Environmental Education that inspires change
Piedmont Environmental Alliance’s youth education programs engage thousands of kids and teens in environmental issues every year. We focus on building skills in science and leadership while providing practical tips about making environmentally sustainable and socially responsible choices. Our programs motivate youth to take action in our community to promote sustainability and combat climate change.
Participants leave our programs ready and excited to share with parents, friends, and others about important environmental topics and actionable steps to protect our planet’s resources. By providing new and stimulating opportunities for kids and teens in the Triad to learn about science, current events, and the environment, PEA inspires youth to become the leaders, scientists, activists, and environmentalists who will solve the complex issues facing our planet.
Our programs are developed and executed in partnership with Wake Forest University's Wake Debate Program and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
Thanks to our Environmental Education Program Sponsors:
Energy Explorers
Energy Explorers is a hands-on education program that teaches kids how energy transforms, its effects on the environment and the importance of conservation. Students get a taste for environmental stewardship and leave the program motivated to make changes to their daily habits. The program is geared toward students in 4th – 9th grades, but can be customized for all ages.
Thanks to our partnership with Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools, PEA provides the program in 7th grade classrooms across the county. In 2025-2026, Energy Explorers reached 2,450+ students across 16+ schools and camps with 100% of teachers participating said they would recommend the program to other teachers and classrooms.
Every Drop Counts
Every Drop Counts, PEA's water curriculum, inspires students to protect and conserve a precious natural resource-- water! Students will learn about the key characteristics that make water so crucial to our survival through interactive activities and engaging demonstrations. Students will understand the distribution of all the water on earth and discover the relationship between climate change and our access to water. They will also learn the many ways they can prevent water waste and protect our water sources from pollution.
Thanks to our partnership with Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools, PEA provides the program in 9th grade classrooms across the county. In 2025-2026, Every Drop Counts reached 1,100+ students across 13+ schools and camps with 100% of teachers participating said they would recommend the program to other teachers and classrooms.
Green Teens Toolkit
Environmental Debate
PEA’s FREE Environmental Debate Program develops young environmental leaders with the skills, knowledge, and passion to become change-makers in the community. Students debate a topic that addresses a current and key environmental issue, including solutions to the ongoing climate crisis.
Debate is a fun and powerful way for students to develop critical thinking skills, question the status quo, and deepen understanding of key environmental topics. Studies have shown that high school debate students graduate at higher rates, score better on ACT and SAT tests, get into better colleges, and perform better once in college.
Want to participate? Click here to learn more.
Young Eco Leaders
Do you want to help an elementary student develop a connection to the natural world and a passion for environmental action? Our Young Eco Leaders program invites young students to complete activities in 5 climate-action categories to become a Certified PEA Young Eco Leader.
Educational Videos
Our suite of educational videos provides on-demand learning opportunities for student, teacher, or family use that mirror our Energy Explorers and Every Drop Counts programming.
If your student has experienced one of our programs, if you're thinking of bringing our programs to your classroom, or if you'd like to learn more about energy and water, check them out!