Got 30 seconds to change Texas? Here’s how middle and high schoolers can win scholarships and camera gear.
Think you can make people care about the environment in just half a minute? Texas wants to see what you’ve got—and they’re paying students to prove it.
The Take Care of Texas Video Contest opens September 8th, and it’s your shot to turn your video skills into cold, hard cash (well, scholarships and gift cards, but you get the idea).
What You Need to Know
Who: Texas students in grades 6-12
When: Contest opens September 8, 2025 | Deadline December 5, 2025
What: Create a 30-second PSA-style video
Why: Win scholarships (high school) or camera gear gift cards (middle school)
The Challenge
Your mission: Create a 30-second video showing positive ways Texans can keep our air clean, keep our water clean, conserve water, save energy, or reduce waste. Think of it as your chance to be that friend who actually gets people to change their habits—except you reach way more people than just your group chat.
Contest Rules (The Must-Knows)
Here’s what the judges are looking for:
The Basics
- Video must be exactly 30 seconds long
- Must focus on positive environmental actions for Texas
- Open to grades 6-12 enrolled in Texas schools
The Required Stuff
- Must include the slogan “Take Care of Texas. It’s the only one we’ve got.” OR the official Take Care of Texas logo
- All facts and data must come from TakeCareOfTexas.org only
- Videos without the slogan or logo will be disqualified
Video Tips That Actually Matter
Content Strategy
Focus on one of these topics:
- Keeping air clean
- Keeping water clean
- Conserving water
- Saving energy
- Reducing waste
Pro tip: Pick the one you’re most passionate about. Authenticity shows up on camera.
Technical Requirements
- Download the high-resolution Take Care of Texas logo from their official site
- Keep it at exactly 30 seconds (not 29, not 31)
- Make sure your audio is crystal clear—people will tune out if they can’t hear you
Making It Memorable
- Start with a hook that grabs attention in the first 3 seconds
- Show, don’t just tell (people doing the action beats people talking about it)
- End with a clear call to action
- Keep it positive—inspire, don’t lecture
What You Could Win
There are six big winners total—three middle school champions and three high school champions. High schoolers win scholarships, middle schoolers get camera gear gift cards. First prize winners get recognized at the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Banquet in June.
Translation: This could look amazing on college applications AND pay for college.
Sure, winning is cool. But here’s the real deal: The contest is sponsored by Waste Management of Texas Inc., meaning your video could influence real environmental policy and programs across the state.
Your 30 seconds could be the thing that gets your neighbors to finally start composting or your school to install those water bottle filling stations.
Ready to Start?
Mark your calendar: contest opens September 8th, closes December 5th. That gives you almost three months to brainstorm, film, and perfect your entry.
Start thinking now about what environmental issue fires you up the most. Then grab your phone, rally your friends, and show Texas what the next generation can do.
Because honestly, if anyone’s going to save our state’s environment, it might as well be you—and you might as well get paid for it.
