The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) invites all Filipino high school students to join the 2026 Patalasan sa #YamangKalawakan: The Full Anechoic Chamber Experiment Challenge! 

This nationwide competition calls on teams of 2-5 students to design an original experiment to be carried out at the Full Anechoic Chamber (FAC) at the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (EEEI) of University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, one of the specialized space science facilities in the country. The experiment must be relevant to space science, satellite engineering, and other space technology applications. 

Online Mission Briefing sessions will be held from 08 – 14 August 2026, during Philippine Space Week. These sessions will consist of lectures on the basics of the FAC and guide the participants on the creation of their proposals. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/RegistrationFACMissionBriefing    

Create your experiment proposal and submit your Patalasan sa #YamangKalawalan: The Full Anechoic Chamber Experiment Challenge entry on or before 27 September 2026, 11:59PM PhST here: https://bit.ly/FACExptChallenge 

Mechanics and Guidelines 

1. The competition is open to all Filipino high school students currently enrolled in an educational institution in the Philippines. There are two categories: 
   1. Junior High School (Grades 7–10)  
   2. Senior High School (Grades 11–12)
2. Participants must form a team consisting of two (2) to five (5) students and one (1) teacher-coach. Team members may come from the same school or from different schools. For multi-school teams, the teacher-coach must belong to the same school as the designated Team Leader.Officials and employees of PhilSA, and their relatives up to the second degree of affinity or consanguinity, are not eligible to join the contest. For any changes in team composition during the competition, team leaders must notify PhilSA. Substitution or replacement of any team members is subject to PhilSA approval.
3. There is no limit to the number of proposals each team can submit. However, each proposal must be submitted separately.
4. Proposals must follow the prescribed template accessible at https://bit.ly/FACSubmissionForm 
   
5. Specialized materials must be identified in the proposal and are subject to safety, availability, and facility compatibility review. PhilSA shall provide the materials and consumables required for the conduct of the winning experiment proposal.
6. Proposed experiments must not introduce hazards, contamination risks, or activities that can damage the facility or obstruct safe movement. PhilSA and UP reserve the right to substitute or restrict any material based on safety and facility rules. Listed below are prohibited items or activities: 
   1. Dangerous materials (flammable, corrosive, or toxic). 
   2. Scattering of tiny objects (powders, confetti, small loose parts) that can contaminate the chamber or instrumentation. 
   3. Fragile objects (e.g., glass) and sharp-edged materials. 
   4. Large-mass, high-speed spinning objects.Proposed experiments involving prohibited or hazardous materials or activities that will compromise the safety and integrity of the FAC shall be disqualified.
7. If the proposed experiment requires a radiofrequency emitting device, specify the required frequency, power levels, bands and other relevant specifications of the RF-emitting device. Check the full specifications of the FAC for compatibility here – https://stamina4space.philsa.gov.ph/facility-fac/index.html
8. Generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude) may be used only as supplementary aids for improving clarity or formatting of the proposed experiment. Core scientific ideas, design, analysis, and conclusions must be the team’s original work. All AI use must be disclosed in the AI Declaration Form, signed by the Team Leader and teacher-coach.
9. The use of AI to generate experiment concepts and procedures, write substantial technical content, or fabricate data is strictly prohibited and is a ground for disqualification of the contest entry.
10. To submit an entry to the competition, teams must complete the FAC Experiment Challenge Submission form accessible at https://bit.ly/FACSubmissionForm along with the following supporting documents: 
    1. Certificate of Endorsement to be signed by School Head. For multi-school teams, each student shall obtain endorsement from the School Head of their respective school. 
    2. Certificate of Undertaking 
    3. AI-Assisted Declaration Form, if applicable 
    4. Copy of student’s school ID (front and back) 
    5. Copy of teacher-coach ID (front and back)
11. Entry submissions are accepted through any of the following channels: 
    1. Online — The team leader or representative completes the online form and upload documents through: https://bit.ly/FACExptChallenge 
    2. By email — The team leader or representative sends to sesd@philsa.gov.ph the complete submission package with subject “[School Name] – The Full Anechoic Chamber Experiment Challenge Submission.” 
    3. By courier —The team leader or representative sends the complete submission package to:
       Name: Neil Juvert Valentino
       Address: Philippine Space Agency, 29th Floor Cyber One Bldg., 11 Eastwood Ave., Bagumbayan, Quezon City
       Contact number: +639205614970
12. The deadline for submission is 27 September 2026, 11:59 PM. Only entries with complete documents will be evaluated. Late submissions are not accepted.
13. All submitted works remain the property of their respective owners but may be used by PhilSA in publications, websites, social media, educational materials, and other informational content exclusively for the promotion of space education. 

Judging Criteria: 

Prizes 

First place winners for each category shall receive the following: 

• All-expenses paid study tour at PhilSA where they will conduct their proposed experiment under scientific supervision. 

• Php 50,000.00 cash prize 

Please note that PhilSA will only cover travel expenses for the registered student members and teacher-coach of the winning team. Any accompanying parent, guardian, or school official shall shoulder their own travel and other related expenses. 

Important Dates 

Mission Briefing Series schedule 

After successful registration and enrollment, participants can access the learning platform of the Mission Briefing Series through https://learning.philsa.gov.ph  

For inquiries, please contact the Space Education and Scholarships Division through email sesd@philsa.gov.ph