2024 SEE “Beat Plastic Pollution” Video Contest
| The Competition is now closed and the winners were announced on June 5th. Please scroll below to see the winners. | |
| Issue Date: | March 08, 2024 |
| Submission Deadline: | April 22, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. EST |
| Prizes: | Three awards of $250 each.
Teacher/Advisor associated with the entry will win a $100 gift card |
| Email: | wecanseeinc@gmail.com |
Plastic pollution is a serious environmental issue that has plagued the globe, endangering all types of habitats and contributing to climate change in various ways. Plastic items that are used and manufactured often end up in ecosystems—from oceans to your own backyard—and harm the life present within them. The amount of plastic in the ocean could triple by the year 2025, according to a new report from Britain. One leading cause is the overuse and improper disposal of single-use plastic items, such as bags, bottles, and packaging. These often end up as litter or in landfills, where they can be carried by wind or water to the sea. Unlike other materials, plastic does not biodegrade. It can take up to 1,000 years to break down. Thus, when plastic is discarded, it builds up in the environment until it reaches a crisis point.
WeCanSEE calls upon students to raise awareness of this issue and make individual choices that make a difference such as shifting behavior to avoid single-use plastic products whenever possible. If plastic products are unavoidable, they should be reused or repurposed until they can no longer be used – at which point they should be recycled or disposed of properly. We stress the importance of doing our part to help save the environment: bring bags to the grocery store, purchase locally sourced and seasonal food options that require less plastic packaging and transport, and more to show your commitment to taking care of our planet.
WeCanSEE is hosting the "Beat Plastic Pollution" Video Contest with cash prizes for winners. This is a wonderful chance for students to get creative, share their insights on how to beat plastic pollution, and possibly win a prize. Please scroll down to see the contest details.
Students are invited to enter the 2024 SEE “Beat Plastic Pollution” Video Contest. In alignment with 2024 Earth Day theme, “Planet Vs. Plastics”, we are launching this contest to showcase efforts made by middle and high schoolers to reduce plastic pollution and give them the opportunity to win prizes for protecting our planet! Entrants will compete for a cash prize and raise awareness about plastic pollution. Middle and high school students can enter the contest by submitting an original video that is 3 – 5 minutes long. This video should focus on one aspect of reducing plastic pollution. Winning videos will help viewers understand the Earth Day 2024 theme, “Planet vs Plastic” by focusing on related topics such as the health risks of plastic-overuse, phasing out all single-use plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, having a goal of building a plastic-free future for generations to come.
Entry Period:
The 2024 SEE “Beat Plastic Pollution” Video Contest entry period opens March 8, 2024, and closes April 22, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Eligibility:
The Contest is open to middle and high school students in New Jersey at the time of entry. No purchase of any sort is necessary, and there is no entry fee. Each submission must be the primary work of one individual (the “Entrant”).
Submission:
- Post your video on YouTube with the hashtag #BeatPlasticPolution2024SEE
- Complete the Entry form.
- All contest winners will also be asked for an MP4 file of their video.
Prizes:
Each winning entry will receive $250; the teacher/advisor associated with the entry will win a $100 gift card. A winner will be selected in each of the following categories:
- Most Informative
- Most Innovative
- Most Impactful
Selection of Winner(s):
The winner of the Most Informative category will be chosen by a panel of judges (experts and peers) based upon how accurate, relevant, and educational the video entry is.
The winner of the Most Innovative category will be chosen by a panel of judges (experts and peers) based upon how original, creative, and forward-thinking the video entry is.
The winner of the Most Impactful category will be chosen by a panel of judges (experts and peers) based upon how effective the video entry is in promoting long-term solutions to plastic pollution and overuse.
AGREEMENT TO RULES
Each Entrant must comply with all the terms and conditions of the official rules (the “Rules”) contained herein. By participating in the Contest, each Entrant fully and unconditionally agrees to be bound by and accepts the terms and conditions of these Rules and the decisions of the WeCanSEE and its Judges (including, without limitation, the selection of finalists and winners, and the awarding of prizes), which are final and binding in all respects.
- You represent and warrant that you meet the requirements and qualifications for this Contest, and that you have read these Rules and are fully familiar with them.
- You represent and warrant that you will be liable for any failure to comply with these Rules.
- If you are under 18, you represent that you have your parent or guardian’s permission to enter the Contest.
- The Decision by the contest Judges will be final.
- All the submitted contents and uploaded files are the property of WeCanSEE and WeCanSEE has full rights to reproduce and use it for educational and promotional purposes.
- Once the entry forms are submitted, it is assumed that you agree to these terms and conditions.
GUIDELINES
- Runtime: Video submissions must be 3-5 min long, including any credits.
- Message: Video should focus on one aspect of removing plastic pollution. This video must help viewers understand the Earth Day 2024 theme, “Planet vs Plastic”, focusing on the health risks of plastic-overuse, phasing out all single-use plastics, and a goal of building a plastic-free future for generations to come.
- Style: Submissions can be in any style or genre, including animation, drama, comedy, musical, or documentary.
- Exclusivity: Submissions must be posted online during the dates of the contest and must not be entered in, or associated with, any other contest or campaign. Previously posted submissions from publicized contests will be disqualified.
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Terms of Service: Entrants must comply with the terms of service — including any community guidelines and copyright policies — for the platform that hosts your video:
- YouTube Terms of Service
If your video is removed from the host platform for violation of its terms of service, you will be disqualified from the contest.
- Music: Use of music in the video is optional. To avoid violating copyright law, entrants are strongly encouraged to use either an original song; music available in the chosen platform; or royalty-free licensed music (e.g., music purchased — or downloaded for free — from a stock music website), etc.
- Permission: Contestants are responsible for securing all necessary rights, licenses, clearances, releases, consents and/or permissions from any other people who appear in the video entry.
- Originality: You represent and warrant that your entry is original and in full compliance with the terms of service of the platform hosting the video (i.e., YouTube).
- Ownership: You retain ownership of your video. However, by entering the Contest, you grant to the WeCanSEE a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, and transferable license to use that video (including to reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works, display and perform it) in connection with the Contest and WeCanSEE (and its successors and Affiliates’) business, including for the purpose of promoting the Contest.
APPROPRIATENESS
Video Submissions must NOT:
- Promote any product or brand.
- Violate the terms of service of the host platform.
- Identify other individuals by name, without written permission.
- Contain any of the following: profanity; content depicting or promoting sexual activity; content depicting or promoting illegal activity; content that depicts or promotes violence or harm; or any other offensive, obscene, or inappropriate content, which will be determined by the WeCanSEE and the Contest Judges.
INDEMNITY
- To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the WeCanSEE, its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising from: (i) your participation in the Contest; (ii) your violation of any term of this Agreement; (iii) your violation of any third party right, including without limitation any copyright, property, or privacy right; or (iv) any claim that your video caused damage to a third party. This defense and indemnification obligation will survive this Agreement and the Contest.
Permissions
- By submitting an entry, you grant to the WeCanSEE and its affiliated companies the right, except where prohibited by law, to use your name, likeness, picture, voice, biographical information, submission/entry and written or oral statements, for advertising and promotional purposes in promoting or publicizing the Contest, the WeCanSEE and its mission and services, without compensation unless required by law. You shall have no right of approval, no claim to compensation, and no claim (including, without limitation, claims based on invasion of privacy, defamation, rights of integrity or attribution, or right of publicity) arising out of any use, alteration, or use in composite form of your name, picture, likeness, address (city and state only), biographical information, or entry.
RIGHTS
- The rights granted herein shall extend to the WeCanSEE and its affiliated companies and agents with respect to all entrants in the Contest, including the entrant who is selected as the grand prize winner and those entrants who are not selected. The WeCanSEE is under no obligation to use the winning entries or any other entry for any purpose.
Winners of 2024 “Beat Plastic Pollution” Video Contest
MOST IMPACTFUL
Radha Singh,
Carteret High School, Grade 12
Radha is a first-generation student from a minority Asian background, embodying the values of perseverance and resilience. Growing up in a family that prioritized education and hard work, she has developed a strong commitment to academic and personal excellence. Passionate about environmental sustainability, she is dedicated to fostering a safer and cleaner world for future generations. With a unique perspective shaped by cultural diversity and a deep-seated work ethic, Radha strives to make a meaningful impact on the planet and the community.
MOST INNOVATIVE
Abdel Hamid,
Rising Star Academy, Grade 11
A young African American with a passion for content creation and video editing. With a keen eye for detail and creativity, he aims to engage and inspire audiences across various platforms. Currently, he is focused on honing his skills and expanding his portfolio to establish a successful business in the digital media landscape. He envisions creating impactful content that resonates with diverse communities. As he continues his entrepreneurial journey, he is excited to explore new opportunities and collaborations in the evolving world of media.
MOST INFORMATIVE
Shorouk Gamil,
Rising Star Academy, Grade 8
Shorouk strives to see a future environment without plastic and has a passion for science of all kinds. In the future she plans to pursue writing or medicine and to help the environment during her highschool years. Always knowing that littering was wrong while seeing it as a child, she's always been motivated to show how much plastic we could get rid of in the future through different ways. She loves to write, read books, and travel with family to her home countries; Egypt and Algeria.
Teacher/Advisor Award
Brian Voliva
Environmental Science Teacher at Carteret High School, NJ
Brian Volvia is a dedicated AP Environmental Science teacher at Carteret High School, driven by a passion to empower students to understand their impact on the planet. He believes that even small changes can make a significant difference and strives to inspire his students to become responsible stewards of the Earth. Outside of the classroom, Brian cherishes time with his loving family, supporting his two children in their extracurricular pursuits and exploring the natural world with his wife. He finds solace in the serenity of the ocean, often watching the sunrise over the waves, and delights in observing wildlife in their natural habitats. Through his teaching and personal life, Brian embodies his commitment to environmental awareness and community, inspiring others to join him in making a positive impact on the world.
Teacher/Advisor Award
Samia Butt
Science/Biology teacher at Rising Star Academy, NJ
