UTSA unveils Fall 2025 creative challenge with cosmic partner
May 13, 2025 – This fall, UTSA will invite students on a new kind of journey—one that reaches beyond the stars and deep into the creative process. In partnership with a world-renowned organization soon to be revealed, the university is preparing to launch a cross-disciplinary challenge designed to showcase innovation, storytelling and student talent across fields.
The initiative, envisioned by members of the UTSA College of Sciences and Academic Innovation teams, will encourage students to use digital tools to imagine and communicate the future of exploration, discovery and careers that defy the expected.
“We want students to realize that careers in organizations with a scientific mission aren’t limited to astronauts or engineers,” said Chris Packham, professor of astrophysics and co-lead of the GATOS research team that is using the James Webb Space Telescope to probe distant supermassive black holes. “There’s a place for creative thinkers, storytellers, analysts and artists in the mission of space exploration.”
“If you can imagine the future, you can help build it,” he added.
Packham is one of several faculty and staff who have helped bring this ambitious project to life. He emphasizes that today’s students will shape not only the science of tomorrow, but also how society understands and interacts with that science.
“Digital fluency is no longer optional, it’s essential,” said Willie Schaefer, a UTSA Adobe specialist on the Academic Innovation team. “This challenge will give students hands-on experience in using the same tools that are shaping industries today and show them that creativity and scientific thinking don’t live in separate silos, they’re on the same launchpad.”
Schaefer has been instrumental in supporting faculty and students in using creative tools like Adobe Express and Premiere Pro to elevate their academic and professional work. Together, Packham and Schaefer have collaborated on several projects that combine curricula and dynamic academic tools, including the Planet UTSA podcast, projects around the James Webb Space Telescope and innovating teaching and learning with generative AI and Adobe tools.
“...creativity and scientific thinking don’t live in separate silos, they’re on the same launchpad.”
Willie Schaefer, UTSA Adobe Specialist
The challenge will officially launch after the start of the Fall 2025 semester and will culminate in a special showcase in December. The winning team will receive an award and be invited for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the partner organization’s cutting-edge facilities.
While full details of the challenge and the identity of the partner organization will be announced soon, students and faculty are encouraged to follow Academic Innovation on social media now to stay updated. From tutorials and sneak peeks to behind-the-scenes content and announcements, Academic Innovation’s channels will provide updates related to the challenge.
Follow now and don’t miss the countdown:
- LinkedIn: UTSA Academic Innovation
- YouTube: Academic Innovation YouTube Channel
- Instagram: @utsa_academicinnovation
