Who is eligible to participate?

Any student currently in grades 9-12 at a U.S. school is eligible to participate. This includes homeschooled students. Students need not be an American citizen to participate.

My school is not in a vulnerability zone. Can I still participate?

Absolutely! You can highlight risks from surrounding communities or from nearby chemical facilities whose vulnerability zones are not known.

Can I talk about other industrial facilities not on interactive map?

Yes. The basic criteria is to 1) talk about the risk from hazardous chemical facilities, and 2) propose at least one solution to this issue. You can talk about the facilities included in our interactive map, or about the unknown risks from additional facilities not included in the map.  

Do I have to focus on risks in my own community?

No. You are free to talk about the issue from a national level or highlight communities facing increased risk, even if you do not live in these communities.

Can I interview adults in my video?

Yes. Just be sure that they sign the Actor Release Form. You will be required to submit this form.

Can I include actors/extras in my video who are not student contributors?

Yes. Just be sure that they sign the Actor Release Form; if they are under 18, their parents must sign the form as well.  You will be required to submit this form along with your video.

Can my teacher or another adult help create my video?

You may seek advice from teachers or other adults. However, adults may not write the script, provide editing services, or assume any other production roles. Additionally, you may not seek out professional production assistance.

How will my video be judged?

Videos will be screened to ensure they fulfill the time requirements and do not include offensive or copyrighted material. Videos that make it past this initial screening will be then be judged according to our Judging Rubric.

When is the deadline to submit a video?

Videos must be received by 11:59pm EST on March 18, 2016.

Where do I submit my video?

Upload your video to Dropbox or Google Drive. Then copy the link and include it on the Video Submission Form.

When will I learn whether I am a finalist?

Finalists will be notified in April. We will also notify all students whose videos did not make it into the final round in April.

When will winners be announced?

Winners will be announced in May, and cash prizes awarded shortly thereafter.

Do you accept group projects?

Yes. There is no limit to the number of students grades 9-12 who may contribute to a video. However, one student must be designated as the “Primary Contact,” and you can name an additional four contributors, all of whom will be recognized if the video becomes a finalist.

How will cash prizes be awarded to group projects?

Cash prizes will be awarded to the primary contact. He/she will be solely responsible for determining whether or not to distribute the prize money among the group. 

How many videos can I submit?

You can submit one video per category, whether submitted as an individual or group project. The categories include a 60-second public service announcement and a 5-7 minute documentary.

Can I use copyrighted music and images?

You may include copyrighted content only if you purchase the right to include it or receive written permission from its owner. If you are chosen as a finalist, you will be required to provide written proof that you have permission to use copyrighted content. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

Can I use outside sources to create my message?

You may cite outside sources for your video. You must include all outside sources in a “works cited” page when you submit your video. Please note that plagiarism (presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own) will result in immediate disqualification.

Whom can I contact if I have additional questions or problems uploading my video?

Please email contests@foreffectivegov.org with any questions. You should receive a response within three business days.

Ready to go?