
Hear what the next generation has to say about our world
The KQED Youth Media Challenge invites middle and high school students to explore how they see themselves, their world, and their future by creating original audio, video and images and publishing them on the Challenge Showcase.
Explore featured youth media below, or click to find out how to do the Challenge with your students!
Amplify student voice through media making and authentic audience
The KQED Youth Media Challenge empowers students to share their ideas through audio, video and images. Choose from three FREE standards-aligned projects, complete with ready to use, modifiable curricular supports. Great for ELA, science, social studies and more.
Who can participate?
The Challenge is open to middle and high school students. Any educator—from teachers to librarians to youth program leaders—can participate by creating an account. (No login needed for students!)
When does it happen?
We welcome submissions year-round, from classrooms, after-school programs and summer camps. Periodically, we have deadline-based opportunities to highlight students’ work. Subscribe for updates.
Authentic audience
Student submissions are published on the KQED Youth Media Challenge Showcase. Select pieces may be shared on KQED digital and broadcast channels and via PBS and NPR stations around the country. Read our Student Publishing FAQs.
Get Started with Free Curriculum
Engage student voice and choice with project-based learning that challenges students to use media to have their say, share what they know or tell their own stories.
Commentary
Call for Change
Students choose a local, national or global topic and express their views in an issue-based audio or video commentary or editorial cartoon.
Informational
Show What You Know
Students show what they know about a topic, concept or scientific phenomenon in a podcast, mini-documentary or infographic.
Personal Narrative
First Person
Students share a memory, story or life lesson about themselves or their community in a personal narrative audio essay, short film or photo essay.