What Big Election Issues Matter Most To You?

KQED’s News Education project recently asked middle and high school students to consider some of the major political issues at play in the 2016 presidential election, and to then make and submit short videos expressing their unique perspectives.

Hundreds of students from around the Bay Area and farther afield participated in what we called the“Backyard Campaign” project. Additionally, we produced an original video about one student who shared a particularly compelling immigration story.

The project was also recently featured on KQED's Newsroom TV show (see above).

To see the full gallery of student video submissions, select from the issues below.

Schools represented included: Pleasanton Middle School, Oakland Tech, June Jordan School School for Equity (SF), Lathrop High School, Pascack Hills High School (NJ), the Bay Area Technology High School (Oakland), Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep (SF), Minarets Charter High School (O'Neals, CA), and the Healdsburg School.

Of the nine political issues students were asked to consider, gun control was by far the most popular, followed by immigration and abortion.

This project is part of a recently launched national civic engagement initiative called Letters to the Next President 2.0. Hosted by KQED and National Writing Project, it’s an effort to promote and showcase youth perspectives on election-related issues. Visit the project site to learn more and get involved.