STEAM Photo Contest

Open your eyes to science!

Taking a camera, and shooting a picture is an easy deal. What about going further? What about using photos to discover science?

From a water drop to a rainbow, from a bubble to a geyser, from smoke to light, from microscopy to astronomy, everywhere, we are facing scientific phenomena. MILSET  aims to give you an opportunity to freeze them for eternity!

When Art meets Science

The MILSET STEAM Photo Contest (SPC) aims at creating a leeway for youth to creatively express what they observe within science, in photos.

Goals and Objectives

• Engage youth in science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics (STEAM) by:
  • Exploring visual aspects of STEAM through the art and science of photography
  • Capturing photos to demonstrate and communicate STEAM concepts and phenomena
  • Applying STEAM techniques to the capture of digital photos.
• Build a collection of STEAM photos by youth from around the world to be used by MILSET and its member organisations.

Topics

• The MILSET STEAM Photo contest is ready to receive your photos and to learn together about. STEAM concepts from the following topics: Engineering, Computer &, Robotics Applications, Health Sciences, Nature (Environment and Ecosystems), Pure and applied Sciences and Space Sciences.
• SPACE includes stars, sky, moons, planets, eclipses, etc.

Eligibility

• Youth between the ages of 13 and 25 as of [ August  1, 2024] are eligible.
• MILSET global and regional offices’ staff, contest judges and their immediate family members cannot submit photos.

Photo Eligibility

Each contestant may submit a maximum of three photos for judging. An internet entry form must
be completed

• Any photo that demonstrates communicates or explains a scientific, technological, engineering, or mathematical concept or phenomenon is eligible.
• The internet entry form requires the contestant to describe briefly the concept or phenomenon associated with each photo in English.
• Photos must be the sole work of the contestant.
• Photographs capturing faces are not allowed due to the General Data Protection law.
• Photos must be captured using a digital camera – photos created by any software are not allowed.
• Processing, including cropping and adjustments to correct or enhance exposure or colours, is acceptable; the addition, removal, or distortion of significant content is not permitted.
• Photos must not include a watermark or descriptive text.

Submission deadline

All photos and the Online Registration Form must be submitted for the 2024 edition by no later than August 1, 2024.

Description to be included with the photo

• Name and surname
• Date of Birth
• City and Country
• Email address
• Select the topic related to the photo: Health Sciences, Pure & Applied Sciences, Nature (Environment and Ecosystems), Engineering, Computer &, Robotics Applications, Space Sciences
• Title (in English, maximum of 60 characters)
• Brief plain language (only in English) description of the science concept or phenomena depicted in the photo. The explanation should be understandable for youth/students and the public. (Maximum 300 characters)

Photo Format

• Colour or grayscale
• Minimum resolution: 2000 pixels wide
• Maximum file size: 10MB
• jpeg, png, psd, or tiff format

Evaluation criteria

The submitted photos will be evaluated anonymously by a jury comprised of at least ten (10) persons recognised for their competence in the fields of photography, STEAM education, or scientific communication to obtain the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.

If the number of entries is significant, MILSET may conduct a pre-judging screening.

Entries will be judged on:

• Originality: creativity of the photo and/or photographic technique
• Informational content: effectiveness at communicating the phenomenon or concept
• Technical proficiency: focus, composition, depth of field, Photo processing
• Artistic and Visual Impact: aesthetic quality, visual and emotional appeal

Also, a People Choice Award will be selected through the best 15 photos in a voting process on MILSET social media platforms, selected the 3 most voted to receive a certificate and to be part of the MILSET SPC Gallery during the MILSET Expo-Sciences International, ESI 2025

Awards

A maximum of 3 photos will be selected by the jury will receive awards:

• 1st place: Lightroom Photography plan (20GB)
• 2nd place: Affinity Photo 2 annual subscription
• 3rd place: Affinity Photo 2 annual subscription
• People Choice Award: Amazon online Gift card 25 euros

The best 15 scored photos (including the winners) will be displayed

• in the MILSET SPC Virtual gallery on the MILSET website.
• Best photos will be part of the MILSET Journal of Science Engagement (JOSE).

Publication rights and copyright

• If your entry is selected as a winning photo(s), you give MILSET non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide rights to use your name and the photo(s) in connection with the competition as MILSET sees fit.
• You certify and warrant that you hold the rights to grant such permission and agree to hold MILSET harmless in any disputes that arise out of photo ownership/rights.
• Photo copyright remains the property of the contestant even though permission to use the photo is given to MILSET.
• MILSET agrees to identify the photo’s creator in its publications.

Contestant agreement

• By submitting a photo to the MILSET STEAM Photo Contest, contestants agree to abide by the competition’s official rules. I acknowledge that all decisions of competition organisers about any aspect of the competition, including eligibility or disqualification, are final and cannot be appealed.

For more information

Please contact spc@milset.org

MILSET SPC Rules

Download the file to learn more.

Parental / Guardian consent

This form is only if the participant is under 18 years old.

Discover the best MILSET SPC pics, and enjoy the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of each edition.