Eligibility

• Open to students from Class 6 to HSC 25 (or equivalent).
• Teams can consist of 2 to 4 members.
• Members may come from the same or different institutions or age groups.

How to Participate

1. 1. Form a Team: Gather 2 to 4 members who share your enthusiasm for astronomy and astrophysics.
2. 2. Register: Complete the registration Form and Payment at the website.
   • i. Registration Fee: BDT 600 per team.
   • ii. Registration Deadline: March 1, 2025.
3. 3. Prepare Your Poster: Choose a topic from the provided list and create a compelling, visually attractive, and scientifically accurate poster.
4. 4. Submit Your Poster:
   • i. Submission Portal Opens: March 1, 2025.
   • ii. Submission Deadline: March 7, 2025.

Poster Details

To ensure your poster meets the guidelines, follow these instructions:

• Dimensions: Posters should be in A1 size (59.4 cm x 84.1 cm)
• Orientation: Landscape or Portrait
• File Format: Submit in PDF format with a resolution suitable for printing (at least 300 DPI).
• References: Include a section with the sources you used during your research. A reference link list at the bottom of your poster is mandatory.
• Provided Example Posters: For your convenience, we are providing a link to examples used in the previous IOAA 2024 Poster Competition, that you can use as a starting point for your research: [IOAA 2024 Poster Competition – https://ioaa2024.on.br/poster_competition.html]
• Creative Freedom: Your poster does not need to be based entirely on the references. Feel free to use your creativity to make your work engaging, original, and innovative.

Competition Topics

Choose from an extensive list of topics, covering diverse areas of astronomy and astrophysics:

• 1. History of Astronomy
• 2. Archeoastronomy
• 3. Space Exploration
• 4. Earth and Solar System
• 5. Exoplanets
• 6.  Black Holes and Their Mysteries
• 7. Role of AI in Astronomy
• 8. Formation and Evolution of Galaxies
• 9. Observational Astronomy
• 10. Any Other Topic Related to Astronomy and Astrophysics

Competition Rounds

1. Preliminary Round

• i. This phase will be conducted entirely online.
• ii. Teams will submit their prepared posters through the online submission portal.
• iii. A panel of expert judges will evaluate all submissions based on criteria such as scientific content, creativity, design, and presentation quality.
• iv. Top posters will be selected to advance to the National Round.

2. National Round

• i. The best posters from the Preliminary Round will be displayed live at the National Round, held during the BDOAA event day.
• ii. Participants will have the chance to exhibit their posters in front of a larger audience, including educators, scientists, and peers.
• iii. All team members of the teams qualifying to the National Round will be physically invited at the National Round of BDOAA at IUB, Dhaka.
• iv. Judges will evaluate posters based on content depth, creativity, clarity, originality, and overall impact. 
• v. No verbal/oral presentation. Participants can informally present or explain their posters to audiences present, but can not present verbally during the judgement period
• vi. Winners of the National Round will be crowned National Winners and awarded certificates and exciting prizes.

3. International Round

• i. National Winners will enter a training and final selection phase to refine their skills and knowledge.
• ii. The best team will be chosen to virtually represent Bangladesh at the Poster Segment of IOAA 2025, held in Mumbai, India.
• iii. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase your work on an international platform and gain recognition among the global scientific community.

Awards & Perks

• Represent Bangladesh at IOAA 2025: Winners will have the prestigious opportunity to virtually present their poster at IOAA 2025 in Mumbai, India, among participants from across the globe.
• Certificates of Excellence: Top-performing teams will receive certificates recognizing their outstanding work.
• Exciting Prizes: Winners and runners-up will be awarded exclusive prizes, which could include gadgets, astronomy kits, gift vouchers, or other surprises.
• National Recognition: Winning posters will be showcased on BDOAA platforms, giving participants visibility among the national academic and scientific community.
• Skill Development: Participation provides invaluable experience in scientific research, poster-making, and presentation.
• Participation Certificates: Every registered team member who will submit their poster will receive an e-certificate for their effort and dedication. Teams who registered but did not submit any poster will not get participation certificates.

Why Join?

• Expand your knowledge and understanding of astronomy and astrophysics.
• Showcase your creativity and research skills.
• Gain experience in scientific poster-making and presentation.
• Represent Bangladesh on a global stage at IOAA 2025 in Mumbai, India.
• Build connections with like-minded peers and mentors.

Important Dates

• • Registration Starts: January 5, 2025
  • Registration Deadline: March 1, 2025
  • Submission Portal Opens: March 1, 2025
  • Submission Deadline: March 7, 2025

• Results of Preliminary Round: 2nd-3rd Week of March