Discovery by Design All Majors. One Mission: Moon, Mars, and Beyond Video and Poster Design Challenge

About the Challenge

Just as it takes thousands of specialists across disciplines to make a mission to the Moon or Mars possible, this challenge celebrates the idea that the intersection of ideas creates innovation. Whether you're into business or accounting, STEM-focused, or a fine arts major, your perspective matters. The Discovery by Design challenge invites UTSA students to showcase their unique skills, studies, and creativity, proving that anyone, in any major, can contribute to a successful mission at NASA. In Fall 2025, step into a role only you can play—and help shape the next giant leap for humankind.

Prizes

  • First Prize: Tour of the Johnson Space Center in Houston + a $500 UTSA Scholarship
  • Second Prize & Third Prize: $500 UTSA Scholarship

Winning entries may be submitted individually or by a team of up to three people. Only the eligible students named on the entry form will be considered for awards — scholarships sponsored by UTSA Strategic Enrollment.

Ready to submit? Got a question?

Have a question or want to submit an entry to win? Please e-mail academicinnovation@utsa.edu

Deadlines

  • Challenge Launch: September 1, 2025
  • Submission Deadlines: November 15, 2025
  • Winner Announcement: Early December

Categories

  • Short-Form Video for YouTube
  • Print Poster or Flyer Design

Keep scrolling for guidelines, best practices, and resources/examples.

Video guidelines

Create a 60–90 second video that highlights:

  • The Artemis program and NASA’s journey from the Moon to Mars — and beyond.
  • How NASA plans to return to the Moon and use it as a launch point for future missions to Mars.
  • The wide range of careers and disciplines that support space exploration.
  • NASA needs more than just astronauts — people with backgrounds in science, engineering, art, business, communication, health, psychology, and many other fields all contribute to mission success.
  • NASA’s work depends on teamwork, creativity, and diverse skills. No matter your major or interests, there’s a way you can contribute to this mission and help shape the future of space exploration.

Your video should do more than just state facts: it should capture attention quickly, tell a focused story, and make viewers feel something. Whether you’re informing, inspiring, or entertaining, the goal is to clearly show that the journey from Moon to Mars and beyond isn’t just for astronauts or engineers — it’s for everyone.

A strong video will:

  • Hook the audience early — grab attention within the first few seconds
  • Tell a clear story or idea — make sure viewers understand the message by the end
  • Show variety — highlight different majors or skills that can contribute to the mission
  • Use emotion, humor, or energy — give the viewer a reason to care, connect, or remember
Use public NASA assets and responsibly integrate AI tools for storyboarding, image generation, and editing. AI-generated video content must be used with care to preserve authenticity and accuracy.

Submission Requirements:

  • Upload to YouTube as listed or unlisted
  • Video duration: 60–90 seconds
  • Video should be in landscape format
  • Video must include titling and graphics
  • Link required in submission to Academic Innovation <AcademicInnovation@utsa.edu>
  • File naming: LastName_FirstName_OneMission

Print Poster or Flyer Design

Create a poster or flyer that powerfully communicates the idea that students from all majors have a role to play in NASA’s journey from the Moon to Mars... and beyond.

Your design should do more than just share information — it should grab attention, spark curiosity, and make the viewer feel inspired or excited about the mission. Show visually and verbally that exploration from the Moon to Mars and beyond is a collective effort that depends on people from many different fields, not just science or engineering.

A strong poster or flyer will:

  • Draw people in visually with a clear layout and thoughtful use of color, images, and typography
  • Deliver a clear message that students from different fields, not just science or engineering, are needed for Moon to Mars (and beyond)
  • Make the audience care by using language or imagery that connects them to the mission
  • Inspire action or interest, such as wanting to learn more, get involved, or share with others
Use NASA imagery and AI-generated visuals if desired, but final work must be original, printable, and school-appropriate.

Submission Requirements:

  • Submit as JPG or PNG with your submission to Academic Innovation <AcademicInnovation@utsa.edu>
  • 300 DPI, ready for print
  • Max size: 11x17 inches
  • File naming: LastName_FirstName_OneMission

Responsible AI Use Guidelines (Required for Submission)

Students are welcome to use artificial intelligence tools to enhance their images or videos. However, all entries must follow the guidelines below to ensure responsible, ethical, and legally appropriate use.

AI Use Must Be Commercially Safe

You may only use AI tools that generate content which is clearly permitted for commercial use. This includes:

  • Tools that give you rights to share, publish, and display the content publicly.
  • Tools that do not restrict generated content to “personal use only.”

If you're unsure whether a tool is allowed, check its license or terms of use. If it's still unclear, assume it is not permitted.

You Must Disclose AI Use

Each entry must include a short written statement explaining:

  • What type of AI tools were used (e.g., image generation, voice editing, video enhancement).
  • How those tools contributed to the final product.

Example: "I used an AI tool to generate background visuals and to enhance voice audio. The final edits and structure were done manually." This helps judges understand how the work was created and ensures transparency.

Prohibited Content

  • AI-generated depictions of real people without consent
  • Misleading or false
  • Content that promotes violence, hate, or discrimination
Use AI as a creative assistant, not a substitute for your original thinking. Choose tools with clear guidelines and usage rights. Be honest about how and where AI played a role in your project.

A maximum of 3 students per entry is allowed. Prizes are subject to university and state disbursement policies. Winners will be notified by email and may be asked to present or share their work publicly. UTSA reserves the right to feature winning submissions in promotional materials.

Resources and Examples

Resources

Examples

Missed the Kick-Off Event? View it here! Hear from Chris Packham, Jennifer Becerra, and Willie Schaefer:

FAQ

  • How do I submit my entry? There is no submission form. All entries must be emailed to: AcademicInnovation@utsa.edu
  • Who owns the intellectual property for my design? Your submission remains your intellectual property under standard university policy for student work. If NASA decides to publicly use or share a winning design, additional agreements may be needed, and those would be handled outside of the challenge submission process.
  • Do I need UTSA or NASA logos? No mandatory branding requirements. You are not required to use: UT San Antonio logo, NASA logo, Specific fonts, or university colors. You may use public NASA assets if they are cleared for public use.
  • Can multiple people create one entry? Yes — up to three students per team. Only one person needs to send the email, but list all team members.
  • How will the judges see my YouTube video? Once you email the link, it goes into the official judging queue. Judges will not search YouTube manually.

Meet our Judging Panel