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)
"Luminous Primary Producers" by Shinyu Park, Age 17, Republic of Korea
ARTIST’S STATEMENT: Half of the Earth's oxygen comes not from forests, but from the ocean — produced by phytoplankton visible only under a microscope. Most people move through their lives without ever realizing this. This work proposes a visual shift in that perception. Placing green algae as a massive form at the center of a forest is a statement: the image we associate with oxygen and vitality should in fact be occupied by marine microorganisms. The algae glowing among the trees may appear out of place, but from the perspective of oxygen production, they belong at the very heart of the scene. The technique mirrors this idea. Wiping away paint used to build the background reveals the form of the microorganism — an act of making visible what has always been there but overlooked. The luminous surface quietly asserts that this small life form has been making the Earth's air all along.
Stay tuned! We will announce the winners in the next couple of weeks.
