The #SpotTheTruthChallenge invites K–8 students to create quick, creative videos that show how they separate truth from misinformation online. The contest begins in February, but librarians and teachers can join the teacher network now to receive early reminders, contest details, and immediate access to a Bonus Lesson video plus printable Critical Thinking coloring pages. Sign up today and start helping your students build the skills they’ll need to become smart, safe digital citizens.
Spot The Truth Challenge – sign up
What you’ll find on this page…
WHAT IS SPOT THE TRUTH CHALLENGE?
4 WAYS TO – SPOT THE TRUTH – FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS (GRADES K-3)
10 WAYS TO – SPOT THE TRUTH – FOR OLDER STUDENTS (GRADES 4-8)
WHAT ARE THE – SPOT THE TRUTH CHALLENG – RULES?
HOW DO I SUBMIT
WHAT CAN MY CLASS WIN?
SPOT THE TRUTH CHALLENGE – SUGGESTIONS – FOR YOUNGER KIDS (K-3)
SPOT THE TRUTH CHALLENGE – SUGGESTIONS – FOR OLDER KIDS (4-8)
ADVANCED VIDEO CHALLENGE SUGGESTIONS FOR THOUGHTFUL KIDS
WHAT IS THE – SPOT THE TRUTH – CHALLENGE?
An amazing video contest for your students (K-8). You might win a pizza party OR even a live Steve Trash Show at your school.
#SpotTheTruthChallenge – Official Contest Rules
Overview: The #SpotTheTruthChallenge is a fun and educational video contest that invites kids (grades K–8) to create short videos showing how they can spot the difference between truth and misinformation online. Videos can be submitted by students, teachers, or parents. Let’s help kids become digital media masters!
Who Can Enter:
Alabama students in grades K–8
Alabama Teachers, media specialists, PE teachers, ELA teachers, or parents may submit videos on behalf of students or classes
Entrants must use the hashtag #SpotTheTruthChallenge and tag @mediamastersrock on Instagram OR on TikTok
How to Enter:
Create a short video (30–60 seconds) showing a truth vs. lie scenario.
Each video must begin with a kid or kids saying, “Can you spot the truth?”
Each video must end with a kid or kids saying, “Think first before you like, comment or share.”
Post it to Instagram using #SpotTheTruthChallenge
Tag @mediamastersrock in the caption.
Make sure the account is public during the contest period.
Contest Dates:
Launch: [Insert Launch Date]
Deadline to enter: [Insert Deadline Date]
Winners announced: [Insert Announcement Date]
Prizes Include: Grand Prize: A LIVE Magic Show at your Alabama school — featuring PBS TV Star Steve Trash!
Weekly Winners: Enjoy a classroom or family pizza party on us!
Judging Criteria:
Accuracy: Did the video correctly identify truth or misinformation?
Creativity: Is the idea clever, original, or funny?
Clarity: Is the message clear and easy to understand?
Fine Print: By entering, participants grant permission for Media Masters Rock to share the videos on its website and social media channels for educational purposes. No purchase necessary. This contest is not affiliated with Instagram, or Meta.
4 WAYS TO – SPOT THE TRUTH – FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS (GRADES K-3)
One – Use Your Brain, Not Just Your Eyes – Just because it looks real doesn’t mean it is real. Pictures and videos can be edited, shown out-of-context, or AI-made. Always ask questions and be skeptical of things online.
Two – Check the Source Ask: Who said it? Is it a trusted website, teacher, or an expert who studies this for a living — or just someone online?
Three – Look for Proof – Real facts usually come with evidence: pictures, videos, or links that can be verified.
Four – Watch for Feelings Tricks – If a post makes you angry, scared, or shocked, pause! Big emotions can hide false information.
10 WAYS TO – SPOT THE TRUTH – FOR OLDER STUDENTS (GRADES 4-8)
One – Check the Source – Ask: Who said it? Is it a trusted website, teacher, or an expert who studies this for a living — or just someone online?
Two – Look for Proof – Real facts usually come with evidence: pictures, videos, or links that can be verified.
Three – Double-Check It – Search the same topic on another site to see if others say the same thing.
Four – Watch for Feelings Tricks – If a post makes you angry, scared, or shocked, pause! Big emotions can hide false information.
Five – Ask an Adult You Trust – A teacher, librarian, or parent can help you check if something is real or not.
Six – Check the Date – Sometimes old stories or videos are reposted to look new. Always check when it was made. The situation may have changed.
Seven – See Who Benefits – Ask: Who gets the candy? (In other words, who gains money, fame, or followers from this post?)
Eight – Spot the Silly Stuff – If a story sounds too weird, too perfect, or too amazing to be real, it probably isn’t.
Nine – Read the Whole Thing – Don’t just believe the headline. Read (or watch) the whole post before deciding if it’s true.
Ten – Use Your Brain, Not Just Your Eyes – Just because it looks real doesn’t mean it is real. Pictures and videos can be edited, shown out of context, or AI-made.
If you really want to know whether something is true or false, you have to check multiple reliable sources.
Truth isn’t about finding one source that agrees with you — it’s about seeing where the weight of credible evidence points. Ten reputable sources that align will always outweigh one source that simply confirms your opinion.
WHAT IS THE – SPOT THE TRUTH – CHALLENGE?
Spot the Truth Challenge Video Contest – possible themes
How to Enter:
SPOT THE TRUTH CHALLENGE – SUGGESTIONS – FOR YOUNGER KIDS (K-3)
Pets
True: “Dogs can learn to follow commands like ‘sit’ and ‘stay.'”
False: “My cat does my homework for me every night!”
Nature
True: “Bees help plants grow by pollinating flowers.”
False: “There’s a tree in my backyard that grows chocolate bars.”
School Life
True: “Our school library has over 5,000 books!”
False: “Our principal is actually a superhero who flies to work.”
Space
True: “Astronauts have to exercise in space to stay healthy.”
False: “There’s a secret planet made of candy in our solar system.”
Animals
True: “Sea turtles can live to be over 100 years old.”
False: “Elephants can talk like humans if you teach them.”
Sports
True: “The longest basketball shot ever made was over 100 feet!”
False: “If you spin a basketball fast enough, it can fly.”
Weather
True: “Rainbows happen when sunlight passes through raindrops.”
False: “If it rains too much, fish fall from the sky.”
SPOT THE TRUTH CHALLENGE – SUGGESTIONS – FOR OLDER KIDS (4-8)
Technology
True: “3D printers can make things like toys, tools, and even houses.”
False: “If you press a secret code on your keyboard, your computer turns into a robot.”
History
True: “Abraham Lincoln was over 6 feet tall, making him one of the tallest U.S. presidents.”
False: “George Washington had a pet dinosaur he kept at Mount Vernon.”
Science
True: “Sharks have been on Earth for over 400 million years.”
False: “Scientists have discovered a jellyfish that glows in the dark because it eats stars.”
Food
True: “Honey is the only food that never spoils.”
False: “If you mix blue candy with soda, you can make a potion that lets you fly.”
Inventions
True: “The microwave was invented by accident when a scientist noticed a chocolate bar melting in his pocket.”
False: “If you spin a paperclip fast enough, it turns into a magnet.”
Myths and Legends
True: “The Loch Ness Monster is a famous legend from Scotland.”
False: “The Loch Ness Monster was caught last year and lives in a zoo now.”
Transportation
True: “Electric cars are becoming more common because they’re better for the environment.”
False: “Trains can travel underwater without any special tunnels.”
Advanced Themes for Thoughtful Kids
Current Events
True: “The James Webb Space Telescope recently sent back pictures of distant galaxies.”
False: “Scientists found proof that time travel is real last month.”
Health
True: “Drinking water helps your brain work better and keeps you healthy.”
False: “If you eat too many carrots, you’ll turn orange forever.”
Fun Facts
True: “Octopuses have three hearts and blue blood.”
False: “If you tickle an octopus, it will laugh out loud.”
Music
True: “The Beatles are one of the best-selling bands in history.”
False: “If you play music loud enough, plants in your house will start dancing.”
Movies and TV
True: “Animation for movies like ‘Frozen’ can take several years to complete.”
False: “If you pause a movie at the right time, you can see secret messages left by aliens.”
Holiday and Seasonal Themes
Winter
True: “In some parts of the world, people build ice hotels that you can sleep in.”
False: “If you eat enough snow, you’ll grow antlers like a reindeer.”
Spring
True: “Baby animals like lambs and chicks are often born in the spring.”
False: “If you plant candy in the ground, it will grow into a candy tree by spring.”
Summer
True: “The longest day of the year happens in the summer because of the Earth’s tilt.”
False: “If it’s hot enough, you can fry an egg just by putting it on the sidewalk.”
Fall
True: “Leaves change color in the fall because the trees stop making chlorophyll.”
False: “If you catch a falling leaf, it will turn into gold.”
Miscellaneous Themes
Magic Tricks
True: “Some magicians use mirrors to make objects disappear in their tricks.”
False: “Real magic is taught in secret schools hidden underground.”
Travel
True: “Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world.”
False: “If you dig a deep enough hole, you can pop out on the other side of the world.”
Books and Reading
True: “The largest library in the world is the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.”
False: “There’s a book that writes new pages every time you open it.”
Mysteries
True: “The Bermuda Triangle is a real place where ships and planes have mysteriously disappeared.”
False: “If you sail into the Bermuda Triangle, you’ll turn into a mermaid.”
#
