2022 Stronger Than Hate Challenge Launched, Inspires Students to Activism and Creative Expression

USC Shoah Foundation and Discovery Education today launched the fourth annual Stronger Than Hate Challenge offering students the opportunity to win $10,000 in prizes.

The challenge encourages students aged 13-18 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada to work individually or in groups of 2-4 on multimedia projects that demonstrate the power of story to create a community that is stronger than hate.

Projects can be self-guided or teacher led and provide students with a platform to address key issues in their communities such as identity, diversity, and inclusion.

Projects must be submitted by May 26, 2022. Full rules and submission details are available here. 

The Stronger Than Hate Challenge builds upon the USC Shoah Foundation and Discovery Education’s no-cost and standards-aligned Teaching with Testimony initiative, which inspires middle and high school students to create a better future by learning from the powerful testimony of survivors and witnesses of genocide.

“Student voices have the power to change the world. The Stronger Than Hate Challenge empowers students to raise their voices through the power of storytelling to not only counter hate, but promote empathy, understanding, and respect as well,” said Lesly Culp, USC Shoah Foundation’s Interim Director of Education. “We are eager to see the submissions this year and thank Discovery Education for their continued partnership. Together, we are building a more just and equitable society through education.” 

Lori McFarling, President of Social Impact at Discovery Education, said that the Stronger Than Hate Challenge exemplifies the power of connecting students to social and emotional learning as a tool to improve the world.

“Since 2018, we’ve had the honor to collaborate with USC Shoah Foundation on this important initiative,” McFarling said. “Social and emotional wellness is critical for growth and confidence, and we are committed to empowering students with the resources they need to combat hate and build resilient empathy.” 

Previous Stronger Than Hate Challenge finalists and winners submitted projects on a range of relevant and impactful topics that addressed hate in their communities. The 2021 winner, Madhalasa I. from Plano Senior High School of the Plano Independent School District in Texas, created a multimedia poem emphasizing the importance of standing up for what is right to stop history from repeating itself. View all the previous winners here. 

Learn more about the Challenge and the partnership at TeachingwithTestimony.com/challenge and within the Teaching Tolerance channel on Discovery Education's K-12 learning platform. 

For more information about Discovery Education’s digital resources and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn.