As part of Coast Day 2026, Delaware Space Grant sponsored a statewide poster contest asking participants to create artwork inspired by the theme “Ocean from Space or the Sky.”

The organizers prompted participants to imagine themselves looking down at the ocean from a satellite, rocket, or airplane and draw, paint or create a poster of how they imagine the ocean from space or the sky.

Delaware Sea Grant professionals helped organizers reach out to members of their education network, as well as individual schools and educators, to announce the contest, and students in grades K-12 submitted over 120 entries.

Six judges reviewed submissions, which could be submitted individually or in teams of two.

The judges selected 11 pieces of artwork as award winners.

The winners attended Coast Day 2026, met the poster contest organizers, and saw their artwork on display for the general public.

“We were especially excited to meet the winners in person during the 50th anniversary of the University of Delaware’s Coast Day and celebrate their creativity and interest in the ocean and environment,” said Yun Li, associate professor in UD’s School of Marine Science and Policy who helped organize the contest alongside student organizers Abby Heiser, a Marian R. Okie Fellow, and Tianyu Zhou, a NASA FINESST Fellow.

Divided up into four categories separated by age group, the posters were judged on creativity and originality, connection to the theme, visual impact as well as effort and presentation.

In the 5-7 age group, First Prize went to Sadie Rose Nelson from Phillip C. Showell Elementary School.

In the 8-10 age group, First Prize went to Fiora E. Esposito and Emmy C. Mazzei from Milton Elementary School. Second Prize went to Sophia E. Kollar of Lewes Elementary School and Lily Armstrong of Lewes Elementary School. Third Prize went to Samantha Lares-Carrillo of Milton Elementary School and Rose Marie Geosits of Lewes Elementary School.

In the 11-14 age group, First Prize went to Anna Liang from Sussex Academy Middle School. Second prize went to Arshi N. Desai of Beacon Middle School and third prize went to Magnolia J. Kneavel of Newark Charter Senior High School.

First prize in the 15-18 age group went to Srujana V. Akella from MOT Charter High School. Second prize went to Brooke C. Onuschak from Sussex Academy High School.

All award winners’ artwork is available on the 2026 Coast Day Poster Contest website.