America’s best student podcasts: must-listen shows revealed

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• About the 2026 NPR Student Podcast Challenge and how entries were chosen
• Common themes that emerged in 2026 entries — what students are thinking about
• Middle school finalists: compelling voices, fresh perspectives
  • Andy Warhol Was a Woman Named Patricia
  • Civics in Our Schools
  • Dear Kate
  • Dyslexia and MEE
  • I.C.E. Out
  • Leaving Greece
  • More Than Just a Differability
  • Ms. Sessa-Fuul Circle
  • The Careers Kids Consider
  • The Device Debate
• High school finalists: deeper investigations and personal essays
  • A Small Town’s Meteoric Significance
  • Artificially Intelligent
  • La Vida Llena
  • Music on the Mind
  • Refusing the Sideline
  • The Government Exodus: Why Federal Workers Resign
  • The Person I Am Becoming
  • The Sounds of Our Home
  • What Happens to Memories?
  • Why Collect?
• How teachers, parents and communities supported these student reporters

Young reporters across the country turned questions into polished audio stories this year. From curious fifth graders to reflective high school juniors, their podcasts probe identity, memory, technology and family. NPR’s education team reviewed thousands of entries and named finalists who stood out for storytelling, reporting and imagination.

About the 2026 NPR Student Podcast Challenge and how entries were chosen

The annual challenge returned for its eighth year. It drew nearly 1,500 podcast submissions from students in 42 states plus Washington, D.C. Each entry was evaluated for reporting, structure and originality.

Finalists are sorted into two grade ranges: middle school (grades 5–8) and high school (grades 9–12). Judges will pick grand prize winners soon. Those winning programs will be featured on NPR shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered.

Common themes that emerged in 2026 entries — what students are thinking about

Several narrative threads ran through the submissions. Students tackled big cultural questions and personal stories with surprising depth.

• American identity: In honor of the nation's 250th anniversary, many students explored what it means to be American.
• Technology in schools: AI, phone policies and screen time sparked conversations about learning and ethics.
• Memory and loss: Creators examined how memories form, fade and shape family histories.
• Intergenerational learning: Students often interviewed elders to harvest stories and advice.

Middle school finalists: compelling voices, fresh perspectives

Below are the middle school finalists, listed alphabetically by project title. Each entry includes the student creator(s), sponsor and an editorial snapshot.

• Andy Warhol Was a Woman Named Patricia

  Student: Ike Anolik. Sponsor: David Khoury, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, N.Y. NPR stations: WNYC, WFUV, WBGO, WNYE.

  Ike turns a chance encounter into a curiosity-driven piece. He interviews writer Pat Hackett about her time with Andy Warhol and uncovers surprising anecdotes.

• Civics in Our Schools

  Students: A group of fifth graders from Hewlett Elementary School in Hewlett, N.Y. Sponsor: Jaime Harrington. NPR stations: WNYC, WFUV, WBGO, WNYE, WSHU.

  For the country’s 250th birthday, these students ask peers and teachers what civics should look like in school. They also speak with an expert on civic engagement.

• Dear Kate

  Student: Kate Baker. Sponsor: Morgan Jeffery, Excelsior Middle School, Marion, Iowa. NPR stations: IPR, WVIK.

  Kate crafts an intimate tribute to her grandfather. Through letters and memories, she confronts how dementia reshaped their relationship.

• Dyslexia and MEE

  Student: Cora Walsh. Sponsor: Emily Johnson, South Side Middle School, Rockville Centre, N.Y. NPR stations: WNYC, WFUV, WBGO, WNYE, WSHU.

  Cora examines dyslexia from lived experience. She talks with family and a tutor to highlight strengths and challenges tied to the diagnosis.

• I.C.E. Out

  Student: Anthony Perez. Sponsor: Linda Ov, High Tech Middle Media Arts, San Diego, Calif. NPR station: KPBS.

  Prompted by 2026 news coverage, Anthony traces the history and role of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He combines research with interviews.

• Leaving Greece

  Student: Livie Courser. Sponsor: Shelly Hughes, Wickliffe Progressive Elementary, Upper Arlington, Ohio. NPR stations: WOSU, WCBE.

  Livie records her grandfather’s migration story from Crete to America. The piece foregrounds family memory and the immigrant experience.

• More Than Just a Differability

  Student: Lucas DeVries. Sponsor: Laura Frisbie, Minnetonka Middle School West, Chanhassen, Minn. NPR station: MPR.

  Lucas reframes Down syndrome as a unique ability. He centers his brother’s personality and everyday life to challenge assumptions.

• Ms. Sessa-Fuul Circle

  Students: Selah Walkup, Emily Jane Gravitt, Millie Lorence, Addison Jones, Izabella Zapeda. Sponsor: Greg Walkup, Otwell Middle School, Cumming, Ga. NPR stations: WABE, GPB, WCLK.

  Five students explore a beloved teacher’s influence. They interview former pupils to understand why she left a lasting impression.

• The Careers Kids Consider

  Students: Zoey Nolan, Abigail Stettler. Sponsor: Catherine Rinko-Gay, Barrington Elementary, Upper Arlington, Ohio. NPR stations: WOSU, WCBE.

  Zoey and Abigail survey classmates about future careers and speak with professionals about the realities of their jobs.

• The Device Debate

  Student: Eleanor Deutsch. Sponsor: Jessica Deutsch, Troy Intermediate School, Avon Lake, Ohio. NPR station: Ideastream.

  Eleanor examines the rise of classroom technology. She gathers views from students, parents and administrators and suggests alternatives.

High school finalists: deeper investigations and personal essays

High school entrants tackled complex issues with research and empathy. Here are the finalists in alphabetical order by title.

• A Small Town’s Meteoric Significance

  Students: Addy Dooley, Mallory Stone, Carson Becker, Aidan Bell, Anna Crall. Sponsor: Jade Sewell, Illini Bluffs High School, Glasford, Ill. NPR stations: WCBU, WILL, WUIS, WGLT.

  A school community investigates a strange odor and a fainting spell. Their reporting leads to a surprising discovery about ancient geology and local storage facilities.

• Artificially Intelligent

  Student: Miles Jackman. Sponsor: Su Hudson, Public Academy for Performing Arts, Albuquerque, N.M. NPR stations: KUNM, KANW.

  Miles explores how AI tools are changing student writing. He questions how technology reshapes creativity and academic integrity.

• La Vida Llena

  Student: Ulysses McKittrick. Sponsor: David Khoury, Saint Ann’s School, Brooklyn, N.Y. NPR stations: WNYC, WFUV, WBGO, WNYE.

  As he drafts college essays, Ulysses seeks wisdom from an elderly interview subject. The dialogue reflects on identity and life experience.

• Music on the Mind

  Student: Haarrathi Kanna. Sponsor: Molly Earle, Edgemont Jr./Sr. High School, Greenville, N.Y. NPR stations: WNYC, WFUV, WBGO, WNYE, Connecticut Public, WSHU.

  Haarrathi looks at music therapy and the brain. She interviews neurologists and volunteers to document music’s impact on learning differences.

• Refusing the Sideline

  Student: Charles Post. Sponsor: Pamela Ng, Los Altos High School, Los Altos, Calif. NPR stations: KQED, KALW.

  Charles profiles his junior varsity coach, who has dealt with serious health issues. The piece centers resilience and coaching’s emotional reach.

• The Government Exodus: Why Federal Workers Resign

  Student: Anna Su. Sponsor: Kyle Wannen, Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, Md. NPR station: WAMU.

  Anna investigates the wave of federal resignations. Through interviews with former employees, she seeks to explain a national workplace trend.

• The Person I Am Becoming

  Student: Allen Mondragon. Sponsor: Joel Ruvalcaba, J. Sterling Morton High School East, Cicero, Ill. NPR stations: WBEZ, WILL.

  After his father’s death, Allen explores legacy and growth. He asks friends and family what made his dad memorable and how that shapes him now.

• The Sounds of Our Home

  Student: Jacob Zheng. Sponsor: Jeff Oleksinski, Skyline High School, Ann Arbor, Mich. NPR stations: Michigan Public, WEMU, WDET, WKAR.

  Jacob composes an audio portrait of home life. He captures FaceTime rings, family debates and nightly gaming sessions to illustrate belonging.

• What Happens to Memories?

  Student: Amit Biligiri. Sponsor: Pejing Lee, Evergreen Valley High School, San Jose, Calif. NPR stations: KQED, KALW, KAZU.

  Amit examines memory gaps and their causes. He mixes personal reflection with scientific reporting to ask why some moments disappear.

• Why Collect?

  Student: Jay Burnett. Sponsor: Shane Burnett, Lakeside School, Seattle, Wash. NPR stations: KUOW, KNKX, NWPB.

  Jay dives into the psychology of collecting. He interviews peers and seasoned collectors to understand motivation and obsession.

How teachers, parents and communities supported these student reporters

Educators and sponsors played a central role. They helped students with interviewing, editing and publishing. Many projects required permission, equipment and mentorship.

Teachers, parents and public radio stations amplified student work and connected young journalists with professional platforms.