The 2025 Slingshot Challenge is Open!

Do you have a big idea to improve the environment?  If you’re a teacher or a student between the ages of 13-18, the National Geographic Society wants to help you share it.

Changing the future of our planet begins with small steps, with great ideas that drive impact in your community.  We believe that together, our ideas and actions will add up to progress protecting our planet and improving our future.
 

Students 13 years of age or older are invited to rise to the challenge and submit a one-minute video describing their idea for solving environmental issues for a chance to receive up to $10,000 in funding.  This is your opportunity to share your ideas for slingshotting our planet forward!  Sign up to get started today.
 

The National Geographic Slingshot Challenge is open for 2024-25 submissions, and student participants can receive up to $10,000 in funding by creating a one-minute video for the competition.
Plastic Free Delaware has received National Geographic funding support to serve as the Slingshot Challenge Supporter for Delaware for 2024-2025.  Interested students and teachers can get started HERE. 

 
ENTER THE GLOBAL COMPETITION: NatGeo offering cash prizes up to $10,000 globally.

AND, ENTER THE DELAWARE COMPETITION: Plastic Free Delaware is offering cash prizes of $250 (1st), $100 (2nd) and $50 (3rd) for entries from teens who reside in Delaware. Separate entry form (online - click here to submit).

Curious how to get started? First, choose one or more of these five topic areas that you feel most passionate about:

• Addressing climate change
• Reducing waste
• Protecting nature
• Cleaning the air
• Restoring the ocean

Next, start to think of a solution to address your chosen topic area. Remember, the project is looking for ALL solutions—no idea is too big or too small. When you’ve settled on a solution, create and submit your 1-minute video detailing your idea for a chance to win up to $10,000 in funding in the global competition, and $250 in the statewide competition! 

Next, start to think of a solution to address your chosen topic area.  Remember, the project is looking for ALL solutions—no idea is too big or too small.  When you’ve settled on a solution, create and submit your 1-minute video detailing your idea for a chance to receive up to $10,000 in funding.  For more details on the challenge and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the Resources page.  The HELP Center can answer many of your questions.  To see the award recipients and example submissions from previous years, visit the Slingshot Showcase.  And, if you’re looking to brainstorm your ideas, be sure to sign up to attend a virtual Solution Design Lab or Office Hours session where you can receive advice and support along the way.  See below for entry requirements and don’t forget to submit your video by February 7, 2025.
 

Entry Requirements

Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your video:

• Videos must focus on a social issue and inspire positive change, with a clear call to action.
• Videos must be no longer than one minute, and no larger than 200 Mb.
• Video entries can be created by one person, or in teams of up to six members.
• All video content must be your own original work. Care must be taken with any other material to ensure you have copyright approval and that it follows the Videos for Change community guidelines.
• Videos must be in English or Spanish.

A Houston-area student received multiple Slingshot Challenge and People’s Choice Award recognitions last year for a video titled “The 15-Minute City”, and in 2023 Kayla Ling was a winner with “No Waste Nation.”