Following the announcement of our 11–14 age-group finalists, the Science Without Borders® Challenge continues with the 15–19 age group. Each year, the Challenge invites students to explore the ocean through both art and science—and this year’s finalists have done just that in remarkable ways.
Representing countries across the globe, including Canada, China, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and the United States, these talented young artists dive into the 2026 theme, “Microscopic Marine Life,” revealing a world that is rarely seen but deeply felt. Their artworks illuminate the hidden systems that sustain our planet, from oxygen-producing phytoplankton to deep-sea microbes driving chemical cycles far below the surface.
Through a range of creative approaches, these students transform the invisible into something tangible. Some reimagine microorganisms as vast, architectural forms or glowing ecosystems, while others focus on the delicate structures and life cycles of individual species. Many works explore powerful ideas of connection—between life and death, surface and deep sea, and humanity’s reliance on organisms too small to see.
What stands out most is not just the technical skill on display but the depth of understanding behind each piece. These artists highlight how microscopic marine life forms the foundation of ocean ecosystems, regulates Earth’s climate, and ultimately makes life as we know it possible.
We’re proud to celebrate this group of finalists, whose work challenges us to look more closely, think more deeply, and better appreciate the unseen forces shaping our world.
2026 Science Without Borders® Challenge Finalists (Ages 15-19)
"Delicate Frameworks in Time" by Sophia Miao, Age 17, United States of America
ARTIST’S STATEMENT: My piece captures the lifespan of radiolarians, planktonic protists who use their needle-like eukaryotic membranes. I use complex linework to mirror their delicate anatomy. Though radiolarians are known for their role in the food web as microscopic consumers, I was most captivated by their silica skeletons, which gradually harden into a glasslike framework. My composition tracks this progression: the top shows the living organism, the middle features a cut open radiolarian to suggest transition, and the bottom depicts their layered skeletons. After their brief lifespan of one to two months, the hardened skeleton sinks to the ocean floor. I capture this accumulation in my background to materialize the passage of time. Gradually, this radiolarian “ooze” forms colorful streaks that record geological history and contribute to long-term carbon cycling. I’m inspired by how radiolarians embody both function and beauty, showing how even the smallest organisms leave lasting imprints on Earth.
Stay tuned! We will announce the winners in the next couple of weeks.
