​Stormwater Contest Rules and Recommendations

All Videos to be submitted electronically by April 29th, 2026 using entry form.

All Posters to be picked up at the Colchester Schools or the Burnham Library by April 29th, 2026.

  • Each student or team of students (K-12) (home, private, public school) can submit
    a poster or video.
  • Work must be original.
  • Work must not violate U.S. copyright laws.
  • Artists to submit video using entry form.
  • Artwork is to be submitted electronically.
  • Only artwork from eligible students will be accepted and is eligible to win prizes.
  • Artwork cannot contain any of the following:
    • Images or language deemed offensive and/or inappropriate for viewing by all
      ages as determined by the panel of contest judges;
    • Advertisements or promotions for a business or product;
    • Any breach of intellectual property;
    • No Trademarks or brand logos;
    • Nothing harmful to a third party;
    • Cannot depict the storm drain as a mouth. (This has been found to encourage
      dumping of trash into storm drains.)

If you use music in video, please make sure it is open domain (or we will have to reject the video). Learn how to use “attribution not required” open domain
music!)

Videos: No longer than 1-2 minutes in length
Posters: (minimum size 8.5 x 11)

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WINNING RESULTS:

  •  Your video or poster is a way to teach others about the actions they can take to protect water.
  • Show your message, don’t just say it.
  • Use your creativity to grab viewers’ attention, if a video, try to keep them watching to the end and leave them with an “aha” moment.
  • Consider using action, comedy and/or emotion to help get your point across.
  • Stay positive – lean into hope, curiosity and solutions.
  • Select a call to action and give your video a cool movie name.

Remember: Be a positive force, be safe, and create posters and videos that spread joy and love for CLEAN water!

Video Do’s

1. Be the Bright Star: Film your own amazing video—no stock footage or photos!
2. Groove with  YouTube’s Audio Library:  Use cool music or create your own sounds. Your school district may have audio files you could use, such as Sound FX. No copyrighted music, please!
3. Clean your Lens: Wipe your lens, and hold your phone steady, ideally using both hands.
4. Quality is Joy: Record and edit in high quality – 24 to 30 frames per second, use 60 fps if you plan to slow down the video. Render your edited video to the highest quality as well. Under your YouTube profile, go to settings and select the highest upload quality. We want your video to shine!
5. Use a FREE Video editor: If usinga free video editor, select one that does not have a watermark and will export to YouTube quality (minimum resolution of 720p). Your school may have video editing software, ask your digital arts teachers about it. They may also have recommendations or you can search YouTube for advice on best free mobile phone editors for IOS or Android.
6. Languages of Happiness: Create your video English or another language. Add English subtitles if your video is in another language. If your video is already in English you’re
welcome to add subtitles in other languages too. Let’s embrace diverse cultural perspectives.
7. Fun Elements Welcome: Add humor, like educational parody, action, or drama inspired by your favorite films.
Be safe, share accurate info, and spread the joy!

Video Dont’s

The following activities will disqualify your videos, so don’t do it…if you want to be eligible for the sweet prizes!

Don’t use copyrighted footage, photos or music! It will disqualify your video! Check with your teachers about resources from your school. Note: there are many sources claiming to have royalty/copyright-free music. DO NOT use them as the music copyrights can change later and
disqualify your video.
2. Don’t share misinformation. Information in videos must be factually accurate. Do your homework and make sure you are sharing accurate messages!
3. Don’t do anything dangerous. Make sure people, animals and our environment are kept safe as you create your video. If you are demonstrating an unwanted behavior, make sure it doesn’t have the unwanted
impact.

TIPS ON MAKING A VIDEO FROM A SIMILAR
CONTEST: USE TIPS 2-7!
(start at second 50)

And some software:
o Blender
o Pixelorama

https://www.oramainteractive.com/blog/pixelorama-0.11.3-is-out/