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2026-27 Video Contest

Think, Create, and Compete for Cash Prizes

Each year, middle school, high school, and college students get the chance to speak out on big ideas—and compete for cash prizes. This year, we award over $13,000 to students in our video contest.

The contest helps students build valuable skills in communication, critical thinking, and digital media. Students may enter on their own, or teachers can assign it and earn rewards for participation.

Everything you need to participate is here. Read the details and get started!

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Submit by 11:59PM ET on March 12, 2027

Submit Videos Here

Students may submit on their own, or teachers may submit entries for their students.

I'm a Student
I'm a Teacher

Think, Create, and Compete for Cash Prizes

Each year, middle school, high school, and college students get the chance to speak out on big ideas—and compete for cash prizes. This year, we award over $13,000 to students in our video contest.

The contest helps students build valuable skills in communication, critical thinking, and digital media. Students may enter on their own, or teachers can assign it and earn rewards for participation.

Everything you need to participate is here. Read the details and get started!

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Submit by 11:59PM ET
on March 12, 2027

Submit Videos Here

Students may submit on their own, or teachers may submit entries for their students.

I'm a Student
I'm a Teacher

Video Contest at a Glance

Eligibility & Divisions

  • Middle School Division: Grades 5-8
  • High School Division: Grades 9-12
  • College Division: Undergraduate students
  • Residency: U.S., Canada, or U.S. military address

Key Dates

  • Submission Deadline:  March 12, 2027 by 11:59PM ET
  • Winners Announced: May 31, 2027

Student Awards for Each Division

First Place: $2,500
Second Place: $1,000
Five Finalists: $200

Teacher Rewards

Guaranteed Rewards

    • 30+ submissions earn you a $50 Amazon gift card
    • The teacher with the most submissions receives a $150 Amazon gift card

Opportunity Drawing

    • Each of your students’ submissions earn you an entry into a drawing for ten $50 Amazon gift cards

Video Requirements

  • Length: 1-3 minutes
  • Content: Address one of the four prompts
  • Creativity: AI-generated elements are permitted, but the video should demonstrate the student’s ability to think critically, craft an argument, prepare a script, and produce a video that is creative and effective.
  • Originality: Videos with plagiarized content will be disqualified.
  • Teamwork: Students may work together, but only the student on the entry form will be eligible to receive a prize.
Video Contest Guide
Last Year's Winning Entries
Topics & Prompts
Scoring Rubric
Complete Rules

Video Contest at a Glance

Eligibility & Divisions

  • Middle School Division: Grades 5-8
  • High School Division: Grades 9-12
  • College Division: Undergraduate students
  • Residency: U.S., Canada, or U.S. military address

Key Dates

  • Submission Deadline:  March 12, 2027 by 11:59PM ET
  • Winners Announced: May 31, 2027

Student Awards for Each Division

First Place: $2,500
Second Place: $1,000
Five Finalists: $200

Teacher Rewards

Guaranteed Rewards

    • 30+ submissions earn you a $50 Amazon gift card
    • The teacher with the most submissions receives a $150 Amazon gift card

Opportunity Drawing

    • Each of your students’ submissions earn you an entry into a drawing for ten $50 Amazon gift cards

Video Requirements

  • Length: 1-3 minutes
  • Content: Address one of the four prompts
  • Creativity: AI-generated elements are permitted, but the video should demonstrate the student’s ability to think critically, craft an argument, prepare a script, and produce a video that is creative and effective.
  • Originality: Videos with plagiarized content will be disqualified.
  • Teamwork: Students may work together, but only the student on the entry form will be eligible to receive a prize.
Video Contest Guide
Last Year's Winning Entries
Topics & Prompts
Scoring Rubric
Complete Rules

This Year’s Topics, Prompts, & Starter Resources

Choose one of this year’s prompts and build your case. Read the summaries, then click to see the full prompt and suggested starter resources.

Presidential Powers

Choose one specific use of executive power. Explore its legality and how other branches responded. Then take and support a position on whether that use was an abuse of executive power.

Full Prompt & Starter Resources →

Digital Privacy

Analyze how digital identification requirements and online verification affect privacy, security, and/or freedom. Does it even matter? Support your position with examples and evidence.

Full Prompt & Starter Resources →

Fraud in Government Programs

Evaluate proposed reforms to government programs or propose your own to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.

Full Prompt & Starter Resources →

Interest in Democratic Socialism / Communism

Examine this growing interest and evaluate how the historical experiences of countries governed under socialist or communist systems support or refute the messaging of these influencers.

Full Prompt & Starter Resources →

Tips for Creators

Essentials for a Standout Video

  • Review the complete contest rules before starting
  • Stick to the 1-3 minute time limit.
  • Be original and specific and make your video stand out.
  • Support claims with evidence and cite your sources.
  • Make sure we can access your video. Your video can be set to “Unlisted,” but not “Private.”
  • Review our Tips for Creating a Great Video.