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)
"And So, We Breathe" by Yoonjae Park, Age 18, Republic of Korea
ARTIST’S STATEMENT: The ocean exhales, and we inhale. And so, together, we breathe. "And So, We Breathe" reveals the truth that microscopic marine algae, despite being invisible to the naked eye, are the foundation of all life. They are the lungs of nature, generating oxygen to keep the planet habitable. In this artwork, a pair of metaphoric lungs is depicted under the ocean. The left lung, filled with a stable phytoplankton community, thrives with vitality; the bright, vibrant purple and electric turquoise colors indicate how phytoplankton fuel beautiful life into the world. The dying lung to the right, however, does not include phytoplankton, resulting in cracked shells and faded dark colors. Through a depiction of contrast, this artwork emphasizes the gift of life that microorganisms bring to Earth. Micro-organisms may seem insignificant, but their absence will cause atmospheric carbon to increase and the world to suffocate. The ocean breathes us alive.
Stay tuned! We will announce the winners in the next couple of weeks.
