Population Education opens 2027 World of 8 Billion video contest

Population Education has launched the 2027 World of 8 Billion student video contest for grades 6–12, with more than $10,000 in prizes and entries due March 3, 2027. Students will create 60-second videos on Fresh Water Use, Extreme Weather, or City Planning, while educators can seek mini-grants to bring the contest into classrooms.

Why it matters: - The contest asks students to connect population growth to real-world problems that affect communities and the planet. - The program is built to strengthen research, critical thinking, communication and media skills across classroom subjects. - More than $10,000 in prizes adds a direct incentive for student participation.

What happened: - Population Education launched the 2027 World of 8 Billion student video contest on Sept. 2, 2026. - Middle and high school students in grades 6–12 around the world are invited to create a 60-second video proposing a sustainable solution to a challenge tied to population growth. - This year’s contest topics are Fresh Water Use, Extreme Weather and City Planning. - Entries are due March 3, 2027.

The details: - Population Education says tens of thousands of students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries have taken part since the contest began. - The contest is sponsored by Population Education, a program of Population Connection. - Past entries have covered food and agriculture, ocean health, energy, urbanization and biodiversity. - A panel of more than 30 judges will evaluate entries and select the winners. - The judging panel includes educators, filmmakers and subject-matter experts. - Educators can apply for $100–$500 mini-grants to help bring the contest into classrooms. - Mini-grant applications are due Oct. 30, 2026, through World of 8 Billion grant information.

Between the lines: - The contest is designed to turn a global issue into a classroom project students can approach through research and storytelling. - The topic choices point to pressures that are already visible in daily life, especially water availability, extreme weather and how cities grow. - Pam Wasserman, Population Connection’s senior vice president for education, said the contest gives teachers a hands-on way to connect classroom learning to challenges students see around them. - Wasserman said students are researching solutions, forming their own ideas and using their voices to share them.

What's next: - Students will develop and submit 60-second videos before the March 3, 2027 deadline. - Educators interested in classroom support must apply for mini-grants by Oct. 30, 2026. - Judges will review entries and name winning videos after the submission period closes. - More information is available through the contest site at World of 8 Billion.

The bottom line: - Population Education is using a contest format to push students to turn population-related challenges into practical, solution-focused video stories.