Report Challenge for Junior and Senior High School Students

We are looking for animal observation reports. Observe the animals kept at Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos and Aquariums, explore any mysteries or interesting phenomena you notice, and submit your findings in a research report.

Humboldt Penguin
subject

Junior and senior high school students. Individuals and groups are welcome.

Recruitment period

Applications are accepted from January to the end of December every year. Applications can be made at any time during this period.

Application Guidelines

Please use A4 paper for your report.
Please write it by hand or in a word processing application such as Microsoft Word.
Please write a report of at least 2,000 words. Papers less than 2,000 words will not be graded.
Please fill in the required information on the designated application form (pdf, approximately 170KB) and send it along with the application form.
application form
Please create your essay based on an observation you made at one or more of the following Tokyo Metropolitan Zoos and Aquariums (Ueno Zoo, Tama Zoo, Tokyo Sea Life Park, Inokashira Park Zoo).
Any content that does not involve direct observation of animals will not be evaluated.
The application guidelines can also be found below (pdf, approximately 130KB).
Application Guidelines

If you would like to know how to conduct observations and write reports, please see here.

Booklet "Zoo and Aquarium User's Guide for Junior and Senior High School Students" (pdf, approx. 10MB)
Booklet "A Guide to Using Zoos and Aquariums for Junior and Senior High School Students"
Video: "Apply for the Report Challenge!"
Video: "Apply for the Report Challenge!"

How to Apply

Please send the application form (pdf, approximately 170KB) and report to the following address (email is also acceptable).
The commemorative gift will be sent out approximately one month after your application is received.

application form

Shipping address

110-0007
9-83 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo (within Ueno Ueno Zoo
Tokyo Zoological Park Society Education and Outreach Center "Zoo and Aquarium Report Challenge" Secretariat
For email inquiries: edu-center@tzps.or.jp

Announcement of Results

A few reports that clearly document the applicants' own observations will be selected as the best works of the year in each of the "Junior High School Student Division" and "High School Student Division" (there may be no winners).
The winning works will be announced on the official website, Tokyo Zoo Net.
The winner or winning group will be presented with a certificate and a prize.
Award-winning works of 2025
2024 Award Winning Works
2023 Award Winning Works
2022 Award Winning Works
2021 Award Winning Works

Points to note

Reports will not be returned, so please make copies in advance if necessary.
The personal information you provide will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used for contacting you regarding this project, sending commemorative gifts, and recruitment information, and will not be used for any other purposes.
Copyright: The copyright of the report belongs to the applicant.
However, the reports may be used as PR materials for the Association and for educational outreach activities, and may also be used on websites, PR, and other media.

Consultation desk

If you have any questions regarding tips for observing living creatures or how to write reports, please contact us by email at edu-center@tzps.or.jp.
We also provide support for applications for school assignments. We welcome inquiries from teachers.
If you would prefer to speak to us over the phone, please provide us with your phone number and we will contact you.