2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR PROMPTS

Students will have many different ways to create stories this school year. Everything from fun, vertical social media videos, to audio stories about role models for season five of SRL’s podcast On Our Minds, and in-depth video projects covering current events and the 2024 elections, to other topics including America’s hidden histories, climate change, and stories about immigrants and first-generation Americans. Selected student work will be featured on national, regional and local news outlets and social media– including the PBS NewsHour’s broadcast and digital platforms.

• America’s Hidden Histories - Explore events and people left out of the history books.
• Election 2024: Young Leaders - Share stories about young people taking part in the 2024 elections: from activists, to organizers, campaign volunteers, election workers, and young people running for office. DEADLINE: October 11, 2024
• Election 2024: Toolkit - Your go-to for 2024 election student journalism resources.
• Exploring Immigrant Experiences - What does it mean to fit in and feel American? If you or your parents were born in another country, how do you stay connected to more than one culture?
• Climate change in my community - Seeking: local stories about climate change and the environment.

NOTE: The SRL team evaluates pieces based on this criteria. Please be sure your stories incorporate these requirements.

This year, instead of submitting fully produced stories, SRL invites students to pitch their story ideas first.

PRO TIPS BEFORE BEFORE PITCHING YOUR STORY:

• RESEARCH: Spend time doing research, talk to people you’d like to interview, and shape your story idea.
• WATCH: this short video about pitching
• REVIEW: this pitch example before submitting your idea.

SUBMIT YOUR PITCH:

• Submit your pitch using this form. Pitches will also be accepted on a rolling basis August 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025.

SUCCESSFUL PITCHES WILL:

• Show clear evidence of research
• Tell a compelling story
• List specific people you intend to interview

If your pitch is selected, you will work with an SRL Youth Media Producer to further develop your story for publication. If selected, a team member will contact you within three weeks of your submission.

OOM Season 5: Podcast and Audio Storytelling - Student Reporting Labs’ award-winning podcast, On Our Minds, explores the teenage experience –made by teens for teens! Season 5 will explore the theme: “Who Inspires You?” We invite Student reporters to create audio stories and interviews that highlight people they look up to, including friends, families, teams, schools communities, or people in the public sphere.

Look for these throughout the year.

• How Hawaii students convinced schools to provide free menstrual products
• National Mall’s public art exhibit explores American resilience and untold stories
• Native American Students Take Pride in Showcasing Culture at School
• Austin educator celebrates Mexican culture by teaching mariachi music
• On Our Minds: How do you define success? (podcast)
• On Our Minds: How to manage climate anxiety with activist Sophia Kianni (podcast)

All prompts were developed during the previous school year by SRL's Student Advisory Team. Students who are interested in participating on the 2024-2025 Student Advisory Team may apply by September 15, 2024 using this form.

Find more tips and resources for reporting on this year’s prompts here.