Schools: Win $5,000 in UnitedHealthCare’s Student Video Competition

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

GoLocalProv Health Team

UnitedHealthcare has announced a contest with more than $5,000 in cash prizes for Rhode Island schools whose students produce winning 30-second videos that raise awareness about childhood obesity and diabetes.

There's more: in addition to the cash prizes, select finalist videos will be shown during a New England Revolution home game this fall.

The goal: education about childhood obesity, diabetes

The video should be 30 seconds or less, with a theme of fighting childhood obesity and/or diabetes by living a healthy life. The video content or theme must be developed by the students with limited involvement from teachers. Winners will be chosen among three categories – elementary school (grades K to 5), middle school (grades 6 to 8) and high school (grades 9 to 12). The winning school in each category will receive $1,000, each runner up will receive $500 and each honorable mention $250.

Guidelines

Middle school and high school students must include in their video at least one Rhode Island health statistic from America's Health Rankings. Students of all ages can also research information about childhood obesity and diabetes at the following Web sites:
    •    www.letsmove.gov
    •    www.diabetes.org
    •    www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood
    •    kidshealth.org/kid
    •    kidshealth.org/teen

Each school is allowed to submit one entry per grade level: elementary school, middle school and high school. For example, a K-8 school can submit one entry for the elementary school (K-5) category and another for the middle school category (6-8). Videos will be judged based on:

    •    Use of the theme (40 percent)
    •    Creativity (20 percent)
    •    Following the rules and guidelines (15 percent)
    •    Educational Value (15 percent)
    •    Entertainment Value (10 percent)

Engaging RI youth, empowering schools

“The video contest reflects UnitedHealthcare’s commitment to working with the local community to bring healthy activities and programs to Rhode Island," said Stephen Farrell, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual of New England. "Our goal is not only to raise awareness, but also encourage our children to take positive action to become healthier."

“We are so excited to be involved in engaging young people in this video project," said Karen Leslie, president and CEO, YMCA of Greater Providence, a partner in the project. "We look forward to viewing their videos and learning how they envision addressing the critical issues of diabetes and obesity." Leslie said that the Y is deeply committed to helping Rhode Islanders improve their quality of life and health through innovative programs such as this contest. "We applaud companies like UnitedHealthcare that support so many of the activities that we proudly bring to the community,” she said.

How to submit

Rhode Island school teachers or administrators can submit videos online at the UnitedHealthcare Grow Healthy Rhode Island Video Contest Web site between September 6 and midnight October 3. Teachers or school administrators are reminded to include the appropriate release forms that are available on www.uhctogether.com/RIcontest. The winners will be announced October 19th at the UnitedHealthcare Grow Healthy Rhode Island event at the Kent County YMCA.

For complete contest rules, release forms, sample videos and more information about the UnitedHealthcare Grow Healthy Rhode Island Video Contest, go here.