Individual or team of 2–6 · Podcast, cover art, and portfolio
Audio Podcasting
You will create an original podcast that reports news from the future.
What you make or do
- Record an original audio podcast that is more than one minute and less than five minutes long.
- Create square podcast cover art and a PDF portfolio documenting your audio timeline, tools, sources, work log, self-evaluation, and copyright checklist.
This year’s challenge
For Breaking News from the Future, report on a fictional future event, discovery, invention, or crisis as though it is happening live.
How the competition works
Before the event
Plan, record, and edit your podcast. Submit an accessible link to the audio and your portfolio PDF by the national pre-conference deadline.
First round
Judges review the podcast first. The highest-ranking entries then have their portfolios evaluated to select semifinalists.
If you advance
Create additional podcast audio for a new challenge revealed at the conference. You have 36 hours and must submit the audio link and copyright checklist PDF.
Know before you choose: The cover art is a required part of the entry. Your team also brings its own recording and editing equipment for the conference challenge.
How your work is scored
Judges assess the podcast's creativity, organization, style, and listener appeal, along with the portfolio and cover art. The conference podcast is scored separately.
Read the full 2027 theme or preparation information
Official files to keep
- Download the full event guide (PDF)
- Download the official rubric or score sheet (PDF)
- Download the general rules (PDF)
- Download the complete guide with the forms appendix (PDF)
Read the guide, current challenge, and updates together. This overview helps you choose; the official documents give the full requirements.
Guide evidence: 39–48. Annual sources checked September 10, 2026. These are national competition rules; your teacher will confirm any regional or state changes.
Interested in this event?
Use the notes sheet to check what this choice would involve.
Start my competition notes