The 2027 Science Without Borders® Challenge asks students to explore how responsible navigation can protect people, marine life, and ocean ecosystems.
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is now accepting entries for the 2027 Science Without Borders® Challenge, an international student art contest that inspires young people to learn about ocean science and conservation through art.
Now in its 15th year, the Challenge invites primary and secondary school students ages 11–19 from around the world to create original artwork based on an annual ocean science and conservation theme. This year’s theme, Navigate with Care, asks students to explore how the decisions people make on the water can improve maritime safety while protecting marine wildlife and fragile ocean ecosystems.
The Navigate with Care theme grew out of a joint campaign by the same name, developed by the Living Oceans Foundation and the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) to promote safe and environmentally responsible navigation. IFAN is generously sponsoring the theme of this year’s Science Without Borders® Challenge, helping bring the campaign’s message to students and classrooms around the world.
“When IFAN first launched the Navigate with Care campaign with the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, our aim was to strengthen the connection between safe navigation and the protection of the marine environment. Bringing that message to young people through the Science Without Borders® Challenge is a natural next step, helping a new generation understand that responsible navigation can protect people, marine life, and the ocean ecosystems on which communities depend,” said Francesca Pradelli, IFAN’s Development Manager.
Students are encouraged to create artwork that illustrates some of the many ways mariners can make safer, more responsible decisions on the water that protect both people and marine life. Their artwork might show ships slowing down around whales, boaters using mooring buoys instead of anchoring on coral reefs, mariners following Aids to Navigation (AtoNs), or vessels navigating carefully to avoid collisions and groundings that could harm people and sensitive marine habitats.
“Through the Science Without Borders® Challenge, we want students to understand that protecting the ocean is connected to the choices people make every day,” said Amy Heemsoth, COO and Director of Education at the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. “Navigate with Care gives young artists an opportunity to explore the science behind responsible navigation and then use their creativity to show how people and marine life can safely share the ocean. We hope their artwork will inspire others to think differently about the impact we can have on the water.”
The competition is free to enter and open to primary and secondary school students ages 11–19 worldwide. Entries are judged in two age groups, 11–14 and 15–19, with first, second, and third place scholarships of $500, $350, and $200 awarded in each category. Two additional $50 People’s Choice awards allow the public to help celebrate their favorite artwork.
Entries must be submitted by March 1, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Students, teachers, and families can learn more about this year’s theme, review the contest rules and grading rubric, and submit artwork at lof.org/SWBChallenge.
About Navigate with Care
Navigate with Care is a joint campaign by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation and the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation. Endorsed as an Activity of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the campaign promotes safe and environmentally responsible navigation practices that protect both people and marine life.
Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation:
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the health of the world’s oceans. Through science, outreach, and education, the Foundation works to conserve coral reefs and other tropical marine ecosystems, enhance ocean literacy, and inspire conservation action. As part of its commitment to Science Without Borders®, the Foundation provides educational resources and programs to empower people worldwide to protect our living oceans for future generations. Learn more at www.livingoceansfoundation.org.
The International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN)
The International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing maritime safety, protecting marine ecosystems, and strengthening global navigation capabilities. IFAN ensures safer and more efficient shipping routes while minimizing environmental risks by providing and maintaining Aids to Navigation (AtoNs), supporting regional operations, and delivering specialized training. Through strategic partnerships, funding, and technical expertise, IFAN plays a pivotal role in securing safe, sustainable global waterways and safeguarding the world’s oceans for future generations. To learn more or inquire about funding opportunities, visit www.ifanmaritime.org.uk.
UN Ocean Decade
Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (‘the Ocean Decade’) seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyze new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem. Learn more at www.oceandecade.org.
