Create, Connect, Compete

The Create, Connect, Compete program from The Connected Classroom offers educators a way to transform learning through authentic, student-driven challenges that span digital media, written expression, and engineering design. By participating in our Global Media Competition, Pen and Prose Contest, or Global Design Challenge, your students engage in meaningful creation experiences that develop critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and communication skills while connecting with peers worldwide. Each challenge provides a structured yet flexible opportunity for students to apply their knowledge through project-based learning, leveraging technology not just as a consumption tool but as a powerful medium for creation and innovation.

When your students participate in Create, Connect, Compete, they’re not just completing assignments; they’re creating with purpose, sharing their ideas with real audiences, and developing skills that extend far beyond the classroom. By participating, you're giving your students the opportunity to develop future-ready skills in a supportive environment that celebrates diverse perspectives and approaches. Whether your students excel in visual and audio communication, written expression, or hands-on engineering, these challenges provide the perfect platform for them to showcase their talents, receive meaningful feedback, and experience the transformative power of creating work that matters beyond the classroom walls.

Create, Connect, Compete

  • At The Connected Classroom, we believe every student has a unique perspective and the power to communicate ideas that can inspire change. We’re inviting you to bring your classroom into the Global Media Competition, where students from around the world can share their creativity, ideas, and stories with a global audience.

    This competition is more than just about creating content. It’s about providing students with the opportunity to recognize diverse perspectives, engage in meaningful dialogue, and communicate their ideas in impactful ways. Whether through podcasts or videos, students will develop vital skills in critical thinking, creative expression, and global communication, all while sharing their ideas with an authentic audience.

    Why get involved?

    • Empower students to express their ideas and share their stories with a global community.

    • Foster a deeper understanding of different perspectives by engaging students in meaningful exchanges with peers from other cultures.

    • Encourage learning through storytelling, helping students sharpen their communication skills and broaden their understanding of the world around them.

    By participating, you’re helping your students build the skills to lead in a connected world; skills that will shape their future as communicators, creators, and global citizens.

  • Where Innovation Meets Real-World Problem Solving

    At The Connected Classroom, we believe students are natural innovators capable of designing solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. Our Global Design Challenge invites students to harness the power of engineering, design thinking, and hands-on creation to develop tangible solutions that address authentic problems.

    This challenge transforms traditional STEM education into an active, collaborative experience where students don't just learn concepts—they apply them through prototyping, testing, and iterative improvement. Participants will move through the complete design process: identifying needs, researching constraints, brainstorming solutions, building functional prototypes, and communicating their innovations to a global audience.

    Why Engage in This Transformative Design Experience?

    Human-Centered Problem Solving: Students identify real-world challenges in their communities or globally, developing empathy and understanding before creating solutions that make a meaningful difference.

    Engineering Process in Action: Guide students through authentic engineering practices as they apply scientific principles, mathematical thinking, and technological tools to design functional prototypes.

    Makerspace Mastery: Leverage the full potential of your makerspace or STEM lab as students bring their ideas to life using digital fabrication tools, electronics, coding, and various materials.

    Collaborative Innovation: Connect with young designers worldwide, exposing students to diverse approaches to problem-solving that expand their thinking and inspire creative solutions.

    By participating, you're creating a Connected Classroom where STEM becomes a hands-on, student-centered experience. Your students will develop as innovators who can think critically about complex problems, create boldly with technology and materials, and design solutions that have real-world impact.

  • Where Written Expression Meets Digital Innovation

    At The Connected Classroom, we believe powerful writing skills remain essential in our technology-driven world. Our Pen and Prose Contest invites students to blend traditional writing craft with digital creativity, transforming how written expression connects with today's audiences.

    This contest reimagines writing as an active, immersive experience where students don't just compose text, but additionally they design, create, and innovate with words. Participants will develop compelling narratives, arguments, poetry, or informational pieces enhanced through thoughtful digital presentation, creating multi-dimensional writing that resonates in our connected world.

    Why Join This Transformative Writing Experience?

    • Dynamic Written Expression: Students apply critical thinking and creativity to craft powerful written works to connect deeply with authentic audiences.

    • Design Thinking for Writers: Guide students through understanding reader needs, developing original ideas, and crafting impactful writing presented through innovative digital formats.

    • Technology-Enhanced Storytelling: Leverage technology tools and digital platforms to amplify student writing while maintaining the integrity of their unique voice and perspective.

    • Global Writing Community: Connect with young writers worldwide, exposing students to diverse writing styles and perspectives that enrich their understanding of effective communication.

    By participating, you're creating a Connected Classroom where writing becomes a hands-on, student-centered experience. Your students will develop as communicators who can think critically about audience, create boldly with words, and solve real-world communication challenges.