0
Scripps National Student Podcast Challenge The Scripps National Student Podcast Challenge is a U.S. student audio competition that recognizes outstanding podcasts created by K-12 (and often college) students. It is associated with The E.W. Scripps Company and aligned with the broader growth of youth podcasting in schools across the United States.
Key facts Scope: National competition for U.S. students
Medium: Short-form narrative or documentary-style podcasts
Organizer/Presenter: E.W. Scripps-affiliated organizations and partners
Recognition: Treated as a competitive award for emerging student audio storytellers
Country: United States
Background and purpose The challenge is modeled on established student podcast contests, inviting young people to pitch, script, record, and edit original audio stories. It aims to introduce students to journalistic and narrative techniques, encourage critical thinking and research, and give them an authentic audience beyond the classroom. Teachers frequently integrate it into English, social studies, and media courses as a capstone or project-based learning assignment, similar in spirit to NPR’s long-running Student Podcast Challenge.
Award structure and recognition The competition typically recognizes top entries with a national title and additional category or grade-band awards. Winners and finalists may receive certificates, public showcases of their work on affiliated media outlets, and sometimes equipment or scholarship support. As an award entity, the Scripps National Student Podcast Challenge functions as both a contest and a credential that students can cite in portfolios, college applications, or early-career media resumes, signaling achievement in audio storytelling and production.
