costa Rica

Create an online network in our communities in which people can help others by donating food items

Michelle Villalba – New York

Prevent sexual assault by fostering a culture of consent in early education with the program MY CONSENT

Georgina Cebrià Sala – Spain

Increase the awareness plastic (and microplastic) waste with an app

Priya Stamper – Texas

Educate kids on how to build a lifetime of habits that promote good mental health

Kourtney Rathke - Colorado

Create pop-up non-profit grocery stands in areas where food insecurity is prevalent

Simay Irmak – Turkey

Challenge and change sexist assumptions through a social media awareness campaign

Isabelle Schantz – Colorado

Alleviate hunger through the Compassionate Consumption Program

Yiğit Kılıçkını – Turkey

Clean toxic water from industry through an aquaponics system

Keanna Davenport - Iowa

Plant trees in my community to raise awareness of different types of deforestation, and combat the issue locally

Ravza Elif Ekinci – Turkey

Demolish the "wastes bridges" that extend to the 7th continent and spread awareness of "how to consume"

$500 Award Winners

Grace Angela Comerford - Illinois

Write a book that describes global warming in an easy to comprehend manner and elaborates on what kids can do to help our planet

Jibeh Fatty – New York

End female genital mutilation around the world by creating a book titled “We Will Not Be Tamed”

Sumya Abida – New York

Reduce plastic pollution in the ocean through the app DO YOUR PART developed specifically for young people

Faisal AlFozan – Kuwait

Convert PET bottle waste into 3D printer filament to eliminate plastic waste

Aurora Sadasy & Esther Bistricer - New York

Address homelessness and uplift the unhoused through community gardens and equitable education

Ellie Miyasaki – California

Rid the ocean of plastic pollution by collecting trash before it enters major waterways

Faaris Zuberi, Dylan Safai, and Eeshaan Shukla – Maryland & California

Develop Porta, a groundbreaking app that helps immigrants learn financial literacy

Ainsley Martin – New Mexico

Educate more people on the 7 principles of Leave No Trace while enjoying outdoor activities

Mena Jiménez Mallerly Jennifer - Ecuador

Help small businesses be more competitive in the digital world

Sarah Olson, Haley Jansons, Isabella Shady, Madelyn Stochaj - Massachusetts

Encourage data-driven, widespread recycling through local school system. Address injustice through plantings in disadvantaged neighborhoods to capture carbon, reduce air pollution

Congratulations to all of our 2019 Video Contest Winners. Our Grand Prize winner was given $500 and announced October 3rd 2020 at our Virtual Celebration – awarded to Laia Martinoy Batlle, of Catalonia Spain, for her wonderful video focused on stopping hunger by saving the food we are wasting, which supports SDG #12 on Responsible Consumption and Production.

2019 List:

Laia Martinoy Batlle – Catalonia, Spain

My dream is to stop hunger by saving the food we are wasting now, which supports SDG #12 on Responsible Consumption and Production

Ryan Song – Auburn, Washington, USA

My dream is that we all work together to have a big impact to save our planet, which supports SDG # 13 on Climate Action

Kristina Smolianinova – Abu Dhabi, UAE

My dream is to provide valuable education for all children, critical for most humans to improve life style, which supports SDG #4 on Quality Education

Samuel Parker Celico – Denver Colorado, USA

My dream is to see cities design tiny housing, aligning with SDG #11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities

Gulcin Eroglu and Team - Turkey

My dream is to prevent food waste because we have enough food to feed everyone. As Yunus Emre says, "if we share, we will be full. If we are separated, we will disappear.

Ceren Nur Polat – Turkey

My dream is that we have a genderless society, in alignment with SDG #5 Gender Equality

Claire Cohen – Orange County, California, USA

My dream is to stop the pollution that is destroying the coral reefs which could lead to endangerment of all marine life, supporting SDG # 14 Life Below Water.

Muweera Joseph – Uganda

My dream is an education system based on project based learning, in line with SDG #4 on Quality Education.

Magali Brunner – Girona, Catalonia, Spain

My dream is to erase loneliness of elders by bringing together the elderly with the young, relating to SDG #3, Good Health and Well-being.

Congratulations to all of our 2018 Video Contest Winners. Our Grand Prize winner was given $500 and announced at our 2019 Washington DC Teens Dream Celebration – awarded to Keoni Carrion of Orangevale, CA USA for his dream focusing on improving our oceans by inspiring others to be change makers via his filmmaking, which relates to Life Below Water SDG #14.

2018 List:

Madison Agraviador – Long Beach, CA, USA

My dream is to reduce the amount of food we waste, which supports SDG #12 on Responsible Consumption and Production

Keoni Carrion – Orangevale, CA, USA

My dream is to improve our oceans by inspiring others to be change makers via my filmmaking, which relates to Life Below Water SDG #14

Jacob Esmane – Long Beach, CA, USA

My dream is to spread autism awareness and implement this into SDG #3 on Good Health and Wellbeing

Jay Fields – Long Beach, CA, USA

My dream is for the LGBT community to be seen as normal which supports SDG #10 on Reduced Inequality

Eren Levine – New York, NY, USA

My dream is to reduce the amount of paper wasted from the New York Bus System, supporting SDG #11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities

Pau Ramirez – Sant, Catalonia, Spain

My dream is to improve the world’s environment by limiting the water we throw away supporting SDG #12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Marieka Staheli – Shoreline, WA, USA

My dream is for the world to realize the urgency of the need to use clean energy, which relates to SDG # 13 on Climate Action

Zeynep Toprakbasti – Bellevue, WA, USA

My dream is to support people in expressing themselves through art so that their voices may be better heard as a way to reduce inequalities addressing SDG #10

Diana Vicezar, Asuncion, Paraguay

My dream is to help the 200 million stray dogs with housing, as a means of addressing SDG #15 Life on Land

Congratulations to all of our 2017 Video Contest Winners. Scroll down to view all of the winning videos. Winning submissions are listed below.

Congratulations to all of our 2017 Teens Dream Winners below! And, to Jacqueline Mendoza of California our 2017 $500.00 Grand Prize Winner!

2017 List:

Personal Dreams

Porter Christensen – Utah, USA

My dream is that through my creative works of storytelling and making films I will be able to unite the world to address goals like discrimination, poverty, and violence.

Cyril King – Connecticut, USA

My dream is to to rise up and fight for equality of all people, but specifically people of LGBT+ who are discriminated against who often live in fear, sadness, depression and wanting of acceptance. I want to give them hope.

Victor Corja – Virginia, USA

My dream is that my home country of Moldova could have more international aid and support to help it have stronger institutions and be free of corruption.

Community Dreams

Mar Torrent & Laia Font – Spain

My dream is that during Christmas people will use responsible light consumption, avoid buying useless presents, and recycle wrappings, to address responsible consumption and production because we live in a world where consumism rules.

Ryann Chalmers – California, USA

My dream is for my community to help address the stigma around mental health and that we can work together to help people who struggle with mental health issues.

Pramudito Harjo Widodo – Indonesia

My dream is that kids in my country of Indonesia will break the loop of poverty by offering everyone a free education so they can have better jobs and a better life than their parents.

Global Dreams

Jacqueline Mendoza – California, USA

My dream is for the entire world to be aware of life below water and what damage we are causing to the lifeforms underneath.

Maria Drăgoi – Romania

My dream is to convince everyone that non-formal education and experimental learning is vital to educate more effectively.

Jonathan Yun – Connecticut, USA

My dream is that people will be able to see past the comfort of their lives and environment and to places where we sometimes forget exist, like the ocean.

Congratulations to all of our 2016 Video Contest Winners. Scroll down to view all of the winning videos. Winning submissions are listed below.

Congratulations to all of our 2016 Teens Dream Winners below! And, to Elena Beer of London our 2016 $500.00 Grand Prize Winner!

2016 List: