Student-Powered Climate Comic Launched During Clean Energy Week

Million Solar Stars continues to blaze a trail at the International School of Denver, where innovation, collaboration, and climate action converge in a powerful new project: Solar Stars vs Dark Matter – The Battle Over Climate Change. This student-powered comic book, launched on September 17 during Clean Energy Week, is more than just a story. It’s a movement.

Creativity meets climate action

Led by Adam Hall, ISDenver’s MYP Design Lead and Chief Star Organizer, the comic was born from the Solar Star Challenge, a dynamic initiative that blends edtech, writing, and STEAM learning. Students teamed up with AI to create compelling heroes and villains, imagining a world where creativity fuels climate solutions. The result? A vibrant, action-packed comic that inspires global citizenship and youth-led change.

Illustrated by Rex Ander, a former art teacher from Argentina now working professionally in Peru, and authored by Mr. Hall, Solar Stars vs Dark Matter showcases how young minds can harness storytelling to tackle real-world challenges.

Powered by passion and solar energy

Million Solar Stars raised $3,178 from individuals and sponsors to bring Issue #1 to life, supporting its completion. A generous $2,000 grant from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation further boosted development, outreach, and distribution efforts, helping the comic reach classrooms and communities far beyond Denver

Adding even more energy to the initiative, the American Solar Energy Society’s Women’s PV Workshop has pledged to donate a 2kW solar array and inverter, an incredible gift valued at $5,000. This opens the door for ISDenver high school students to dream up solar-powered innovations on campus. Ideas are already flowing: a smoothie station, music stage, scoreboard, or even a fountain powered by the sun.

Expanding opportunities at ISDenver

Million Solar Stars’ flagship program, the Solar Star Challenge, is offered as an Xblock, after-school club, and summer program, ensuring students can engage with climate action across multiple formats. The Challenge includes four creative categories: Campaign, Comic, Artwork, and Design. Students submit STEAM projects for recognition through the Solar Star Awards, with winners selected each fall and spring by a panel of college intern judges. 

Building on the success of Issue #1, the team plans to translate the comic into Spanish, French, and Chinese, and also release Solar Stars vs Dark Matter, Issue #2 in Fall 2026. Through the Comic Challenge, students will continue harnessing their creativity to design heroes, villains, and storylines that bring climate action to life.

A global movement

Million Solar Stars has reached students in six countries and eleven schools, including China, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Brazil, Kenya, and the USA. Participating schools span from Denver Academy and CU Denver to international campuses like Bangkok Patana School and the International School of Beijing. Through the Dr. Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots network, even more students have joined the mission.

So far, over 5,000 students have engaged with Million Solar Stars to learn about solar energy. More than 1,250 individuals have taken the Solar Star Pledge, representing 120 schools across 43 countries and all 6 continents.

A legacy of empowerment

At its core, Million Solar Stars is about more than solar panels. It’s about empowering students to see themselves as creative problem-solvers and climate leaders. At ISDenver, this means cultivating a culture where innovation, sustainability, and global citizenship are woven into everyday learning. Beyond our school, the goal is to inspire families and communities to embrace renewable energy and take meaningful climate action.

As a future phase, Million Solar Stars aims to scale its impact even further, reaching more students, schools, and communities around the world. And yes, the buzz is already building around a possible return of the colorful Solar Mohawk at Viva el Dragon.

Million Solar Stars is a launchpad for student-led change. And at ISDenver, the future is looking brighter than ever.