The response to our Science Without Borders® Challenge has been overwhelming! We’ve been blown away by the sheer number of submissions that we received from aspiring young scientists and artists all over the world. Last week, we proudly unveiled the finalists in the 11-14 age group, and now, we’re ecstatic to announce the finalists in the 15-19 year-old category.
These young artists hail from all corners of the globe, including China, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. You will be amazed at their incredible artwork and how well they captured the essence of the theme, “The Sixth Extinction.” Students depicted a diverse range of endangered marine animals in their artwork including whales, fish, polar bears, sharks, sea otters, horseshoe crabs, seals, and crocodiles. We were amazed by these students’ boundless creativity, execution of the theme, and artistic abilities.
Without further ado, please meet our talented 15-19 year old finalists! These exceptional artists have not only showcased their incredible talents but also their unwavering passion for marine conservation.
"Keystone of the Deep" by Xinyan Meng, Age 17, China
ARTIST’S STATEMENT: This artwork expresses the magnificence of blue whale and its vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem. The city supported by the blue whale represents the contribution of blue whales to the water ecosystem by providing food for microorganisms and plankton, thereby ensuring a healthy food chain. Blue whale's ability to transport carbon dioxide to the seabed after death and prevent buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is depicted through the clear and azure environment surrounding the underwater city. Divers casting a seine on the blue whale from beneath symbolize continued illegal whaling, vessel strikes, and entanglement in fishing gear’s negative impact on the blue whale population, which caused the city to incline. The collapsing and submerging houses and tempestuous waves surrounding the ramshackle city implies the subsequent detrimental impact on the ocean ecosystem, conveying need for strengthened preservation acts to maintain the beautiful whale-supported ecosystem.
