Contest: In an Astronomer's Shoes 2026

Join in on our spring contest In an Astronomer’s Shoes. From February 23 through May 22, 2025 we invite students in grade 4-12 to step into the role of a true astronomer and submit a mock request for observation time on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)!

Your students will choose an exoplanet (planets outside our Solar System) that they would like to learn more about using one of astronomy’s most powerful telescopes, JWST. Students will get to show off their creativity and scientific thinking as they fill out a mock observing time request form. How deep you want to take this is up to you! It can be a quick and simple activity done within a class or two, or you can dive in deeper using our Exoplanets in the Classroom activities to learn more about distant worlds.

By registering, you’ll receive all the resources and information you need to guide your budding astronomers through this short activity, along with videos you can present in class: one explaining the contest and another introducing your students to real JWST astronomers! Please also visit the contest page for more information. At the end, you can submit your students forms for a chance to win one of a handful of prizes including books and a zoom chat with your host astronomer, Alicia Savelli!

Register now to join us for a day In an Astronomer’s Shoes!