Announcing the Winners of the People’s Choice Award in the 2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge

May 1, 2024

Written by Liz Thompson

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the People’s Choice Award in the 2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge! Thousands of people responded to our call to vote for their favorite artwork in each age group, choosing art that best reflects this year’s theme, “Hidden Wonders of the Deep.” The votes have been counted, and it is with great pleasure that we reveal the talented artists who captured the hearts and imaginations of people from around the globe.

In the 11-14 age group, the People’s Choice Award goes to 14-year-old Isabelle Chapman, from Taiwan, for her jaw-dropping artwork titled “Secrets Under the Sea.” With over 750 votes, Isabelle’s artwork portrays a small boat sailing at night, with giant deep sea creatures lurking below. Through her artwork, Isabelle captures a variety of animals that have adapted to life in the deep sea. From giant teeth and big eyes to the glow of an anglerfish’s lure, animals have developed many unique characteristics to help them live in the deep dark abyss. Congratulations, Isabelle Chapman, for your remarkable talent and for using your artwork to help raise awareness about life in the deep sea!

**“Secrets Under the Sea” by Isabelle Chapman, Age 14, Taiwan**

Moving on to the 15-19 age group, we are delighted to crown Muhammad Faris Izzudin, Age 16, from Indonesia, as the People’s Choice Award winner. Archie’s artwork, titled “GALAXIAS – A Galaxy in the Sea,” received a staggering 3,100 votes. Muhammad’s artwork portrays the incredible diversity of marine organisms, encouraging viewers to dive deeper into the mysteries of the deep sea. The many deep-sea organisms he portrays on a black background resemble a galaxy. He says this illustration represents “a space filled with limitations, yet holding millions of wonders.” Congratulations, Muhammad Izzudin, for your thought-provoking artwork!

**“GALAXIAS – A Galaxy in the Sea” by Muhammad Faris Izzudin, Age 16, Indonesia**

As a token of appreciation for their extraordinary artistic abilities illustrating the beauty and wonder of life in the deep sea, Isabelle Chapman and Muhammad Faris Izzudin will each receive a $50 scholarship. These scholarships aim to support and encourage their artistic endeavors, helping them further explore their talents and make a positive impact on the world around them.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the talented young artists who participated in the 2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge. Your creative and thoughtful works of art continue to inspire us all. Each piece of artwork we received truly highlighted the need to conserve the deep sea. We plan to announce the official winners of the 2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge soon, which is judged separately from the People’s Choice award by a panel of experts according to a grading rubric.

Finally, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to everyone who took the time to vote for their favorite artwork. Your participation is instrumental in amplifying the voices of these talented young artists and raising awareness about the need for ocean conservation.

Stay tuned the announcement of the winners of the 2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge! To be the first to know, sign up to receive our newsletter below.

From Dialogue to Action: Ocean Foundations Gather in Stockholm

What can philanthropy accomplish when foundations working across ocean science, conservation, and sustainable development come together around a shared purpose?

That question was at the heart of the 6th UN Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue, held September 7–9 in Stockholm, Sweden. The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation joined philanthropic organizations from around the world for three days of discussion, collaboration, and planning focused on accelerating progress during the second half of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Facilitated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the UN Ocean Decade Foundations Dialogue is a growing network of more than 30 philanthropic organizations committed to advancing ocean science, collaboration, and action. Since its creation within the framework of the Ocean Decade, the Dialogue has provided foundations with a space to exchange ideas, develop partnerships, and explore how philanthropy can help advance a healthy and resilient ocean.

Hosted by the Voice of the Ocean Foundation (VOTO), this year’s gathering began with From Depth to Action, an Opening Forum that brought nearly 100 leaders from the Swedish and international ocean community together at…

Meet IFAN: Helping Bring Navigate with Care to the Next Generation

If you’ve ever seen a lighthouse flashing from the shore or a brightly colored buoy bobbing in the water, you’ve seen Aids to Navigation at work.

Aids to Navigation, often called AtoNs, help mariners navigate safely. They can mark channels, warn of hazards, help vessels determine their position, and provide other information people need to make safe decisions on the water. Around the world, these systems help guide everything from small recreational boats to large commercial or container ships.

But safe navigation isn’t only about protecting vessels and the people aboard them. The choices mariners make can also affect the animals and ecosystems beneath and around them.

That connection between maritime safety and ocean conservation is at the heart of this year’s Science Without Borders® Challenge—and of our partnership with this year’s theme sponsor, the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN).

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