Space Florida Announces Winners of 2025 Florida Space Art Contest for K-5 Students

EXPLORATION PARK, Fla.—August 25, 2025—Today, Space Florida, the state’s aerospace finance and development authority, announced the 10 finalists and two grand prize winners of the 2025 Florida Space Art Contest.

The fourth-annual contest encouraged students in grades K-5 across Florida to submit an original, two-dimensional artwork based on the theme: Liftoff! Florida’s Spaceship of the Future. Space Florida received submissions from students in the Panhandle all the way down to South Florida, with the most entries coming from Collier, Broward and Putnam Counties.  

“The talent displayed in this year’s contest reflects the same pioneering spirit that defines Florida’s 250-year legacy,” said Rob Long, President and CEO of Space Florida. “These students aren’t just creating art; they’re imagining the future of aerospace, and their creativity is a powerful reminder that innovation begins with curiosity and vision."  

Submissions were broken down into two categories by grade: K–2 and 3–5. Five art pieces from each group (10 total) were selected as finalists. Finalists each won two tickets to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and the two lucky grand prize winners, one selected from each group, will have their artwork launched into space on an upcoming mission.
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• Aavya Verma – Grand Prize Winner, 1st Grade, Broward County
• Adam Faulkner – Grand Prize Winner, 5th Grade, Broward County
• Juan Hernandez – Finalist, Kindergarten, Broward County
• Michael Rajtar – Finalist, Kindergarten, Broward County
• Stephen Wint, Jr. – Finalist, 1st Grade, Broward County
• Vanessa Wesbur – Finalist, 2nd Grade, Okaloosa County
• Chandler Watkins – Finalist, 2nd Grade, Martin County
• Abigail Cotroneo – Finalist, 3rd Grade, St. Johns County
• Nikita Anthony – Finalist, 3rd Grade, Broward County
• Hannah Hedges – Finalist, 4th Grade, St. Johns County
• Zoey Ge – Finalist, 5th Grade, Broward County
• Cameron Worboys – Finalist, 5th Grade, Broward County
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The artwork for this year’s Florida Space Art Contest can be found here.

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Media Contact
Alayna Curry, APR
acurry@spaceflorida.gov

About Space Florida
Space Florida is where leading aerospace companies get everything they need to see their new ideas take off. As the state’s independent aerospace finance and development authority, Space Florida brings a mix of unrivaled experience, unmatched financial tools, and unbeatable location to the table by providing critical business financing opportunities for the aerospace industry, managing infrastructure investment in the state’s spaceport system, and facilitating research and development, workforce, education, and investment programs.  

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