Student Congress

Photos by Todd Crawford

You're invited!

The Chicago River Student Congress
Saturday February 28, 2026
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

On the campus of Northeastern Illinois University (Map)

Student Congress Invitation (to share)

Teachers can earn 3 CPDUs for attending through the NEIU College of Education

Student Registration

Workshop List & Schedule
Register for Workshops (individual Students only - teachers, environmental professionals, and parents need not register for workshops)

  1. Please register for just one activity for each of the four sessions. That will be three workshop sessions and one display session total. If the workshop is not listed then the session is full.
  2. If you are scheduled to present at the Congress, start by registering for each session that you are presenting, then fill out your schedule with other choices.
  3. You must register for at least one “Display” session during the Congress (can be during session 1, 2, 3, or 4). If you do not select a "Display" session one will be chosen for you.
  4. Please complete all requested information, as your registration will be waiting for you when you arrive to the event. If we cannot recognize you, you will have to re-register at the Congress (when fewer choices will be available).
  5. You should receive a confirmation email within one week of completing the form. Please contact mhauser@chicagoriver.org if you do not hear from Friends directly.

Online registration (workshop selection) will be available until Monday, February 23 at 5:00pm.

If you miss the registration deadline, you can still attend and register at the event – just show up – walk-ins are welcome!

Tabling / Displays

Display Guidelines
Display Application Form (due by Feb. 20)

Volunteering and Sponsorship

Sign up to Volunteer (must be 18+)
Sponsor the Congress

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

The Student Congress is a free student-driven 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. The Student Congress is free and open to all students, especially those in middle school and high school. Families, siblings, and friends are always welcome.

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.

If you have questions about becoming part of the Student Congress, contact our education staff. 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, plants, water, and wildlife.

2026 Sponsors

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. 

Thank you to the over 250 students from across the Chicago-Calumet River watershed who attended the Student Congress in 2025.

Over 40 schools were represented, including over two dozen CPS schools and students as far away as East Chicago, Aurora, Waukegan, and Rockford. Also in attendance were over 80 teachers, professors, and environmental professionals from Chicago Muslims Green Team, Current, EarthEcho International, the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Geographic Society of Chicago, IL-IN Sea Grant, Imani Village, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, REACH, and Xylem. Thank you all for your expertise.

“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