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Statewide Video Contest

Dear Fifth/Sixth Grade Educators:

We invite your classrooms to participate in Illinois EPA’s Video Contest. The theme of the 2026 competition is Together for Healthier Air inviting students to think about creative ways that everyone can help keep air healthy individually and community wide. This could include using less electricity; considering alternatives to fossil fuels; limiting the burning of wood; and reducing reliance on gas-powered vehicles and lawn equipment. Class discussions and video submissions can also highlight positive environmental behaviors, such as increasing the number and health of neighborhood trees; choosing sustainably-produced and natural products; walking and bike riding; and taking public transportation or car pooling.

The top three winning groups will receive classroom certificates and a science kit. Winning videos may also be shared on Illinois EPA’s social media channels!

Participating in this contest will give your students an opportunity to express and share what they have learned on a deeper and more personal level using their creative and artistic abilities. The media portion also draws broader attention to the different ways we can all contribute to reducing our environmental impacts.

Additional details about the competition are available for download below. The “Participation Packet” includes the competition rules and required forms that need to be included with each entry. Please see below for more information.

If you have any questions, please contact Kristi Morris (kristi.morris@illinois.gov) or Eli Dollarhide (eli.dollarhide@illinois.gov). We look forward to receiving your submissions.

 

Contest Materials:

Participation Packet - Including guidelines, entry and release forms. Please note a signature is required on the release form and all fields must be completed.

Paquete de participación en español

 

Exhibit timetable:

January 2026

Educators introduce potential sources of air pollution and ways they can be reduced to help make a difference for healthier air, both individually and as a community.

Students create a video relating to the theme: Together for Healthier Air!

February 2
Teachers post their video on YouTube then submit the entry form with YouTube link and release form to Illinois EPA for judging. Entries must be submitted electronically by February 2, 2026. Submit entries to:  EPA.contest@illinois.gov

February 2026
Judging

April 2026
Winners announced

 

Informational resources can be found on the following web sites: