Podcast Contest: Caring for Soils: Measure, Manage, Monitor

The goal is to inspire children’s interest in soils and explain why it is essential to measure, manage, and monitor soils to keep them healthy and fertile.

Objectives

• The objectives of the contest are to:
  • Promote scientific knowledge and highlight the importance of measuring, managing, and monitoring soils to ensure their health using a medium which is appealing to youth.
  • Raise awareness and emphasize the urgency of caring for soils and the role of science in keeping them healthy.
  • Encourage creativity and innovation in how soil science is communicated to children.
  • Foster educational activities by engaging and encouraging children and schools to participate in soil science learning.
  • Highlight the role of technology and introduce children to modern tools and technologies used in soil science, such as drones, sensors, and satellite imagery. Explain how these innovations help scientists monitor soil health and contribute to more sustainable soil management practices.
  • Engage soil scientists, researchers, educators, and practitioners in sharing their knowledge with children.
  • Provide a platform for experts to contribute to public awareness, making complex soil science topics accessible and fascinating for young learners.

Funding Information

• 1st Prize: USD 1000
• 2nd Prize: USD 500
• 3rd Prize: USD 250

Eligibility Criteria

• This contest invites soil scientists, researchers, educators, artists, and creative individuals worldwide to help educate and raise awareness about soils among children, the future stewards of the planet.
• FAO’s GSP and IUSS welcome submissions from anyone interested in soil health and sustainable management, regardless of professional background. Each participant or group may submit only one original, unpublished video podcast based on the WSD 2024 motto: “Caring for Soils: Measure, Manage, Monitor.”

Application Requirements

• Target audience: Children aged 6-12 years old.
• Language: English.
• Content: Interdisciplinary, engaging, and inclusive, using formats such as dialogue, interviews, stories, fables, or news analysis related to the theme.
• Length: 5 to 8 minutes.
• Anonymity: Do not include names or institutional affiliations. A registration number will be assigned upon submission. FORMAT: MP4 format, with high video and audio quality.
• Audio script: An accompanying audio script must be provided with the podcast.
• Originality: The podcast must be the original work of the participant(s).

For more information, visit FAO.