STEM video tips

Helpful tips to create a great video

• Pick the technology game changer you are most excited about. It is much easier to come up with a good idea for your video if you are truly passionate about the message.
• Read the Background Reading associated with your selection. It is important to have a solid understanding of the technology, of skills needed to support that technology and about issues getting students interested in STEM.
• The target students will most likely be in a classroom or conference setting. Think about what questions the students might have after viewing your video. Can you answer them in the video?
• Often parents and teachers won’t have any experience with these technology trends so assume even the adults viewing your video might not understand the technology trend.
• STEM professionals are normal people.  Don’t reinforce images of  STEM professionals as nerdy and boring.
• Focus on students understanding math and science and taking as many classes as they can. Students have to understand math and science but only as a means to having a STEM career and making a difference in the world. Math and science don’t have to be their best or favorite subjects.
• Do your research. The best videos use strong facts/statistics as supporting evidence from a variety of sources. Take a look at our Research Page for a few ideas of where to search for further information.
• Develop an interesting story. Winning videos will clearly show how a STEM career will support the future and be fun and innovative. How can you connect this technology trend with something that kids interact with every day, especially fun stuff? How can you make STEM less scary?
• Select wording that can make a STEM career something someone in elementary school would like to do: create, discovery, design, imagination, innovation, contribution, creative problem solvers, essential to health, happiness and safety, shape the future.
• If you choose to use statistics, make them relevant by putting them in context. For example, stating that “the rate of engineers needed is higher today than at any other time in history” is not as impactful as “an estimated 100,000 new engineers will be needed each year.”
• During your research you’ll come across a lot of interesting information but you must decipher what is most important to supporting your story.
• Follow the writing process – brainstorm, plan, draft (storyboard, script), revise, edit, and produce a final product.
• Be clear and concise in your video – 3 minutes goes by quickly.
• If your video includes people talking, be sure they speak slowly and clearly so that viewers can understand. Make sure to enunciate your words. Have other people screen your video before you submit your entry to ensure your message can be heard and understood.
• If your video includes people talking or in still pictures, try to include a variety of actors, including women and black or Hispanic influences. These audiences are traditionally underrepresented in STEM careers.
• Be creative. You can use video, animation, skits, pictures, voice over, music, flip-books – the sky is the limit! Get your friends involved and collaborate to make an even better project.
• Establish a tone for your video. If you want to be funny, use witty, clever puns to get your point across, but do not distract viewers from your overall message. Choose appropriate music to help guide your audience into the right mood.
• Try to keep positive, you are presenting a need that is a national challenge. Too much negativity can turn your audience off to the real message, and you want them to feel empowered.
• Make sure you follow all of the Rules and Guidelines, including length, content, and copyright rules. List all of the sources you used in the end credits.
• Have fun! This is a great opportunity to learn more about pressing global challenges regarding world population, and it should be a fun project for you and your friends.