Letters to the Next President 2.0 engages and connects youth aged 13–18, as they research, write, and make media to voice their opinions on issues that matter to them in the upcoming election.
Throughout the spring, KQED Education will host a series of multimedia skill-building activities, called Media Makes, for teachers and students to practice digital media making that facilitates dialogue around critical issues in this election.
Each Media Make includes:
An Invitation:
a compelling case for each media format and its unique value for expressing civic arguments
A Prompt:
a clear theme and call to action with specific parameters for student submissions
Submission Process:
a unique hashtag for each Media Make and a Google form to collect URLs and emails for each submission
Instructional Supports:
a recorded webinar moderated by a wide range of partners to provide resources, host live conversations, and point to technology tools for educators.
Below you will find updates about Media Make launch dates, submission deadlines, and webinars.
Media Make #1: #WhatsMyIssue Video
Instructions and Submission Guidelines
Video gives youth influence and a powerful voice in local and national issues. In our first media make, KQED and Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) invite students to create short videos (2 minutes or less) that respond to this question:
What 2016 election issue matters most to you? Make a short video that tells a story about how an election issue affects you, or your community. Tag your response with #WhatsMyIssue and #2NextPrez
KQED will select some of the most outstanding videos. Then, we will let the KQED audience vote for their favorites. Stay tuned for details!
Submissions will be accepted March 23, 2016 through May 15, 2016.
Media Make #2: Make Your Own Political Art
Instructions and Submission Guidelines
In our second Media Make we will examine the elements of influential political art, featuring such artists as Banksy and Corita Kent. We’ll discuss how students can make their own political art to address injustices that affect their daily lives, initiate discussion, and influence social issues.
Submissions will be accepted between April 15, 2016 and May 30,2016.
Media Make #3: Argue with Images! Infographics
Instructions and Submission Guidelines
Our third Media Make will focus on the power of data visualization to create compelling arguments about election issues. KQED and our partner Youth Radio will introduce different tools and formats for bringing data to life visually, and share best practices for helping students know where to start.
Submissions will be accepted between May 12, 2016 and June 24,2016.
Media Make #4: Spoken Word Letters
Instructions and Submission Guidelines
Join the Webinar (June 28, 4:00-5:00 p.m. PST)
Spoken word, or oral poetry, can help students critically examine dominant narratives, make sense of their own experience through language, and express themselves using their own vernacular.
For our fourth media make, KQED partners with Youth Speaks to offer students a chance to create oral “letters” to the next president.
LETTERS TO THE NEXT PRESIDENT 2.0
Join teachers and mentors to power civic participation for a new generation of youth.
Sign up to stay up to date with this national initiative, hosted by KQED and National Writing Project. Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter at @2NextPrez.