Event encourages students to think outside the box,

make a meaningful impact on environmental issues

For the second year in a row, Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy (OVCA) senior and Oklahoma City resident Kairi Cheverie placed second in Stride’s annual Innovation Challenge. The competition encourages students nationwide to think of ways to make a meaningful impact on our planet’s most urgent environmental issues.

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Kairi Cheverie presents her project at the Innovation Challenge finals in Reston, Va. (Photo: Business Wire)

Nearly 170 students from more than 60 schools were invited to develop original concepts addressing climate change or land, ocean and freshwater conservation through scientific application, civic engagement and community impact. Finalists were flown to Stride’s headquarters in Reston, Virginia, for the final leg of the challenge.

The idea behind Cheverie’s project, dubbed “Greenhouse Friends,” was to teach future generations about proactively addressing climate change by reducing waste.

“Overconsumption is the leading cause of textile waste, e-waste and pretty much every other waste. Frugality teaches kids to be appreciative of what they already have,” Cheverie said. “It was an amazing competition, and I’m thankful to my teachers at OVCA for pushing me to always do my best.”

Judging was based on the idea, implementation, creativity and reach.

Cheverie also placed second in the inaugural challenge in 2022 for her idea for “The Period Package,” which included sustainable menstrual products to help people stay healthy and reduce waste.

About Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy

Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy (OVCA) is a full-time public charter school authorized by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board and serves Oklahoma students in kindergarten through 12th grade. As part of the Oklahoma public school system, OVCA is tuition-free and gives parents and families the choice to access the curriculum and tools provided by K12, a Stride company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build their skills for the future. For more information about OVCA, visit ovca.k12.com.

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