The moment you've been waiting for: America's best student podcasts
The NPR Student Podcast Challenge 2026 has selected 20 finalists from across the U.S. These students explored topics like American identity, memory, and technology through their podcasts. The winners will be announced soon and will be featured on NPR programs.
NPR selected 10 middle school and 10 high school podcasts as finalists from nearly 1,500 submissions. The students covered a range of topics including history, personal stories, and societal issues.
The challenge highlights young people's perspectives on important national themes and shows how students engage with complex ideas through creative storytelling. It also encourages media literacy and expression among youth.
The story showcases the voices of students and their ability to explore meaningful topics, offering a positive and hopeful look at the next generation's creativity and insight.
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