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Civics Challenge
NCACC Sponsoring High School Civics Challenge
Challenge Overview:
The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) is sponsoring a Civics Challenge to engage high school students on issues that impact county government. High school students throughout the state are encouraged to participate in this unique contest, which requires applicants to create a “PechaKucha” presentation to share something of importance about county government.
PechaKucha is a method of PowerPoint created by architects in Tokyo, Japan. PechaKucha uses imagery and spoken word narration to create a seamless and concise presentation. PechaKucha presentations must consist of 20 images, displayed for 20 seconds each, and voice narration is used to tell the story. Applicants may click here for guidance on how to create a PechaKucha, including step-by-step instructions and a PechaKucha video on how to create a PechaKucha.
Challenge Details:
Who’s eligible to participate?
North Carolina high school students are eligible to enter the NCACC Civics Challenge. Students may apply individually or as a team.
What should the PechaKucha cover?
Applicants can choose to produce a PechaKucha on one of the following topics:
1) “My County” – The PechaKucha should demonstrate the value of their county. It could be framed as a “Day in the Life of a County Employee/Resident,” speak to a particular county-provided service or share something unique about the county.
2) “Mental Health and High School Students” – The PechaKucha should lend insight into why high school can be a difficult time of life and how mental health issues are present among this group. It should speak to how adults can make it easier for students to talk with them about their experiences and reach out for help.
Applicants are encouraged to incorporate personal experiences and creative elements in their PechaKucha.
What’s the benefit of participating?
NCACC will select three finalists to present their work at the NCACC 2017 Annual Conference, which will be held in August 10-12, 2017, in Durham County. All finalists will receive a $500 academic award for their work (team submissions will share the $500 award). North Carolina county commissioners will vote at the conference to select the winner, who will receive an additional $500 award.
The PechaKucha entries will also inform two NCACC priorities related to raising awareness of county government among residents, and mental health and substance abuse issues. The winning entries will be promoted on the NCACC website, via social media and other channels.
What are the official rules?
Students must submit an application online at www.ncacc.org/PechaKuchaEntry and upload their file by May 1, 2017. The PechaKucha must fit the format of 20 images, displayed for 20 seconds each, and voice narration to tell the story. Individuals and teams can apply. The NCACC Civics Challenge is open only to North Carolina high school students. Only one entry per student will be accepted.
Who should I contact with questions?
For more information on the NCACC Civics Challenge, please contact Dominique Walker, NCACC Civics Challenge Program Coordinator, at Dominique.Walker@ncacc.org, or Lacy Pate, NCACC Public Relations Manager, at (919) 715-2297 or Lacy.Pate@ncacc.org.