STN Quick Start for Teachers

Bookmark this page so you can quickly find everything you need for the year!

1. Membership & Account

• STN Dashboard – Your all-access hub to manage your profile, register for contests, upload entries, track payments, and more.

  • Make sure to keep your profile and contact information up-to-date.

  • Verify your shipping address is correct in case we need to mail you something.

2. Contest Essentials

• Contest Schedule – See every STN deadline at a glance!

• Contest Descriptions – Explore all categories for each contest.

  • 60 Second HorrorFest

  • The STN Challenge

  • Broadcast Excellence

  • Film Excellence

  • STN Nationals

  • National Honor Society

• Judging Rubrics – Review the official scoring guides for all contests.

• Upload Portal – Submit your entries directly through your Dashboard. Simply click “Upload” next to each contest registration to send in your work.

• Contest Handbook – Brand new this year! Review for rules, new file size specs, and everything you need before you compete.

3. Event Information

• STN National Convention – Be part of the nation’s largest gathering of student broadcasters and filmmakers, February 28–March 3, in Tampa.

• Summer Adviser Workshops – A summer of collaboration, creativity, and professional growth for STN teachers.

4. Teacher Resources

• Getting Started with Contests in Your Classroom – Tips for integrating contests into your program

• Lesson Plan Exchange & STN Curriculum – Teacher-submitted and STN-created lessons

• Equipment Gear Checklist – Recommendations to get you students started and level up!

5. Communication & Community

• Join the STN Teacher GroupMe – Connect with other advisers

  • General Questions – A space for all STN teachers to ask general questions, share quick tips, and connect with fellow advisers across the country.

  • Curriculum Ideas – Share and discover lesson plans, unit ideas, classroom tools, gear recommendations, and creative ways to teach media.

  • Contest Q&A – For questions and conversations about STN contests—rules, rubrics, technical submissions, deadlines, and more.

  • Mentorship – A supportive group for new teachers and mentor advisers to ask questions, share advice, and build confidence throughout the year.

  • Convention Planning – Dedicated to all things STN Convention! Bring your questions, packing tips, student prep ideas, and travel advice.

  • East Region – For teachers in Eastern states to collaborate, ask questions, and connect on a more regional level. East states include FL, GA, SC, NC, AL, TN, PA, VA, MD, DE, NJ, NY, CT, MA, RI, NH, VT, ME, DC, KY, and WV.

  • Central Region – For teachers in Central states to collaborate, ask questions, and connect on a more regional level. Central states include TX, OK, AR, LA, MO, KS, NE, IA, MS, MN, WI, IL, ND, SD, MI, IN, OH, CO, and NM.

  • West Region – For teachers in Western states to collaborate, ask questions, and connect on a more regional level. West states include CA, OR, WA, NV, AZ, UT, AK, HI, ID, MT, WY, and International schools.

• Have your students follow us on Instagram for real-time updates on contents and more!

6. Help & Support

• STN AI Help Desk – Ask general questions about contests, events, and more!

• Contact STN Staff – Need further help? Click the name to email a staff member about a specific topic.