The 2026 Student Podcast Challenge Honorable Mentions
Enlarge this image LA Johnson/NPR LA Johnson/NPR Here are the honorable mentions from the 2026 NPR Student Podcast Challenge. You can listen to our middle school and high school finalists here.
Thanks again to students, teachers and educators for being a part of our annual contest! Please share your experience, send us photos and give us feedback at studentpodcastchcallenge@npr.org. And if you haven't already, check out our newsletter for the latest updates.
Congratulations to all these outstanding podcasts! Hope to hear from you again next year!
A Step AheadStudents: Alfred Cash Anderson, Amber Jan, Anna de Koning, Daphne Dalton, Fuller Phillipy, Harmony Guzman, Jax Freitag, Kalia Nabours, Kirra Drude, Lottie Wickham, Oliver Tait, Ryan Wilson, Lucy Luria, Wyatt Thompson, Olivia Chilingirian, Noah Cowell and Trey AdamsonTeacher/Sponsor: Andrew Luria, Thrive School in Encinitas, Calif.
AI vs. Polar BearsStudents: Oscar Zheng and Karter WuTeacher/Sponsor: James De Lange, Mesa Robles Middle School in Hacienda Heights, Calif.
Ants, Ants, and More AntsStudents: Nicole Piasecki, Sloane Rogers and Meghan WangTeacher/Sponsor: Kristie Guevremont, The Foote School in New Haven, Conn.
Autism ExplainedStudent: Luke DQTeacher/Sponsor: Kristie Guevremont, The Foote School in New Haven, Conn.
Childrens' Online LivesStudents: Amelia R Ramcharan and Sharini SomalingaTeacher/Sponsor: Elizabeth Kennedy, Riverwatch Middle School in Suwanee, Ga.
City Hope San FranciscoStudent: Samuel SchwartzTeacher/Sponsor: Sarah Costello, San Francisco Day School in San Francisco, Calif.
From Dorm Room to Dream: VC ExplainedStudent: Nina MattamanaTeacher/Sponsor: Anastasia Sullo, Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, Conn.
Homework StressStudents: Sylpa Jan Kafle, Emmerson Quinn and Dara WidzowskiTeacher/Sponsor: Jaime Harrington, Hewlett Elementary School in Hewlett, N.Y.
How Is My Life Like In USStudent: Yicheng SunTeacher/Sponsor: Andrew Barker, Rectory School in Pomfret, Conn.
Is It Worth the Hype?Students: Jocelyn Luea and Evie WolfTeacher/Sponsor: Karen Bonness, Highlands Elementary School in Mission, Ka.
Just Why? - HomeworkStudent: Derin DogruTeacher/Sponsor: Megan Tillotson, Thayer J. Hill Middle School in Naperville, Ill.
Life of a SoldierStudents: Della Axelband, Peyton Johnson, Lily Epstein and Lilly MurilloTeacher/Sponsor: Sireesha Rutter, Jupiter Middle School in Jupiter, Fla.
Malala Youzafei: The Impact of Her Life Upon her Loved Ones, and How Her Shooting Changed EVERYTHINGStudent: Tunjeena KhanTeacher/Sponsor: Jenna Conner-Harris, Lake Ridge Middle School in Woodbridge, Va.
Maxwell's History of Video GamesStudent: Maxwell GibbsTeacher/Sponsor: Jaime Harrington, Hewlett Elementary School in Hewlett, N.Y.
Middle Child MayhemStudents: Harry Sheridan and Scarlett LaFeminaTeacher/Sponsor: Amy Smith-Faczan, Victor Intermediate School in Victor, N.Y.
More Than A PhotographStudent: Josie Sloan-WestmorelandTeacher/Sponsor: David Bird, The Learning Community School in Swannanoa, N.C.
Moving From Country to CountryStudents: Ida Buerckert, Daniella Cubas, Ayano Enishi and Anastaiia KoshykTeacher/Sponsor: Alysson Olsen, Irving A. Robbins Middle School in Farmington, Conn.
My Wrestling WorldStudent: Emma EnquistTeacher/Sponsor: Gina Luber, Rocky Heights Middle School in Lone Tree, Colo.
Peas on EarthStudents: Ninette Khanna, Sophia Lacagnato, Julianna Marshall and Madison MarsillioTeacher/Sponsor: Lisa Scalici, Marlboro Middle School in Marlboro, N.J.
Perfectly PlacedStudent: Kate VogelTeacher/Sponsor: Laura Frisbie, Minnetonka Middle School West in Excelsior, Minn.
Roots to RoutesStudent: Aphrodite FlevarisTeacher/Sponsor: Jennifer Kahlenberg, Sunset Ridge School in Northfield, Ill.
Sheridan ScaresStudents: Olivia Robinson and Wells MonashTeacher/Sponsor: Kelsey Gamza, Sheridan School in Washington, D.C.
Soccer StartersStudents: Francesca DiGeronimo, Sophia Orozco and Bianca SobolewskiTeacher/Sponsor: Tara Meara, Marlboro Middle School in Marlboro, N.J.
Teddy Roosevelt and His PetsStudents: Abbott Mearns and Keaton RainwaterTeacher/Sponsor: Colindra Connolly at College Place Middle School in Lynnwood, Wash.
The Battle of Monmouth: A Twist on HistoryStudent: Leonardo Zinna KaidenTeacher/Sponsor: Tara Meara, Marlboro Middle School in Marlboro, N.J.
The Cost of a ClickStudents: Mallorie Branch, Lily Hall, Olivia Powell and Ella YanceyTeacher/Sponsor: Tonie Weddle, Mount Washington Middle School in Mount Washington, Ky.
The Largest Elk Herd in the World is in Colorado!Students: Piper Christofferson, Stella Reyes, Estelle Austin and Brooklynn BurneyTeacher/Sponsor: Karen Penry, Cloverleaf Enrichment School in Castle Rock, Colo.
The Reintroduction of Wolves in ColoradoStudents: Levi Baldwin and Jesse UngerTeacher/Sponsor: Karen Penry, Cloverleaf Enrichment School in Castle Rock, Colo.
The Unfair PlaybookStudent: Hanna DoldTeacher/Sponsor: Jennifer Kahlenberg, Sunset Ridge School in Northfield, Ill.
What the Sigma? Decoding Digital SlangStudents: Oscar Zheng and Karter WuTeacher/Sponsor: James De Lange, Mesa Robles Middle School in Hacienda Heights, Calif.
A Taste of His WorldStudent: Dounia Peters-AbbadiTeacher/Sponsor :Jennifer Billings, Marblehead High School in Marblehead, Mass.
Before You Drop a TrackStudent: Lukas BoulomTeacher/Sponsor: Su Hudson, Public Academy for Performing Arts in Albuquerque, N.M.
Big Brother is Always Watching: Exploring the Influence of the Internet on PoliticsStudent: Ayushi WadhwaTeacher/Sponsor: Allison Stitham, Kent Place School in Summit, N.J.
BlackpillmaxxingStudent: Percy GrayTeacher/Sponsor: Kyle Wannen, Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md.
Born After the Storm: MaiStudent: Mai SmithTeacher/Sponsor: Joanna Farley, Be Loud Studios in New Orleans, La.
Chronic HomeworkStudent: Owen WeissTeacher/Sponsor: Debra Klevens, Clayton High School in Clayton, Mo.
Combating Holocaust Denial with CreativityStudent: Eva SpiegelmanTeacher/Sponsor: Matthew Vogt, Roslyn High School in Roslyn Heights, N.Y.
Dear MotherStudent: Roxanne DeGrieTeacher/Sponsor: Paula Wolak, Renaissance High School in Franklin, Tenn.
"Deferred Acceptance": An Algorithm You Won't DeferStudent: Eric ShaoTeacher/Sponsor: Lauren Schechter, Mercer Island High School in Mercer Island, Wash.
Dollar Disparities: Is "Adequate" School Funding Good Enough?Students: Christopher Lin and Zadie KruglovTeacher/Sponsor: Molly Earle, Edgemont Jr./Sr. High School in Scarsdale, N.Y.
Everything Given ForwardStudent: Lara LeonTeacher/Sponsor: Tom Chang, Mountain View High School in Mountain View, Calif.
Fanfiction in the classroomStudents: Sana Reynolds, Jenna Westaby and Ash SpiegelTeacher/Sponsor: Katie Meyers, Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood, Mo.
Focusing through Music: How Music Expands Our Ability to ConcentrateStudent: Reid HeavnerTeacher/Sponsor: Hollis Fennen, Santa Rosa High School in Santa Rosa, Calif.
Foes to Friends: How One Fight Made Us Rethink Male FriendshipStudents: Aidan Robinson, Omri Dotan and Cesar VerdieTeacher/Sponsor: Jamie Rinaldi, Newton South High School in Newton, Mass.
Hope in MotionStudent: Najia KohzadTeacher/Sponsor: Laszlo Bardos, Emma Willard School in Troy, N.Y.
Improving the Accessibility and Affordability of Pursuing Higher EducationStudents: Abby Reid, Aryanna Balancier, Malonia Jackson and Denese ChisholmTeacher/Sponsor: Phillip Day, East Hartford High School in East Hartford, Conn.
LegaciesStudent: Isabella CisnerosTeacher/Sponsor: Su Hudson, Public Academy for Performing Arts in Albuquerque, N.M.
Lost in Transit, Found in StoriesStudents: Jacob Vadakkan, Joya Ishak, Nina Cantos, Ellice Lim and Bianca TarazhiTeacher/Sponsor: Molly Earle, Edgemont Jr./Sr. High School in Scarsdale, N.Y.
Mastering Time ManagementStudent: Connor RileyTeacher/Sponsor: Debra Klevens, Clayton High School in Clayton, Mo.
Misuse of Slang among TeenagersStudents: Jane Kasselman and Leslie ZhengTeacher/Sponsor: Laura Stewart, The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus, Miss.
Owning Backyard Chickens–What Are the Benefits?Students: Samantha Diamond and Carson WilliamsTeacher/Sponsor: Laura Stewart, The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus, Miss.
Pave the Parklet? The Debate Over Public Space in Newton CentreStudents: Emily Zhu and Mia SilbersteinTeacher/Sponsor: Jamie Rinaldi, Newton South High School in Newton, Mass.
Picketts ChargeStudent: Zoe SnyderTeacher/Sponsor: Terrance Shepler, Susquenita High School in Duncannon, Pa.
Pretending to Party: Acting Out to Fit InStudents: Naomi Allison and Liam KranenburgTeacher/Sponsor: Jamie Rinaldi, Newton South High School in Newton, Mass.
Setting The Record StraightStudents: Ray Bonney, Ike Nachman and Em SchecknerTeacher/Sponsor: Kyle Wannen, Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md.
Shades of GreenStudent: Drew GarfinkelTeacher/Sponsor: Debra Klevens, Clayton High School in Clayton, Mo.
Something to Hold OntoStudent: Amrita KumarTeacher/Sponsor: Kymberly Acuña, Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, N.J.
SUPER BIG SISTERStudent: Arianna CoronaTeacher/Sponsor: Rachel Reyes, West Hempstead Secondary School in West Hempstead, N.Y.
The Art of Wingmaning: The Dating ShiftStudents: Noelle Elizabeth Howell, Ornelle Nguedjieu and Payton Ariella NewsomeTeacher/Sponsor: Kyle Wannen, Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Md.
The Dinosaurs Will DisappearStudent: Lola Melian LafinurTeacher/Sponsor: Lauren Schechter, Mercer Island High School in Mercer Island, Wash.
The Flutter of Forbidden PagesStudent: Cristel CabralTeacher/Sponsor: Joel Ruvalcaba, J. Sterling Morton High School East in Cicero, Ill.
The Harm to Communities from Aggressive Immigration EnforcementStudent: Irene DoyleTeacher/Sponsor: Laura Stewart, The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus, Miss.
The Sound of Both: Finding Identity in Ethiopian JazzStudent: Gabe NortonTeacher/Sponsor: Jamie Rinaldi, Newton South High School in Newton, Mass.
The Things We ForgetStudent: Ariah OrsiTeacher/Sponsor: Alicia Borcich Abuliak, Fort Bragg High School in Fort Bragg, Calif.
To My Mother, After AlcoholStudent: Allison WangTeacher/Sponsor: Arielle Chang, Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine, Calif.
UnwrappedStudent: Avinash PrasadTeacher/Sponsor: Megan McCann, El Segundo High School in El Segundo, Calif.
What We Win When We LoseStudents: Nate Sanwald, Ryan Sanwald and Jackson RohrerTeacher/Sponsor: Devon Treharne, Shelter Island High School in Shelter Island, N.Y.
Where Have the Fireflies Gone?Student: Angelina TanTeacher/Sponsor: Laura Stewart, The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus, Miss.
Whose Hawaii Is It?Students: Elijah Sorge, Neveah Smith, Krystelle Jamhil Tacata, Kalea Planas and Caleb TabaTeacher/Sponsor: Jonathan Medeiros, Kauai High School in Lihue, Hawaii
NPR does not offer or accept money for coverage or interviews. Anyone who makes such an offer or request is not an NPR employee and does not represent NPR.
