Horror Media & Genre Studies
Study horror as a creative genre, including film techniques, literary traditions, and cultural analysis. Develop critical thinking skills through media analysis.
Building your Award:
Find Bronze Award examples to support activity planning
Example SMART Goal: Horror storytelling fascinates me, so I’m challenging myself to write for an hour each week for 13 weeks. I’ll experiment with different settings, characters, and plot twists to sharpen my creative writing skills.
Example Assessor: English teacher, librarian, or adult who enjoys reading/writing
Example Log: Started drafting a ghost story set in an old house. Really focused on building suspense through word choice and pacing. Next week: developing my main character’s backstory.
Example SMART Goal: Exploring creepy outdoor settings could inspire my horror writing! I’ll hike for an hour each week, tracking my distance and endurance while soaking in atmospheric details for story ideas.
Example Assessor: Gym teacher, coach, or hiking club leader
Example Log: Hiked a 4 km forest trail and took tons of notes on spooky atmosphere details. Finished 10 minutes faster than last month. Trying a tougher trail with more elevation next time.
Example SMART Goal: I love horror books, so I’m volunteering at the library! I’ll help organize the horror and sci-fi sections and assist with themed reading events for an hour each week for 13 weeks.
Example Assessor: Librarian or library volunteer coordinator
Example Log: Reorganized the horror section today and made recommendation cards for popular books. Helped 3 teens find something they’d like. Planning a Halloween reading event for younger kids next week.
(Completed as a team. Participants will work together to plan and complete their journey.)
Example Activity: Go on a “spooky locations” exploration! Visit historic sites, old buildings, or natural areas with interesting vibes. Research local legends, document your findings, and use them as inspiration for creative writing.
Example Team Goal: Our team will explore at least 4 atmospheric locations, dig into their history, photograph interesting details, and create a collaborative horror story or guide inspired by what we find.
Example Assessor/Supervisor: Teacher, Award Leader, or community volunteer
