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)
"Microscopic Marine Life in the Dark" by Emma Li, Age 15, United States of America
ARTIST’S STATEMENT: My drawing illustrates the fundamental elements supporting many ecosystems of our planet, such as microscopic marine life. From the oxygen-producing phytoplankton that make over half of the Earth's oxygen and ancient archaea to zooplankton and crustaceans like krill, these microscopic organisms form the foundation of the marine food web and contribute greatly to humans as well. By cycling nutrients and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere, these microscopic organisms balance our climate and sustain all life above the waves. I used vibrant colored pencils contrasting against black paper to show their diversity and their habitat, which is the hadal zone.
Stay tuned! We will announce the winners in the next couple of weeks.
