TeamworkPresentationTeam Event

Public Service Announcement

Teams of 2 to 6 produce an original 30-second PSA video on this year's brain health topic, air it to a real audience, then show it to judges and explain their creative process in five minutes.

About this event

Public Service Announcement is a team event (2 to 6 members) for the Secondary and Postsecondary/Collegiate divisions, sponsored by Hilarity for Charity. The 2026-27 topic is Maintain My Brain: Practicing the Pillars of Brain Health; the PSA has to say why brain health matters, show at least four of the pillars of brain health and nudge viewers toward simple healthy habits, and humor and hope are welcome. The video is at most 30 seconds including title and credits, must be original and filmed and edited by the team (actors may be anyone), must be aired to a real audience, and must follow copyright rules. Every member completes the HFC Universe Brain Health 101 and 201 courses. Round One is pre-judged from a public video link plus one PDF containing APA references, the Copyright Form, the Air Date Form with a signature and audience estimate, and all course certificates, uploaded by May 15; it is scored out of 115 points on technical quality (exposure, audio, editing, camera work) and content (effectiveness, impact, creativity, imagery, writing). Every team that uploads advances to Round Two: the team plays the PSA on its own battery-powered device, then has five minutes to describe its creative process, how the PSA reached the public, the public's response and its understanding of the topic, with all members speaking. The presentation is worth 85 points for a 200-point total, and ties are broken by the highest-value rubric sections.

What judges score

Round One, A. PSA Overview: Length (5), Air Date Form (5), Copyright Form (5), Reference Page (5), Brain Health Certificates for all team members (5)Round One, B. PSA Technical Quality: Exposure / Focus / Color (10), Audio (10), Editing (10), Camera Technique / Composition (10)Round One, C. PSA Content: Effectiveness (10), Impact (10), Creativity and Originality (10), PSA leaves judges wanting to know more (10), Realistic visual imagery provided (5), Writing (5); subtotal 115Round Two, A. Presentation Content: Began presentation with PSA video (5), Creative process (15), Public use of the PSA (15), Public Response (15), Understanding of the subject / theme and purpose of the PSA (15)Round Two, B. Presentation Delivery: Voice (5), Stage Presence (5), Diction, Pronunciation and Grammar (5), Team Participation (5); subtotal 85, total 200

What judges score

2026-27 topic: Maintain My Brain: Practicing the Pillars of Brain Health (Alzheimer's prevention)PSA video: length, air date form, copyright form, references, certificates, technical quality, contentPresentation: creative process, public use of the PSA, public response, understanding of the subject

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