Chicago River Student Congress

Saturday, February 22, 2025
8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 N. St. Louis Ave, Chicago 

Free and open to all students, geared towards middle and high school ages. Families, siblings, and friends are always welcome.

Registration is open to all!

Register to Attend

• You do not have to present to attend the event.
• Teachers/leaders may register groups on one form.
• All attendees, please submit this form by February 21.

Register to Present*

• You can present a workshop/exhibit a display (optional).
• *If you are presenting, please complete both forms.
• All presenters, please submit this form by February 12.

Register to Volunteer

Sponsor the Congress

 

Download the Save the Date to post on social media, or use as a poster in your clasroom to recruit students.

Download the 2025 Chicago River Student Congress Invitation.

Download our Event Map, Directions and Schedule.

Notice of Photography: Friends of the Chicago River and Northeastern Illinois University plan to capture photographs and video of this event. Be aware that if you or your child attends, you are consenting to the possibility that your child’s image and likeness (and your likeness if you attend) may be shared or published for marketing-communications purposes such as social media. This also applies to teachers who attend the event. Please alert the photographer if you don’t want your photograph taken.

Learn about river issues from peers and professionals, enjoy snacks and giveaways, and view live animals.

The Student Congress is a free student-led environmental conference highlighting student service-learning and leaders in the Chicago-Calumet River system. At this unique forum, students share their knowledge, experiences and enthusiasm about science, nature, and climate resiliency. Students present and attend informative workshops and displays created by their peers from all over the watershed and by professionals from colleges, non-profits and government agencies. All students are welcome, and it is especially geared towards those of middle school and high school ages.

Improving the Chicago-Calumet River system can seem a big task. But all big tasks are made up of smaller problems that we can overcome together. What can you do to improve the river for your community? Learn what students across the watershed are doing to learn, connect with, and care for the river. We should all be part of the discussion as we propose solutions. This year’s Congress will also focus on how students can attend college, volunteer, and train for jobs in environmental fields. During the Congress, students can teach and attend workshops, present and engage with poster displays, and interact with college students and various river professionals and potential employers.

Workshops and exhibits should highlight your experiences with the river in some way. We all play a vital role to safeguard the health of the river’s ecosystems for people, water, and wildlife. Other topics may also be accepted, but we prefer they fit our theme.

If you have questions about becoming part of the Student Congress, contact Mark Hauser at mhauser@chicagoriver.org.

Sponsor the Student Congress

Your support helps keep this event free and accessible to all students throughout the Chicago-Calumet River watershed as it inspires the next generation of environmental leaders. For sponsorship inquiries, reach out to Becky Lyons, director of equity and engagement, at blyons@chicagoriver.org or (312) 939-0490, ext 23. 

“It was definitely an eye-opener for me. It was great to see students' hard work on display, and I can't wait for my students to represent themselves at next year's Student Congress.”

Efunyemi Vertus, Young Women’s Leadership Charter School