Renaissance Celebrates Student Creativity With Flocabulary Lyric Contest

Nationwide contest amplifies students' voices, offers a chance to publish a lesson for 20,000 US schools

BLOOMINGTON, Minn., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Renaissance, a global leader in pre-K–12 education technology, is hosting a nationwide lyric contest through the popular Flocabulary platform. Educators are invited to celebrate student creativity through a contest asking students to research, write, and rhyme about a historical figure who inspires them. By entering, students have an opportunity to see their lyrics transformed into a Flocabulary video and lesson.  

Through the Flocabulary Student Voice Lyric Contest, K–12 educators help students develop core literacy skills through project-based learning. Students choose and learn about a historical figure that captures their interest. Then, they write at least 16 lines of lyrics that demonstrate strong vocabulary, rhythm, and flow. The contest uplifts student voices of all backgrounds and abilities as an extension of Renaissance's mission.

Entries will be evaluated for length, format, historical figure selection, content, and style. Ten student finalists earn prizes for themselves and their classrooms. Then, these finalists perform and record their hip-hop-inspired lyrics. A Renaissance committee, largely made up of former educators, will choose two winners, in elementary (grades K–5) and secondary (grades 6–12) categories, to have their hip-hop-inspired lyrics turned into a Flocabulary video and a suite of learning activities. The winning lessons will be made available to 20,000 schools across the country.

"Through this contest, students become better writers while engaging with culture and history," said Dr. Mervin Jenkins, Director of Partnership Engagement and Thought Leadership at Renaissance. "Lyrics are an incredible tool for making connections through telling stories, inspiring emotions, and sharing life perspectives. I'm excited to see the creativity demonstrated in students' lyrics."

Part of Renaissance's ecosystem, Flocabulary accelerates learning and academic vocabulary through rigorous and authentically engaging instructional experiences. The platform offers over 1,500 standards-aligned video-based lessons that support vocabulary acquisition and comprehension skills across K–12 subjects. These video-based lessons captivate students and create memorable learning experiences by harnessing the power of hip-hop music, visual art, storytelling, humor, drama, and poetry.

Potential student applicants may be inspired by the winning Temple Grandin and Sally Ride videos from the 2025 contest:

• "Temple G., a rarity, thinking in designs. Turning bright ideas into changing guidelines. Standing tall, breaking walls, making tables spin. Proven strength starts within, Temple Grandin." — Secondary school winner, Lana S., a 10th grader from Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky
   
• "Second flight was just as right, eight days to be specific. Conducted observations that were cool and scientific. Sally's flight made history. To be an astronaut American woman, she's the first to earn that spot." — Elementary school winner, Chloe R., a fifth grader from Catapult Learning in California

To learn more about the Flocabulary Student Voice Lyric Contest, review the contest details. Entries will be accepted through Nov. 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST. The winning entries will premiere as Flocabulary lessons in April 2027 during National Poetry Month.

About Renaissance
As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. Through our comprehensive suite of connected solutions, we deliver powerful, aligned tools that support teaching and learning at every stage.

Renaissance Intelligence, our first-of-its-kind Education Intelligence System, unifies assessment, instruction, practice, and curriculum in one AI-powered workflow, turning real-time data into actionable guidance that helps educators personalize teaching and make informed decisions with confidence.

We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

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SOURCE Renaissance