APRSAF-31
November 18-21, 2025
Cebu Island, Philippines 
Poster Contest
Report on the Domestic Selection Process
APRSAF-31 POSTER CONTEST Local Activity Report
How National Poster Contest Are Organized
The Secretariat of the APRSAF Poster Contest has encouraged the Points of Contact (PoC) to share their local activities to showcase their success.
The APRSAF Poster Contest is an international contest, where each PoC organizes a national contest and selects three posters each to be exhibited at the international APRSAF Poster Contest.
Reports have been submitted by PoC from Australia, Azerbaijan, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, representing 15 participating countries. The Secretariat of the APRSAF Poster Contest and the Space Education for All Working Group appreciate their contributions and commend their successful educational efforts.
AUSTRALIA
APRSAF-31 Poster Competition Report
Reported by Nate Taylor, Australian Space Agency
The Australian Space Agency organised six local poster competition events (see Figure 1) at the Australian Space Discovery Centre during in September 2025. These events were promoted on the Agency’s social media channels, outlining the ‘Lunar City’ theme and encouraging Australians to participate in the poster competition.
The events were held during the South Australian school holidays whereby any visitor to the Discovery Centre could create an artwork submission for the competition outside of the pre-organised event times. Digital signs were also displayed in the centre to promote the poster competition to all visitors (see Figure 2).
A permanent workstation was established in the Discovery Centre throughout September. The workstation housed A3 paper and art supplies, along with the conditions of entry to the poster competition (see Figure 3). Discovery Centre staff (Space Communicators) engaged with participants to explore the different lunar themes included in their artwork and to inspire their creativity.
Of the events hosted in the Centre, 20 participants pre-booked tickets to attend (one adult and one child per ticket). Participants were invited to explore the interactive exhibits in the centre’s Space Gallery to inform their artwork across topics such as remote operations, life in space, robotics and automation, and space situational awareness (see Figure 4).
Figure 1 - Six events created using the Trybooking events platform to be hosted in the Australian Space Discovery Centre.
Figure 2 - Digital signs promoting the APRSAF-31 Poster Competition.
Figure 3 - A workstation housing artwork supplies for competition entrants.
Figure 4 - The interactive Space Gallery contains 21 exhibits exploring a range of space topics. The Gallery was designed and built by Questacon, the Australian national science educator.
The Australian Space Agency received ten poster submissions in total, three of which did not meet eligibility or artwork requirements. Several submissions included concepts such as agriculture in space, transportation, human life sciences, communications, and robotics.
REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
APRSAF-31 Poster Competition Report
Reported by Sakina Aghalarova, the Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan
On September 19, Azerbaijani schoolchildren participated in the national phase of the APRSAF-31 Space Poster Contest organized by the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31).
Organized by the SPACE Academy with the support of the Institute of Education of Azerbaijan and the State Agency for Preschool and General Education, the contest brought together 50 students from various schools.
During the national round, students presented their artworks, explaining the ideas behind them. Their posters, prepared under the theme “Lunar City”, were evaluated based on several criteria: creativity and relevance to the theme, inspiration and justification, technique and technical skill, effectiveness of the message, overall presentation, and public speaking ability.
The three highest-scoring posters were selected to represent the Republic of Azerbaijan in the international phase of the APRSAF-31 Space Poster Contest. The main goal of the contest is to foster students’ interest and awareness in space science and technology, while promoting creativity in the field of space.
The Space Poster Contest aims to develop students’ creativity, research skills, scientific thinking, and technical illustration abilities. It also seeks to increase their interest in space and science, encourage both individual and collaborative work among students, and ultimately contribute to the development of a strategic human resource potential in the field.
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Local Activity Report (China)
Reported by Xiao Liu, Shanghai Society of Astronautics
In August this year, the Shanghai Society of Astronautics (SSA), acting as the PoC for China in the 31st Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) Poster Contest, publicly announced a call for entries through two primary channels: its official website and WeChat official account. The submission process was conducted online, and a total of 114 qualified entries were received.
Following the collection period, the SSA organized an internal review process to evaluate the submissions. Three outstanding posters were selected as the national entries to represent China in the international competition.
Despite promotion efforts across the country, particularly within the Yangtze River Delta region (including Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces), all submissions received were from authors based in Shanghai. This indicates that broader national engagement remains a challenge. We will continue to work on enhancing the contest’s visibility and influence to attract participants from a wider geographic range in the future.
SSA official website
WeChat official account
URL: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/DmvHtQDUOpdNYJQ3cI3Agw
Qianyu Li
Xiayu Hang
Kaiwen Luo
REPUBLIC OF INDIA
APRSAF Poster Competition in India
Reported by Manoj Pai, Astronomy Club, Ahmedabad, India
Introduction
As the Point of Contact (PoC) for India, it was a privilege to organize the APRSAF Poster Competition across schools in India. The initiative was designed to reach diverse groups of students, with a special focus on:
- Schools in tribal regions
- Children from economically disadvantaged families
- Students with disabilities, particularly those with speech and hearing impairments
The competitions were conducted between July and September 2025, carefully scheduled to avoid overlaps with examinations, holidays, and festivals.
Participation and Engagement
Each event was attended by school principals and neutral observers from government organizations, technical industries, and allied institutions. The Astronomy Club, Ahmedabad, was represented by Mr. Jayanti Khemchandani, Mr. Janak Patel, Mr Laurence Dsouza and Mr. Pratham Ambla.
Students were invited to imagine and describe a “Lunar City”, first in their own words and then through paintings or sketches. The theme captured their imagination, resulting in enthusiastic participation.
Participation Highlights
Total participants: 689 students of which Children with disabilities: 19, Tribal students: 110 and Students from low-income families: 128
Evaluation and Recognition
Entries were reviewed by a distinguished panel comprising national award winners, astronomers, aerospace experts, and fine arts teachers. The creativity and originality displayed by the students were widely appreciated. Three of the best entries were sent to the APRSAF HQ.
Selected posters were showcased to the public during the World Space Week celebrations in October 2025, offering a glimpse into the vibrant imagination of India’s young minds and their vision for space exploration.
REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
INDONESIA ACTIVITY REPORT
Reported by Sri Wahyu Cahya Ningsih, Indonesia Science Center (PP-IPTEK)
| Event Name | : | Space Poster Contest road to APRSAF-31 Poster Contest |
| Participants | : | 104 children aged 6–12 years old from 117 schools |
| Date & Venue | : | September 27th, 2025, Indonesia Science Center |
The poster drawing competition was organized to foster creativity, imagination, and self-confidence among children, as well as to select artworks that will represent Indonesia in the APRSAF-31 Poster Contest. Through this competition, participants not only learned to express their ideas about space and astronomy through drawings but also developed their artistic skills and nurtured their interest in the field of art.
The competition was participated in by children aged 6–12 years, with a total of 104 children. Each participant was given approximately 180 minutes or 3 hours to create a poster based on the given theme. Throughout the event, the children showed great enthusiasm and excitement, producing unique and colorful artworks.
Many children demonstrated a strong interest in visual arts, particularly in drawing and coloring. Some even brought their favorite art supplies from home, reflecting strong support from parents as well as genuine passion for artistic expression.
The poster drawing competition was successfully carried out with active participation and cheerful spirits from all the children. Beyond providing a platform for artistic expression, the event also encouraged children’s interest in space, astronomy, arts, and creativity. It is hoped that similar activities will continue to be organized to support children’s talent development from an early age.
JAPAN
Reported by Norihisa Kowase, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
In Japan, September 12th is designated as “Space Day” to commemorate the International Space Year of 1992. This date marks the day astronaut Dr. Mamoru Mohri became the first Japanese astronaut to go to space on the Space Shuttle. JAXA holds an annual essay and painting contest for elementary and junior high school students nationwide to spark interest in space exploration. The 33rd contest was held in 2025. In the “Painting Division,” 3,227 posters were entered to the elementary school division, and three posters received the “Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum Japan Representative Award”.
Japan’s three representative posters
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
2025 APRSAF-31 Poster Contest Local Activity Report
Reported by Keumsuk Kim, Young Astronauts Korea
The "Republic of Korea Poster Contest" was held online (http://yak-aprsaf.or.kr/) from July 3rd to September 27th.
A total of 60 students participated.
Of the 12 good entries, the top three were selected and submitted.
A collection of works
MALAYSIA
LOCAL ACTIVITY REPORT
Reported by JONG TZE KIAN, National Planetarium
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)
| Program: | National Space Challenge Poster Contest 2025 “Peraduan Poster National Space Challenge 2025” |
| Theme: | Lunar City |
| Organizer: | National Planetarium Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) |
| Contest Method: | Online submissions |
| Date Announcement: | 25 August 2025 |
| Submission Due Date: | 25 September 2025 |
| Total Posters Received: | 283 posters, which consist of a) 4 posters (< 6 years old) b) 190 posters (6–12 years old) c) 89 posters (13–17 years old) |
| Pre-selection: | 30 September 2025 a) 22 posters (6–12 years old) were shortlisted b) 25 posters (13–17 years old) were shortlisted |
| Final Evaluation: | 1 October 2025 (evaluation by 3 appointed judges) a) Primary School Category 5 Best Poster Awards were selected b) Secondary School Category 5 Best Poster Awards were selected |
| APRSAF31 Poster Contest: | Top 3 best posters under Primary School Category were submitted on the 3 October 2025 |
Introduction:
The Poster Contest is one of the activities under the National Space Challenge 2025 (NSC2025), organized annually by the National Planetarium, a division of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). Now in its 18th edition since its introduction in 2007, the 2025 contest adopts the theme “Lunar City,” following the poster contest initiative announced by the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) Space Education for All Working Group (SE4AWG). The contest is conducted online and consists of two categories: primary and secondary school. Students create their posters at school and submit them through the online form provided by the organizer. The contest offers students the opportunity to imagine, enhance their creativity, and express their ideas through art.
The Poster Contest supports the MOSTI Strategic Plan 2024–2030 under Strategic Thrust 5: Cultivation and Application of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Economy (STIE). It also helps raise awareness and provide exposure to the importance of STEM, particularly among the younger generation, through effective delivery methods and interactive learning. In addition, students’ participation at the national level is recognized and counted as merit points under the Physical, Sports, and Co-Curricular Activities Assessment (PAJSK), as required by the Ministry of Education Malaysia.
Poster Announcement
Facebook Announcement
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17Try5LFJq/
Photos: Final Poster Evaluation – 1 October 2025
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Report on the Domestic Selection Process
Reported by Marco Dimaano Melgar, Philippine Space Agency
The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) organized the #YamangKalawakan Poster Making Contest as the country-level competition for the APRSAF-31 Poster Contest, challenging elementary learners to illustrate the theme "Lunar City". This competition showcased the creativity of Filipino kids aged 6 to 12, who brought their visions of a future Lunar City to life through art: combining science, imagination, and artistic expression.
The call for submissions ran from May 30 to July 20, 2025. The contest garnered significant national participation, receiving 185 entries from 89 institutions across 12 regions. Region IV-A led with 59 submissions, followed by NCR (31) and Region III (27). Judging took place from July 28–30, 2025, evaluating entries based on Artistic execution and presentation (50%), Originality and relevance to the theme (40%), and Overall impact (10%).
After careful deliberation by a panel of esteemed judges, here are the top three (3) entries:
"Welcome to the Lunar City! (The Concept of Rocket Capsule House)" by Alexander Maverick R. Malunes of the Las Piñas Elementary School Central, Las Piñas City
"The Journey to the New Moon" by Lianne Jamie M. Sibuan of the Iloilo Central Elementary School, Iloilo City
"Moon Metropolis: Bold, Bright, and Bouncy" by Anillee Grace A. Rosas of the Caranglaan Elementary School, Dagupan City
The winners were recognized during the Awarding Ceremony held on August 9, 2025, as part of the Philippine Space Week celebration.
First place
Second place
Third place
Top three winners
DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA
Activity Report: ACCIMT–APRSAF Children’s Space Poster Competition 2025
Reported by Indika Medagangoda, Arthur C. Clarke Institute, Sri Lanka
The Astronomy and Outreach Division of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT) successfully organized the 2025 Poster Competition for schoolchildren aged 6 to 12, under the guidelines of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF). This annual event is part of ACCIMT’s outreach agenda, initiated in 2006, following its appointment as Sri Lanka’s representative to APRSAF in 2004. Over the past two decades, Sri Lankan students have received several recognitions at previous APRSAF poster contests, including the prestigious “JAXA Award” in 2024.
To facilitate the local competition, ACCIMT circulated announcements through its network of school astronomy and space science associations, as well as through newspaper notices. The theme for 2025 was “Moon City,” and a total of 266 posters were submitted. After initial screening, 226 entries were accepted for evaluation. ACCIMT management appointed the following executive staff members to the judging panel:
- Mrs. Rasika Somathilaka – Director, Information Technology Division
- Mr. Anjana Jayasinghe – Senior Software Engineer
- Ms. Umeshika Fonseka – Research Scientist (Space Applications)
- Mr. Theekshana Piyadasa – Research Scientist (Astronomy)
Following APRSAF guidelines, three winning posters were selected to represent Sri Lanka at the APRSAF Poster Contest 2025.
Figure: selection of received posters by the panel of judges and their assistants