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Winners Announced for the 3rd Inclusive Educational Materials Contest

The results of the 3rd Inclusive Educational Materials Contest, co-hosted by the All-Japan School Teaching Materials Cooperative and Tsukuba University’s Otsuka School for Special Needs, have been finalized. This contest, themed "Creating Learning Materials for Everyone, Inspired by Children's Needs," aims to gather innovative ideas addressing challenges faced by children in educational settings, ultimately providing resources that facilitate inclusive learning for all.

This year, the contest received an impressive number of diverse and creatively crafted teaching materials, reflecting the passion and ingenuity of educators. A thorough and impartial judging process led to the selection of the best entries, including the Grand Prize, Excellence Awards, and Special Prizes. The committee plans to explore the commercialization of the winning materials while also broadly sharing information about all submitted entries.

The Grand Prize will be determined following a final presentation scheduled for February 21, where the awards will also be announced.

Background

In the realm of special needs education, teachers frequently create and utilize a wide range of teaching materials driven by their creativity. However, opportunities to share these exceptional resources beyond individual classrooms or schools remain limited. Various factors, including the busy schedules of educators and the lack of platforms for distribution, often hinder the sharing process.

With these challenges in mind, this contest was designed to foster an environment for "sharing," "evaluating," and "learning together," allowing educators to exchange their innovative materials and practices.

Contest Application and Judging Process

Application Period: August 1, 2025 - November 30, 2025
Application Categories:
1. Intellectual Disabilities
2. Developmental Disabilities
Target Classes:
- Preschool
- Elementary School
- Junior High School
- High School
Applicant Types:
- Educators
- General Public

Judging Categories:

• - for Educators:

1. Preschool
2. Elementary School (Intellectual Disabilities)
3. Elementary School (Developmental Disabilities)
4. Junior High School
5. High School

• - for Welfare/General:

6. Welfare/General

A total of 195 entries were received, and the awards are as follows:

• - Grand Prize (1 piece): 100,000 yen worth of materials from the "inCLum Inclusive Educational Materials Catalog" along with a certificate and trophy.
• - Excellence Awards (5 pieces): 30,000 yen worth of materials and a certificate.
• - Special Awards (5 pieces): 10,000 yen worth of materials and a certificate.
• - Audience Award (1 piece): A commemorative gift.

Winning Entries

Preschool Division:
Secret Tools for Childcare by Maya Suzuki
This innovative material visualizes communication to enhance the fun and understanding between educators and children.

Elementary Division (Intellectual Disabilities):
Inclusion Button by Yoko Akamatsu
This teaching tool is designed to help students understand the process of buttoning rather than merely practicing the action.

Elementary Division (Developmental Disabilities):
Calculation Support through Movement by Yoshiyo Yamashita
Three types of materials were created to aid the understanding of mathematical concepts using interactive techniques.

Junior High School Division:
Vision Training with Bottle Caps by Yoko Nishino
This training tool is designed to connect visual tracking with physical coordination in a fun way.

High School Division:
Scat Boccia by Isamu Ito
This adapted boccia game simplifies the rules and scoring, making it more approachable for students.

Through this contest, not only are unique educational tools recognized, but they are also shared with a broader audience, promoting inclusivity in education. The final awards ceremony will take place on February 27, 2025, at the Urayasu Brighton Hotel Tokyo Bay.

Conclusion

The Inclusive Educational Materials Contest serves as an inspiring platform showcasing the vital innovations educators implement to ensure learning is accessible to all students, regardless of their needs. The commitment of participants reflects a collective effort towards a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape.