LessonMyImpact Challenge: Identifying Your Problem
Start students thinking! Explore the purpose of the project and get them started on their own project by identifying a challenge in their community they wish to address.
To submit a project, students must describe an idea they've envisioned and brought to life, centered around civic engagement. Each project must have three components:
- A written essay to connect your project to our founding principles and virtues.
- A project report that highlights your inspiration, your project execution, and your impact.
- And a video or series of photos highlighting your projects impact on the community.
To enter, student projects must have taken place between May 18, 2025 and May 3, 2026. Multi-year projects started before May 3, 2025 are eligible for entry if their activity continues after May 3, 2026. Projects that are ongoing as of May 17, 2026 are eligible for entry. Projects completed before May 18, 2025 are not eligible for entry.
Past winners of the MyImpact Challenge Grand Prize, First Prize, Second Prize, or Third Prize are not eligible to enter.
Submission is open to US citizens and US-based young people who are between the ages of 13 and 19 and enrolled in middle or high school on January 1, 2026.
Submission must be received by 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Only submissions entered through MyImpact Challenge’s online portal will be accepted for the contest.
The contest is designed for one student per entry, but groups of up to five students may submit as a single group entry. Prizes awarded to group entries will be split evenly between entrants.
Contact our team for specialized support and resources to help guide your students during the contest year.
Why Should Students Participate in MyImpact Challenge?
To gain national recognition for their civic achievements!
Through this contest, students will:
- Boost college applications and resumes.
- Learn how their community service and civic engagements project carry out the vision of the Founders and align to constitutional principles.
- Share how projects they have designed and executed are evidence of community impact and change.
- Be recognized in the community.
- Connect with other young changemakers.
How Can I Teach MyImpact Challenge?
We've developed six lessons to help students create meaningful MyImpact Projects. Help your student learn how they can create governmental, charitable and social enterprise solutions to problems or opportunities they see around them.
Lesson
