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)
"Pulse of the Micro-Tide" by Suhjin Chey, Age 17, Republic of Korea
ARTIST’S STATEMENT: More than half of Earth’s oxygen is produced by marine microorganisms. Zooplankton, though transparent and microscopic, contain complete internal systems and sustain independent life. They consume phytoplankton and are in turn consumed by larger organisms, functioning as key intermediaries in marine energy transfer. This work begins from the idea that the smallest beings support the largest systems. The organisms are constructed through pointillism. Individual dots cannot form a shape alone, but thousands together create a living form, reflecting how cells combine to build life. Each dot represents both a biological cell and organic particles drifting in the ocean. Dots scattered across the background symbolize bacterial colonies forming a microscopic network of energy exchange. The work highlights how even slight disruptions in this delicate system can affect the broader marine ecosystem.
Stay tuned! We will announce the winners in the next couple of weeks.
