The 2023-2024 World of 8 Billion student video contest is now closed. Winners will be announced on May 21, 2024!

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2015-2016 Winners

2015-2016 Winners

The World of 8 Billion contest is a project of the Population Education program, provider of K-12 classroom resources and professional development opportunities. The contest is run every school year. Click on a topic below to view the winning videos.

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Thank you to all the teachers and students who participated in the 2015-2016 World of 7 Billion student video contest. We were blown away by the creativity, passion, and expertise showcased throughout the videos, especially by the 18 winning films.

The contest first ran during the 2010-2011 school year as a “teachable moment” around world population reaching 7 billion. 619 videos were received from 36 U.S. states and four countries abroad in that first year and it was meant to be a one-time event. But we received such positive feedback from teachers – many wanted to participate again and make the contest a permanent project in their courses – that we decided to run the contest a second time during the 2012-2013 school year.

Now in its 5th year, nearly 5,000 student-made videos on the impacts of population have been created as a direct result of the contest. Thousands of students are now more aware of the vast connections between population and so many of today’s pressing global challenges.

We look forward to continuing the contest into the future and watching as more students explore the complexities of population growth through film.

View 2015-2016 Infographic

Contest Judges

Mary Barbara Alexander

Actress, Farmer, Activist, former board member of Population Connection

Denise R. Ames

Founder and President, Center for Global Awareness

Ellen Barnard

Executive Producer, Tomorrow Pictures Inc.

Ginny Beauregard

Film Producer/Environmental Educator, Independent

Caroline Bednarz

AP Human Geography Teacher, McKinley Technology High School, DC

Liam Billingham

Filmmaker, liambillingham.com, BRICArtsMedia

Joseph Bish

Director of Issue Advocacy, Population Media Center

Dr. Kate Brauman

Lead Scientist, Global Water Initiative, Institute on the Environment, Universitiy of Minnesota

Kate Campbell

Reproductive Health Fellow, Population Services International

Hartwell Carson

French Broad Riverkeeper, MountainTrue

Terri Clark

Community Resource Manager, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Diana Cole

Science Teacher, Population Education Trainer, Capital Area School for the Arts Charter School, Harrisburg PA

Dr. Ken Conca

Professor, School of International Service, American University

Sean Connor

Director, Community Relations, Saylor Foundation

Chris Day

Head of Corporate Communications, United Talent Agency

Sahan T. M. Dissanayake

Assistant Professor of Economics, Colby College

Dr. Paula Ehrlich

President & CEO, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation

Pri Ekanayake

Former Population Education Fellow

Eva El-Khatib

Science Department Chair, McLean School

Jim Foster

President, Anacostia Watershed Society

Dr. James Gerber

Co-director, Lead Scientist, Global Landscapes Initiative, University of Minnesota

Allie Goldstein

Senior Associate, Forest Trends

Dr. April Haight

Director, Center for Environmental Education, Morehead State University

Joan Hourican

Elementary School Teacher and Education Consultant, Lake Clarke Shores, FL

Cyndi Hubach

Writer/Producer, Sustainability Consultant,

Forest Isbell

Associate Director, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, University of Minnesota

Joyce Johnson

Producer, Tiroir A Films Productions

Elizabeth Joseph

Garden and Education Coordinator, Heifer International

Kelly Korenak

Teacher and Curriculum Developer

Sharon Kinsey

Camden County 4-H Agent/Associate Professor, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Dr. Joan Kwako

Professor, University of Minnesota Duluth

Carrianne McClellan

Media Coordinator & Region 6 Director, Cumberland County Schools & NCAE Student Services Division

Nancy Milizia

Retired MT (ASCP) , APICS, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics

Laura Schlesinger Minor

Adjunct Faculty, University of Connecticut Master of Public Health Program

Alice P. Neuhauser

Partner, Complete Rights Management

Celeste Newcomb

Instructor, The Penn State University, Health Policy and Administration Department

Hannah O’Malley

Education Coordinator, The Walt Disney Company

Brian Richter

Chief Scientist, Global Water Program, The Nature Conservancy

Karen Roos

Environmental Educator, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation

Dr. DawnElla M. Rust

Health Science Professor, Stephen F. Austin State University

Grace Saunders

Biology and Environmental Science Teacher, Saint James School

John Seager

President and CEO, Population Connection

Jeremy Scherer

Owner and Filmmaker, Parallel 40 Productions

Sonya Stejskal

President, Nebraska State Council for Social Studies

Dr. Janet Vail

Research Scientist and Environmental Educator, Grand Valley State University

Paul West

Co-Director & Lead Scientist, Institute on the Environment (IonE) University of Minnesota

Rebecca Bratter Woldeab

Executive Director, The U.S. Dry Bean Council
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