Deadline Approaching in the 2023 Water Spots Video Contest
The Water Spots video contest is designed to spread the word about water conservation through the talents of high school and middle school-aged film makers in the Sacramento region. Sponsored by the Regional Water Authority (RWA) and local water providers, each year the contest challenges students with a real-life project: Create a 30-second public service video that educates and motivates the public to use water efficiently and stop water waste according to a select theme.
The 2023 Water Spots theme is: DO YOUR PART TO BE WATER SMART
The deadline to receive entries is Friday, March 10, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
Prizes for Students
$50 Amazon Gift Card for the Top Scoring Video at Each School
The top scoring video from each school will win a $50 Amazon gift card (minimum eligibility is five valid entries per school; Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice winners not eligible).
Cash Prizes for Winning Videos
If your video receives the most online votes (People’s Choice) or receives top scores from our panel of community leaders (Judge’s Choice), you will receive a cash prize:
- People’s Choice winner(s) (determined by online voting)—$250
- Judge’s Choice First place winner(s)—$250
- Judge’s Choice Second place winner(s)–$150
- Judge’s Choice Third place winner(s)—$100
Grand Prize
If your video is selected as a Judge’s Choice or People’s Choice winner, it will be eligible to win the Grand Prize: One video will be selected to premiere on the big screen and run for a month at local movie theaters during summer 2023.
Prizes for Teachers
$100 Amazon Gift Cards for Sponsoring the Most Students
The three teachers that submit the most valid videos will each receive a $100 Amazon gift card (minimum eligibility is 10 valid videos per teacher). In addition, teachers receive prize money for sponsoring winning videos.
Cash Prizes for Sponsoring Winning Videos
- People’s choice winner—$250
- First place winner—$250
- Second place winner—$150
- Third place winner—$100
The deadline to receive entries is Friday, March 10, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
Download the Information Packet
Full Packet (all documents)
Must-Read Materials for Students
- Overall Theme: DO YOUR PART TO BE WATER SMART
- Contest Timeline and Student Prizes
- Basic Rules Summary
- Video Disqualification Information
Required Form
Additional Helpful Materials
- Prizes for Sponsoring Teachers
- 2023 Official Rules
- Additional Resources for Learning About Water
- Submitting Videos FAQs
- Participating Water Providers
- Promotional Flyer
Any questions? Contact Chris at WaterSpotsContest@gmail.com or (916) 416-7367.
Sacramento-Area Resources
- “Living Rivers” Student Supplement: This 20-page digital supplement explains the importance of rivers to us and our region. Rivers provide habitat for many plants and animals. People depend on rivers as a source of food, drinking water, transportation, hydroelectric power and irrigation for agricultural fields.
- Virtual lessons from your local water provider: Many local water providers are offering virtual classroom visits to explore where local water supplies come from, how water gets to your tap, and ways to use water wisely. Contact your local water provider for details.
California- and U.S.-Focused Materials
- “Water Wednesdays” online water education program from the California Department of Water Resources: Held each Wednesday at 1 p.m. on DWR’s YouTube channel. These family-friendly programs are designed for kids 10-14 but are appropriate for anyone who would like to learn more about California’s water resources. This week’s program is about “California’s Super Salmon—The End of a Journey Brings Life Anew.”
- Water education materials from the California Department of Water Resources: Includes a wide variety of workbooks and worksheets—from independent work activities like coloring sheets for younger children, to workbooks for tweens to simple hands-on science experiments.
- Homeschool activities from the Water Education Foundation: Includes videos, resources and presentations for pre-K through college.
- Project WET Foundation, Discover Water: Games, videos, and more that help kids discover the role that water plays in their lives.
- Water Science School from the U.S. Geological Survey: Information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can test your water knowledge.
For more information or questions, please contact Chris Perry or Christine Kohn, Water Spots Outreach Coordinators, at WaterSpotsContest@gmail.com or (916) 416-7367.
Sponsored by the Regional Water Authority (RWA) and local water providers, the Water Spots Video Contest challenges students with a real-life project: Create a 30-second public service video that educates and motivates the public to use water efficiently and stop water waste. Videos from past winners are available on the Be Water Smart YouTube channel.
