Practical Resources for Classroom Podcasts

For the last 4 years, I have shared information about the NPR Student Podcast Challenge - a competition hosted by NPR that invites students in grades 4-12 to create their own podcasts on literally any subject.

This year's contest doesn't open until January (although the college one is open now!), but I wanted to share about it a little early this year to give teachers some time to think about ways they could incorporate podcasting into their classes over the next few months.

The great thing about podcasts is how technically easy they are to produce. You don't necessarily need fancy microphones or a soundproof room or expensive software (although these things certainly help the quality). All you need is a single device with a built-in microphone and some sort of built-in audio recording feature. If you want to increase the quality significantly without breaking the bank, the next step up would be to use a simple USB microphone and free online recording software such as Google Vids or Canva.

Although it may be easy to record your podcast, it does still take time to create one. The most important thing to remember when producing a podcast is that you should not script it out entirely! The reason podcasts are so popular is because listening to them sounds like simply sitting in on a real conversation. So if we aren't scripting it...what are we doing? Planning it! Outlining it! Talking about it with others!

To help you out, I have a few resources that can help get you on the right track:

• Podcast Planning Worksheet

• Podcast Planning SchoolAI Space - Launch this in conjunction with the worksheet!

• Podcast Rubrics

Obviously all of these can be adapted as necessary depending on what you want your students to podcast about. Which leads to the next question...what topics should students podcast about? It's no secret that I am a supporter of using AI in education, and this is a PERFECT use. Here are the results when I ask AI to give me a list of ideas for podcast topics for high school subject areas:

Math

• The Hidden Math in Everyday Life (from shopping to sports stats)

• Math Mysteries: The Unsolved Problems Still Baffling Experts

• How Math Changed the World: Stories of Great Mathematicians

Science

• Mind-Blowing Science Myths—Busted!

• Emerging Technologies: How Science is Shaping Our Future

• The Science Behind Natural Disasters

Social Studies

• Forgotten Voices: Stories from Unsung Historical Figures

• How Borders Shape Identity and Conflict

• Civic Skills: How the Government Works

English

• Book Club

• The Art of Storytelling: From Shakespeare to Spoken Word

• Language and Power: How Rhetoric, Slang, and Media Shape Our Culture

Art

• Street Art: From Vandalism to Gallery Walls

• Why Do We Create? Exploring the Human Drive to Make Art

• Art Heists Through History

Music

• The Evolution of Popular Music Genres

• Music and the Brain: How Sound Affects Mood and Memory

• Unsung Heroes: The Work of Songwriters and Producers

Health

• Debunking Health Fads: What’s Fact vs. Fiction?

• Teen Mental Health: Navigating Stress and Social Media

• Nutrition Myths: What Should Teens Really Eat?

Physical Education

• Movement & Motivation: How to Build Healthy Habits

• How Sports Build Character (and What Happens Off the Field)

• Inclusive Games: Adapting Activities So Everyone Can Participate

Family & Consumer Science

• Life Skills 101

• The Real Cost of Living: Budgeting for Teens

• From Farm to Table: Where Does Our Food Come From?

Technology Education

• The Rise of Robotics in Everyday Life

• The Art and Science of Welding

• Shop Safety Stories: Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Computer Science

• Ethics and AI

• The World of Coding: Careers and Creativity

• Cybersecurity: Protecting Yourself in the Digital Age

Business

• Teen Entrepreneurs: Stories of Young Business Success

• The Basics of Investing and Saving for the Future

• Branding Battles: Why Some Logos Stick

Special Education

• Breaking Barriers: Stories of Inclusion in Schools

• Assistive Technology: Tools That Transform Learning

• Understanding Learning Differences

School Counseling

• The Power of Peer Support: Student Stories

• Navigating College and Career Choices

• Coping with Change: Building Resilience in High School

General Topics

• Curiosity Corner: Random Questions Worth Exploring

• Nostalgia Rewind: Revisiting Pop Culture from the Past

• Real Talk: Student Life

• Hot Takes on Trending Topics

• Interviews with People in Our Community

Obviously these are pretty generalized within each content area, but if you are in a specific unit and want to know how you can tie in podcasting - just ask your nearest AI chatbot for some ideas. And if your students produce high quality work, be sure to check back on the NPR Student Podcast Challenge in January to submit them!