Welcome to the PBS NewsHour Student Journalism Challenge, made possible with funding from the XQ Institute. This is your chance to get published and win prizes!
The challenge is for everyone ages 13-18 to use your curiosity and critical thinking to reflect on the education you’ve had and the opportunities you want for future generations.
Individuals or teams can submit ORIGINAL print, audio, or video pieces that respond to the theme of “My education, my future” (read more below!) Please note that an adult (teacher, after-school program or club advisor, parent, etc.) must submit on behalf of any student under age 18.
All entries will be evaluated by a panel of professional journalists using a rubric to assess excellence in content, execution, and creativity. Ten finalists will be selected in each of the categories of print, video, and audio, and two winners will be selected in each category.
Winning entries will be published and promoted on PBS Newshour Student Reporting Labs platforms and channels, participating local PBS stations, and XQ. Print winners will also be published on the Forbes.com Well Beings Blog. Winners will also receive prizes, mentoring opportunities and a $250 gift card!
The deadline to submit your entry is December 2, 2022. Winners will be announced in early 2023.
There are three categories for this challenge: print, audio, and video. Please note that each student can only submit an entry in ONE category. All submissions must be newly produced and created between August 1 and December 2, 2022. Please see rules and eligibility details below.
See more details, including eligibility and rules, in the 'Assignment' tab.
This should be a written piece of journalism. It could be a report, a feature article, an explainer, etc. The word limit is 500 words.
This might be a two-way interview, a reported piece with multiple interviews and audio scenes, etc. Audio pieces should be no longer than 4 minutes. Accepted file types include .aiff or .wav
This can be an interview, a news package, an explainer, etc. Videos should be no longer than 4 minutes. All entries must be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo - you will submit a link. All interviewees appearing on camera must sign a media release form.
A subject or problem that people are thinking and talking about
Investigating and explaining, in a critical and clear-eyed way, how people try to solve widely shared problems. Solutions journalism focuses on responses to problems.
In news, it’s a story’s point or theme. It's the lens through which the producer or writer filters the information they have gathered and focuses it to make it meaningful to viewers or readers.
A conversation between two or more people where the purpose is to gather information and facts. The interviewer asks questions and the interviewee provides information based on their knowledge about a specific topic or issue.
An account of past or current events. In journalism, stories are presented with a combination of people, facts, and typically includes a beginning, middle and end.
A person or other physical being in a narrative. Stories are made up of different characters who provide information and help shape the narrative with their knowledge, experience and perspective.
A description of what your story might be and WHY it’s important. An outline of your story idea and the steps to achieve your goal. A summary of what you hope to accomplish in your story
A document with transcribed (written-out) soundbites and voiceover narration. A VIDEO script is a two-column document with the audio (soundbites and voice over) in the right-hand column and a description of what the audience sees (visuals) in the left-hand column.
Narration and/or voiceover (VO) with a host, commentary, research, personal experiences, explanations, infographics, nats (natural sound), music, entertainment.
A short extract or clip from a recorded interview, chosen for its relevance to the story, pungency or appropriateness.
The primary video and audio that drives your story from beginning to end.
An investigation into and study of sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
A word-for-word document of what was said in a conversation or interview
The supplemental footage used to visually support your A-ROLL.
Search: broll.
Explain points of agreement and disagreement experts have about interpretations and applications of disciplinary concepts and ideas associated with a supporting question and explain how supporting questions contribute to an inquiry and how, through engaging source work, new compelling and supporting questions emerge. (NCSS D1.3.9-12 - D1.4.9-12)
Historical understanding requires recognizing this multiplicity of points of view in the past, which makes it important to seek out a range of sources on any historical question rather than simply use those that are easiest to find. It also requires recognizing that perspectives change over time, so that historical understanding requires developing a sense of empathy with people in the past whose perspectives might be very different from those of today. (NCSS D2.His.4.9-12 - D2.His.8.9-12)
Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals. (ISTE)
Whether students are constructing opinions, explanation, or arguments, they will gather information from a variety of sources and evaluate the relevance of that information. (NCSS D3.1.9-12 - D3.2.9-12)
Journalism
Video Production
Civics
Education
Digital Literacy/Citizenship
History
Active Prompts
Intermediate
Advanced
Mic
Online Worksheet
Computers
Camera or Mobile Phone
Internet
Notebook
Light Kit
4-6 weeks
All media created should respond to the theme: My education, my future. This can include exploring some of the big questions and topics below: How is school preparing you for your future? What’s working, and what’s not? How is education adapting to our changing world? What do you want from your education that doesn’t currently exist?
Some ideas to consider:
The deadline to submit to this challenge is December 2, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.
Students are also encouraged to publish their stories on their school/club/program website or through video/social platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or Twitter and tag Student Reporting Labs, in addition to submitting
FACEBOOK: /STUDENTREPORTINGLABS