Can a healthier school create healthier students? And vice versa? A 2009 study stated that mostly “C” and “D” students exercise less than mostly “A” and “B” students. With the “Healthy School Makeover Contest,” kids can submit a video saying why their school is most deserving of the grand prize (valued at $45,000) of educational materials, training and equipment. The contest, which is open until Oct. 31, has been organized by the physical education program SPARK, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), Polar, GenMove, Healthy Lifestyle Choices, and Healthy Kids Challenge. Between Nov. 1-14, the public can vote on the finalists, while a panel of judges will choose the winner. Videos can be submitted at www.healthyschoolmakeover.com.

American Girl is running a video contest, too (and it also runs through Oct. 31). The “Share The Hero In You” contest, coinciding with the arrival of the new American Girl Doll named Caroline, asks girls ages 8-13 to make a video (no more than a minute long) on the topic of “What Makes You An Everyday Hero.” On the contest’s website between Nov. 5-25, the public will pick the grand prize-winner from the six finalists, with the winner getting a trip to Washington D.C., visits to the Smithsonian and the American Girl Washington store and other prizes. Learn more about the contest and making submissions at www.americangirl.com/carolinecontest.