Slingshot Challenge
Fort Hays State University’s Department of Geosciences is working with the National Geographic Society in supporting submissions to the Slingshot Challenge from Kansas students.
Apply for the FHSU Geosciences Kansas Slingshot Summer Institute.
The Slingshot Challenge is a global education initiative designed to foster student awareness of environmental challenges or issues, promote stewardship, and work to brainstorm answers through active problem-solving. The challenge is open to 13-18 year olds (age at the time of submission). Students are asked to create one-minute informational videos describing a self-chosen issue, providing potential solutions, and inspiring others to action.
Submissions accepted from both individuals and teams.
All entries will be reviewed by a National Geographic appointed selection panel. Top submitted entries are eligible to be selected to receive up to $10,000 in funding and the opportunity to apply to attend the NGS Explorers Festival in June. All participants will receive a digital certificate and receive an invitation to the challenge virtual recognition event.
Deadline for 2025 Challenge submissions is TBD.
Prepare yourself for the Challenge
Apply to attend the FHSU Geosciences Kansas Slingshot Challenge Institute, June 2-7.
The institute will prepare educators, staff members, and support staff towards successfully integrating the competition into the classroom.
Enter the Challenge Competition
- Join the Slingshot Challenge. This will give you access to the toolkit, updates, and a link to complete step two.
- Register on Videos for Change. You can view previously submitted videos for ideas. And this is where you will need to submit your own video to the challenge.
- Download the challenge toolkit, download link will be in the email received when you joined the challenge in step one.
- Plan, create, and submit your 1-minue video by February 1st.
Additional resources
- Click here to learn more about the Slingshot Challenge
- Challenge FAQ’s and other Resources
- Virtual Workshops via Solution Design labs – Register here
- Watch Previous Award Winning Videos
- Plan for Challenge 2025! - Attend FHSU's Department of Geosciences Summer Institute, July 2-7, 2024. Institute will focus on helping teachers implement this initiative in the classroom for 2025.
Are you a teacher with students wanting to participate in 2025 and have questions not answered in the links above?
Contact: Dr. Richard Lisichenko, rlisiche@fhsu.edu, Slingshot Challenge – KS initiative lead