Northern Michigan University's WNMU-FM (Marquette) is inviting students from the region in grades 5-8 and 9-12 to enter National Public Radio's Student Podcast Challenge to compete for a chance to have their work featured on NPR. The contest is open now and closes April 28.

An added thematic award this year will honor the best podcast dealing with mental health. Teacher involvement is required.

"We've said it before: all it takes is a smartphone, a laptop computer and a good idea," stated a WNMU-FM press release. "We want to hear the ideas, issues and discussions that are bubbling up within our youth. Record the stories that will make us laugh or cry, and everything in between. We'll put the winners and some of the best entries on NPR shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered, and on podcasts such as Code Switch."

Students should create a podcast 3-8 minutes long about any topic they want to explore. Past entries have addressed wide-ranging subjects including tater tots, homework, life during the pandemic and investigations about hometown mysteries. Some have featured dramatic readings of fictional stories.

The official rules can be found here. NPR also offers a host of training materials, guides for sound recording/audio production and use of music, tips on what makes a good podcast and other resources here.