Listen here! Our list of the best podcasts by fourth graders

What do the Montauk Lighthouse, a school mural, a trampoline accident, a forced migration and the Quartering Act of 1765 have in common? These are the topics of the winning podcasts submitted by fourth-graders to NPR's Student Podcast Challenge.

For the past six years, our contest has brought the voices of students in fifth through twelfth grade to the air. And every year we've gotten emails from teachers asking, “What about fourth graders?” We decided to give it a try this year, but honestly we weren't sure if podcasting would be too hard for 9 and 10 year olds. But we were wrong!

NPR received submissions from students across the country. Fourth-graders explained poltergeists, gave insight into octopuses, explored the origins of Hello Kitty, debated gas and electric cars, and made passionate arguments about why every child should have their own bedroom.

Our judges have chosen their five favorites. Here, in alphabetical order, are the fourth-grade winners of NPR's Student Podcast Challenge:

Rebound

Students: Lucy Luria, Kenley Taylor, Remy Gunn, Molly Ward, Sadie Boyle, Henry Snyder, Quinn David, Vivi Oziel, Olivia Christensen, Sophie Weenig and Itzel Mas

School: Magnolia Elementary School, Carlsbad, California.

In ReboundStudents from Magnolia Elementary's after-school broadcasting activity told the story of their classmate Leeland Korman, a 9-year-old whose life took a dramatic turn at a family birthday party. After a serious trampoline accident, Leeland spent months in the hospital and underwent numerous surgeries. The students, along with their broadcasting teacher, Andrew Luria, used interviews and audio recordings of videos to tell the story of Leeland's accident – and to document how the community came together to support him in his recovery.

Diary of a 4th grade muralist

Students: Ella Jessup, Linzeth Suchite Escobar and William Sanchez Aquino

School: Randolph Elementary School, Arlington, Va.

When these fourth-graders learned they could help paint a mural in their school's library, they had lots of questions. Why the library? What would the theme be? Would their classmates be excited about it?

So they took on the cause like any good reporter would, interviewing their classmates, teachers, and even the mural's designers. This podcast reminds us that walls don't have to be blank and boring! They offer tips and inspiration so other students can advocate for a mural in their own school!

Far from home – A story of forced migration

Student: Ameya Desai

School: Williams Elementary School, San Jose, California.

Ameya Desai's grandfather was born in Uganda. His parents had emigrated from India and his father found work in a sugar cane factory. He tells Ameya about his childhood there: “We did a lot of sports on the edge of the sugar cane fields. Whenever we were hungry or thirsty, we would break a sugar cane and chew on it to get an instant sugar rush.” ​​But when her grandfather was studying at university, the head of state Idi Amin had ordered the expulsion of all South Asians.

In her podcast, Ameya talks about her grandfather's attempts to build a new life and teaches us a lesson: “My friends and I want to be part of the generation that continues to talk about the stories of displacement that are not told often enough, like my grandfather's. I think that by sharing the pain and suffering of our history, we can make sure it doesn't happen to others.”

The Quartering Act of 1765

Students: Santiago Ucciferri, Alexa Susca, Samantha Cohen and Kai Sudo

School: 8 Fulton Avenue School, Oceanside, NY

Every year, Jennifer D'Amelio's fourth-grade students study the prequels of the American Revolution. She challenges students to look at events like Paul Revere's Ride or the Stamp Act from different perspectives – and make a podcast about it. This group of students tackled the Quartering Act of 1765, with excellent research and even better accents. Should American colonists have to provide housing and supplies to British soldiers in exchange for their “protection”? We hear from a poor farmer, a British general, Samuel Adams, and King George himself!

Will erosion cause the Montauk Lighthouse to fall into the sea?

Students: Ella Chen and Brahmani Srirama

School: George A. Jackson Elementary School, Jericho, NY

These two young reporters have taken on a major environmental issue and investigated how it impacts their community. “All across Long Island, erosion is a major problem. Many beaches are nearly washed away and too dangerous to be on.” With the help of their teachers Lauren Kawasaki and Reshma Seth, and school librarian Danielle Melia, the students researched the issue. They discovered previous attempts to protect the Montauk Lighthouse from erosion and provided insight into how it can be protected for future generations.

Thanks again to all of our fourth grade podcasters! We look forward to hearing from you again next year. Please contact [email protected] by asking.

Copyright: NPR