Alien Ranking Card Student Design Contest

Updated by Kristine

Updated for the 2026-27 school year.

Thank you for participating in the Progress Learning Alien Ranking Card Student Design Contest!

This page serves as the official source of information for all contest rules and eligibility, submission instructions, timeline, prizes, forms and FAQs.

Please review all sections carefully before submitting student entries.

Contest Overview

December 1, 2026 - March 1, 2027: Students in grades K–8 are invited to design original alien characters that may become official Alien Ranking Cards inside Progress Learning. 20 new designs will be selected to replace the entire current set and will be and featured in the platform for the 2027-28 school year. Ranking order will be determined by Progress Learning staff.

Eligibility

Contest opens December 1, 2026.

  • Open to students in grades K–8 from any public or charter school in the US, or any Progress Learning customer school
  • Students may submit up to 2 entries each
  • No homeschool or individual submissions; a teacher or staff member submits on students’ behalf (art and specials teachers are welcome to submit)
  • Submissions may be completed in English or Spanish

What Students Must Include

Each entry must contain:

  • Original alien artwork
  • Alien name (if a winning entry's name is missing or illegible, Progress Learning may name it)
  • Optional short description (powers, personality, backstory, etc.)
  • Student first name and last initial, grade level, and school

Artwork may be:

Design Guidelines and Restrictions

All submissions must meet the following requirements:

  • An original alien design (no AI, no traced/borrowed art).
  • School-appropriate for K–8
  • No real people or realistic classmates/staff
  • No weapons, graphic violence, or gore
  • No nudity or sexualized content
  • No drugs, alcohol, smoking, or vaping
  • No hate symbols or discriminatory/bullying content
  • No self-harm or suicide themes
  • No political messages or campaign materials
  • No licensed/copyrighted characters (from movies, TV, games, books, etc.)No profanity, vulgar language, hate symbols, or inappropriate content.
  • Student names should not be visible on the front of the design.
    • If using the template, identifying information should go in the template's info block at the bottom, which will be cropped before voting.
    • If not using the template, identifying information should only appear on the back (for physical submissions) or within the file name (for digital submissions).

See Terms and Conditions for the complete list. By submitting entries, teachers confirm that all artwork complies with these guidelines.

Digital Submission Instructions

Submission Deadline: March 1, 2027

  1. Create one Google Drive folder per class, named School_Grade.
    Example: OakGroveElementary_6
  2. Name each file School_Grade_StudentFirstNameLastInitial.
    Example: OakGroveElementary_6_AaronR
  3. Include the completed cover sheet as one of the files.
  4. Share the folder with marketing@progresslearning.com (provide view access).

Physical Submission Instructions

Submission Deadline: March 1, 2027

  1. Mailing Address (Physical Entries)
    If submitting hand-drawn artwork by mail, send entries to:
    Progress Learning
    6595 Roswell Rd Ste G PMB 4018
    Atlanta, Georgia 30328
    You may include multiple entries in one envelope. Class sets are welcome!
  2. Labeling Requirements (Physical Entries)
    Identifying information should be written neatly in the designated spot on the student template, on the back of the artwork (if not using template), or attached securely. Student names should not appear on the front of the design. Each individual entry must be clearly labeled with:
    • Student first name and last initial
    • Grade level
    • School name
    • Teacher name
  3. Cover Sheet (Physical Entries)
    Please include this cover sheet in the envelope: Alien Ranking Card Contest Mailed Submissions Cover Sheet

Originals, Copies, and Returns

  • You may submit the original student artwork, or a high-quality copy if you prefer to keep the original.
  • Returns are free if requested on the cover sheet at submission.
  • Returns are shipped by May 21, 2027, or in August if preferred.
  • Artwork not requested for return is recycled after July 1, 2027.
  • Keeping copies is still recommended.

Important Dates

  • Tuesday, December 1, 2026: Contest launch
  • Monday, March 1, 2027: Submission deadline (postmarked or uploaded by 11:59 p.m. local)
  • March 25 to April 3, 2027: Staff voting
  • Week of April 8, 2027: Winning teachers notified
  • Tuesday, May 4, 2027: Winners announced publicly
  • By May 21, 2027: Prizes and requested returns shipped
  • 2027–28 school year: New Alien Ranking Cards go live
All digital folders and mailed submissions must be received or postmarked no later than Monday, March 1, 2027. 

Prizes

Up to 20 winning students will have their alien design featured in Progress Learning! Plus:

  • Each of the 20 winning students will receive:
    a custom t-shirt printed with their own alien design, plus a printed certificate featuring their alien
  • Every classroom with a winning design will receive:
    25 sticker sheets, all 20 new aliens
  • Every teacher with a winning student design:
    $50 classroom gift card, $100 maximum if the classroom has more than one winning design
  • Participating classrooms with no winning design:
    Entry into a drawing for one $100 classroom gift card
  • Every participating class:
    $100 drawing for participating classrooms with no winner and at least five entries

Prizes are non-transferable, no cash equivalent, and subject to school and district gift acceptance policies. Where a district prohibits staff acceptance of gift cards, we'll substitute classroom supplies of equal value shipped directly to the school.

Contest Documents (click to open/download)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can students submit more than one design?

Yes. Students may submit up to 2 entries each.

Can an entire class submit together?

Yes. Entire class submissions are welcome and may be submitted in one shared folder or one envelope.

Can students collaborate on a design?

Each entry should represent an individual student’s original work.

Can students use AI to generate artwork?

No. AI-generated artwork is not permitted.

Should artwork be on plain white paper?

Plain white paper is recommended for clarity and ease of reproduction, but it is not required.

Do submissions have to be in color?

No. Artwork may be in color or black and white.

What mediums can be used?

Students may use pencils, colored pencils, markers, crayons, paint, or digital tools. Please ensure the final submission is clear and legible.

Is there a required template?

No. Use of the official printable student template is strongly encouraged but not required. You may download the template here: Printable Student Template (English) | Printable Student Template (Spanish)

Are there size limits or requirements for artwork?

For physical submissions, standard letter size (8.5” x 11”) is recommended. For digital submissions, please ensure files are high resolution and clearly visible.

Is there a limitation on file types accepted?

Common file formats such as PDF, JPG, or PNG are recommended. Please ensure files can be opened without special software.

Can we submit copies instead of originals?

Yes. High-quality copies are acceptable.

Will mailed artwork be returned?

Yes, if requested.

When will winners be announced?

Winners will be announced via email and social media on Friday, May 4, 2027.

For additional questions, please contact marketing@progresslearning.com.

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