# Description
Participants utilize written and verbal communication skills designed for a mass audience to convey a news story revolving around a designated theme in both a video broadcast (preliminary) and a digital written format (semifinals). Participants must demonstrate a strong understanding of journalism etiquette and common practices of the field.
# Theme 2026-2027
Headline: Scientists link human right-handedness to walking upright and brain evolution
Background:
Most humans favor their right hand, but scientists have long debated why this pattern is so common across cultures. Unlike humans, other primates do not show the same strong population-wide preference for one hand. A new Oxford-led study published in PLOS Biology suggests that human right-handedness may be connected to two major steps in human evolution: walking upright on two legs and the expansion of the brain. Researchers analyzed data from 2,025 individuals across 41 species of monkeys and apes, using evolutionary modeling to compare possible explanations for handedness, including tool use, diet, habitat, body size, social behavior, brain size, and locomotion. Their findings suggest that as early human ancestors became more fully bipedal and developed larger brains, right-handedness became increasingly common. The study also raises new questions about why left-handedness still exists and whether similar patterns of limb preference in other animals may have evolved in comparable ways.
Prompt:Based on the following headline, develop a news broadcast that includes an introduction of the headline, a summary of the information in the news story, and an explanation of potential future implications of the highlighted work.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1128472
# Careers Associated
News Anchor
Scientific Journalist
Researcher/corresponding author
Field Reporter
# Oklahoma Eligibility
Entries are limited to one (1) team of two to three (2-3) members per chapter.
# State Competition Information
All components of the chapter's entry, including the website address (URL) must be finished, submitted, and accessible via the internet by March 26, 2027.
Upload the document portfolio and video here
Students will need their Participant ID number and password from their advisor. Only the team captain will be able to upload the file.
Written permission for all copyrighted material must be included by completing the Student Copyright Checklist
A consent and release form is required for all recognizable individuals pictured in the video/photos.
# Coordinators
The individual listed below is familiar with this event and available to give guidance. Please email them if you have questions regarding this event.
Jessica Graham
jessicagraham@mooreschools.com
Event Coordinator