PLATO is pleased to launch a student ethics case writing project. Any middle or high school student in the United States can participate.

The goal is to create an open-access library of case studies focusing on ethical dilemmas relevant to middle and high school students that can be used in middle and high school classrooms and in other ethics forums.

Accepted cases will be published on PLATO’s website, with credit to the writers, and students will receive $100 for each published case. A team of graduate students will review and edit the cases before publication.

All published cases become the property of PLATO.

Guidelines: Each case should focus on an ethical issue, current or perennial, relevant to middle and/or high school students. The case must consider the ethical issue from at least two viewpoints presented fully and generously, so that the complexity of the case is made clear. If you have suggestions for study questions for students analyzing the case, please include them.

Length: 300-500 words

Sample case: “Standing for the National Anthem.”

Authorship: Cases can be written by individuals or a group of students (all contributors will be credited).

All submissions will be anonymously reviewed by a committee of five judges according to the following criteria:

• Does the case clearly articulate the ethical issue and its ethical complications?
• Does the case explicitly consider at least two viewpoints in a balanced way?
• Is the case well-written and clearly organized?

DEADLINE: Submit cases online by completing the form to the right (or below on mobile), by 5 pm Monday, August 14, 2023.

Writers of accepted cases will be notified in September 2023.