NPR Names 2026 Student Podcast Challenge Finalists

NPR said its education team spent the summer listening to every entry. The finalists will be sent to a panel of judges, and grand prize winners will be announced in the coming weeks. Those winning podcasts are scheduled to air on Morning Edition, All Things Considered and other NPR programs. Winners and honorable mentions in the fourth grade category will be announced at a later date, NPR said.

This year's challenge included a special prompt tied to the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding, asking students to explore what it means to be an American. NPR said it also received many podcasts about technology in school, including AI, cell phone bans and concerns about screen time. Memory was another major theme: why some memories stay, how people process memory loss and how to keep a memory alive. Students also continued to learn from elders, producing stories on family histories, intergenerational advice and difficult conversations about grief.

NPR listed the middle and high school finalists in alphabetical order. The middle school finalists named by NPR include 'Andy Warhol Was a Woman Named Patricia' by Ike Anolik, a student at Saint Ann's School in Brooklyn, N.Y., sponsored by David Khoury. The podcast grew from a walk in a park and features an interview with writer Pat Hackett about her time working for Andy Warhol. Its NPR member stations are WNYC, WFUV, WBGO and WNYE.

'Civics in Our Schools' was made by fifth graders Izabella Anthony, Benjamin Baigel, Bridget Castellon, Rile DeLeon, Maxwell Gibbs, Daniel Hernandez, Malcolm Johnson, Sylpa Kafle, Mason King, Kyle Li, Maximus Lin, Emmerson Quinn, Ariella Schoenfeld, Owenize Udevbulu and Dara Widzowski at Hewlett Elementary School in Hewlett, N.Y., with teacher Jaime Harrington. For America's 250th birthday, they asked each other, 'What do you really know about our country?' In their podcast, they talk to classmates and teachers about the importance of civics and learn from an expert how they can help get people engaged. The member stations are WNYC, WFUV, WBGO, WNYE and WSHU.

'Dear Kate' by Kate Baker, a student at Excelsior Middle School in Marion, Iowa, sponsored by Morgan Jeffery, pays homage to her Grandpa Ted. Kate grew up writing letters to her grandfather between visits, when they played games and he told her stories of his life. In the podcast, she seeks to understand dementia, the disease that took him from her. The member stations are IPR and WVIK.

'Dyslexia and MEE' by Cora Walsh, a student at South Side Middle School in Rockville Centre, N.Y., sponsored by Emily Johnson, explores her dyslexia diagnosis. Cora says reading has always been hard, but she tells listeners that people with dyslexia can be amazing in many ways. She talks with her mother and tutor about the diagnosis and examines what it is like to be an adult with dyslexia. The member stations are WNYC, WFUV, WBGO, WNYE and WSHU.

'I.C.E. Out' by Anthony Perez, a student at High Tech Middle Media Arts in San Diego, Calif., sponsored by Linda Ov, grew out of increased I.C.E. activity in 2026. The middle schoolers wondered why the agency was created, researched its history and conducted interviews. The NPR member station is KPBS.

'Leaving Greece' by Livie Courser, a student at Wickliffe Progressive Elementary School in Upper Arlington, Ohio, sponsored by Shelly Hughes, features an interview with her grandfather, who emigrated from Greece to the United States. Livie grew up hearing his stories; he told her it was very difficult for him and his family and that he had many chores after school. The member stations are WOSU and WCBE.

NPR thanked the thousands of students, teachers, parents and sponsors who participated and congratulated the finalists and honorable mentions. NPR said honorable mentions are available separately.