Follett Challenge Seeks Winning Examples of 21st Century Learning

Teachers have a little over six weeks to enter this year's Follett Challenge, which will recognize 13 winners who share their written and video stories on how they help prepare students for the demands of the 21st century. Follett sells print and digital content into 80,000 schools.

Last year, tiny Chase County Elementary School in Strong City, KS, was named grand prize winner for its project-based learning program in which students use livestock to learn STEM. At that school fifth-grade students purchase, raise and sell calves to earn profits and learn how to use technology and problem-solve. "We do everything," declared one student in a video about the project — prepping the barn, going to auction to acquire the calves, acquiring feed and tracking the expenses, feeding the livestock (including on the weekends), weighing them every 20 days with the help of local ranchers and giving them medicine and tagging and branding them.

"Being named the grand prize winner of the Follett Challenge has opened doors for our students," said Chase County Elementary Principal, Pam Bevan, in a prepared statement. "Students already have had opportunities to create, collaborate, problem solve and explore with all of the wonderful books and materials from Follett. Plus, later this fall we will be dedicating our new 'Follett Challenge MakerSpace Room.'"

Chase Elementary School

Last year's grand prize winning school, Chase County Elementary School

The latest competition will recognize 13 winners:

  • Three semi-finalists, one in elementary school, another in middle school and a third in high school, determined by a mix of judges' rubric and popular votes; each of those winners will get $30,000 in Follett products and services;
  • The grand prize winner — chosen from three semi-finalists — who will receive an additional $30,000 in Follett resources; and
  • 10 "people's choice" victors, who will receive $8,000 in Follett products and services.

Those eligible to enter include teachers, administrators, parent groups and librarians and instructional technology or media specialists in public and private K-12 schools in the United States, Canada and Australia.

Entrants complete an online application and upload a three- to five-minute video that describes their program. Judging criteria include how well the program involves ongoing collaboration across diverse school roles, how it encourages students to innovate using a variety of media and technology to convey their ideas and how sustainable the program is, among other aspects.

Entries are due by Dec. 15, 2017. The Follett Challenge website includes resources to help entrants promote their videos for the popular-vote part of the contest, which begins in January 2018.

Learn more on the Follett Challenge website.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Abstract AI circuit board pattern

    Nonprofit LawZero to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

    Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • magnifying glass with AI icon in the center

    Google Releases Learning-Themed AI Mode Features for Search

    Ahead of back-to-school season, Google has introduced new AI Mode features in Search, including image and PDF queries on desktop, a Canvas tool for planning, real-time help with Search Live, and Lens integration in Chrome.

  • sunlit classroom with laptops on every desk, each displaying a glowing AI speech bubble icon above the screen

    Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot to Become Available for Teen Students

    This summer, Microsoft is expanding availability of its Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot products for students aged 13 and older. Administrators will be able to grant access for students based on their institution's plans and preferences, the company announced in a blog post.