You do not have to register first to begin working on your project.

• Junior level: Grades K to 3
• Senior level: Grades 4 to 8

1. Artwork
2. Essay/Paper
3. Video/Poster

No. One submission per student.

Please visit the Panacea Challenge page and follow the directions to register.

Any drawing, painting, digital imagery, photograph, sculpture etc. can be included in the ARTWORK category. But the content has to be relevant to the COVID-19 topics given in the general rules section.

Yes, the Junior challenge includes kids from grades K through 3.

Yes, however the submission can only be in the name of the oldest child and due credit has to be given to all the team members.

Guidelines for judging criteria:

• Art Design: Design is inventive and grabs viewers’ attention.
• Craftsmanship: Strong artistic ability and creative effort.
• Originality: Experimentation with tools and materials to enhance concepts. Less reliance on templates or readymade materials.
• Theme and Word Count: Adheres to theme and word count requirements.
• Quality of Presentation: Brief essay substantiates concept of artwork with relevant details.
• Interpretation of Topic: Concept is related to theme. Concept is excellently interpreted in artwork and well communicated in brief essay.
• Spelling and Grammar: No misspellings or grammatical errors in brief essay.
• Sentence Structure and Message: Well-constructed sentences. Clearly conveyed message.

Judges decision wlll be final

Yes, provided you mention it in the supporting essay submitted along with the ART project.

There are two levels for the Panacea Challenge

• Junior level: Grades K-3
• Senior level: Grades 4-8

Guidelines for judging criteria:

• Spelling, Grammar, and Sentence Structure: No misspellings or grammatical errors. Well-constructed sentences.
• Vocabulary: Skillful word choice.
• Organization: Well-sequenced essay with smooth transitions. (If math analysis, looks at organization of mathematical approaches.)
• Scope: Evidence of breadth and depth of chosen topic. Includes proper citations.
• Quality of Presentation: Effectively presents and analyzes information.
• Delivery and Voice: Reflects commitment to topic and engages the reader.
• Out of the Box Thinking/ Novelty of Ideas: Displays creative thinking and displays a grasp of the bigger picture relating to topic.
• Theme and Word Count: Adheres to theme and word count requirements.

Judges decision wlll be final

Yes, the submission has to be under the older contestant and due credit will be given to all the participants.

Please send all your questions to panaceachallenge@northsouth.org

No, essays NOT written on the mentioned topics will be disqualified.

For juniors (K-3 grades), your video must be a maximum of 3 minutes in length.

For seniors (4-8 grades), your video must be a maximum of 4 minutes in length.

Your video must be in .mp4 or .mov format.

Topic Examples:

• A film highlighting public health measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
• Public Service Announcement - convince your audience why they should practice social distancing!
• Act out a story about a public health topic of your choice (ie. infectious disease, food safety, homelessness, safe drinking water, vaccines, etc.)
• Convert any of the essay topic examples into a creative video!
• A scientific poster, explained in detail

You can collaborate with friends and family. But most of the video content must be original and you must be the main author of the content.

Yes. You can get technical assistance from friends and family as long as you write the script and direct the shoot. Be sure to mention their names in your credits.

Yes. If you are using commercial music, make sure the music doesn’t violate or potentially violate any copyrights. Original music creations are encouraged.

The goal of the panacea challenge is for kids to be creative and have an original narrative. If you choose to use existing footage of scientists talking about your topic, please ensure that the footage doesn’t violate or potentially violate any copyrights.

Yes, you can work with a group as long as the submission is under the team leader’s registration. You can brainstorm ideas, direct your friends/family as actors in your video. Make sure you give credit to all who helped you.

No. The rules allow only one video per participant.

No. Only one video can be submitted.

Video file name should be: FirstName LastName GradeLevel of the student who has registered.

You are only allowed one submission. That will be your final submission.

The deadline for the Challenge is as outlined on the General Info page and no extension can be given: https://northsouth.org/public/panaceachallenge.

Guidelines for judging criteria:

• Production Quality: High quality video and audio. Well edited.
• Creative Video Elements: Creative use of music, visuals, captions, props, and/or costumes.
• Vocabulary, Grammar, and Sentence Structure: No spoken grammatical errors. Well-constructed sentences with skillful word choice.
• Organization: Follows a smooth and logical flow.
• Quality of Presentation: Effectively presents and analyzes information.
• Delivery and Voice: Reflects commitment to topic and engages the reader.
• Out of the Box Thinking/ Novelty of Ideas: Displays creative thinking and displays a grasp of the bigger picture relating to topic.
• Theme and Video Video Length: Adheres to theme and video length requirements.

Judges decision is final.