search-icon
Hidden Wonders of the Deep

Winners of the 2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge

The 2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge invited young artists from around the world to dive into the ocean’s mysteries with the theme, “Hidden Wonders of the Deep.” This theme encouraged students to illustrate the amazing life found in the ocean’s least explored places—from glowing creatures that light up the dark to strange animals living in extreme conditions.

With over 1,700 entries from 82 countries, the competition attracted incredible talent and creativity. Students aged 11-19 brought the deep sea to life with bold colors, detailed artwork, and imaginative ideas that illustrated both the beauty and wonder of life in the deep sea.

The winning artwork stood out because it showcased the wonder of life in the deep sea in a powerful way. These pieces didn’t just look beautiful—they told stories of adventure, discovery, and the importance of protecting the amazing diversity of life in our oceans. We are proud to showcase the 2024 Challenge winners, whose art inspires us to look closer and appreciate the hidden wonders beneath the waves.

Winners & Finalists Ages 11-14:

First Place (11-14): "Wonders of the Twilight Zone" by Claire Kim, Age 12, Canada

Image 1 of 15

Artist's Statement: Under the deep sea where it is a dark world full of mysteries, there are weird creatures we have not seen. When we think of the deep dark parts of the ocean, the creatures that come to mind usually look unattractive, bizarre, or very unsettling. However deep down in the twilight zone, it is like various colours of fireworks. You can find life with vibrant pinks and blues like a whole new dimension with its own beauty and mysteries. Some even carry light and grace upon seeing them. When a light is lit in the twilight zone, we can see the many charmers who have been hiding in the dark. The deep sea is not all about the big, scary, ugly, or distorted looking creatures, it is about a magical world full of beauty and mesmerizing sights to behold.

Winners & Finalists Ages 15-19:

"The Mystery of Basket Stars" by Heather Choi, Age 16, United States of America

Image 15 of 15

Artist's Statement: When we are asked to think of a starfish, an image of a five-armed thick and spiky figure forms in our mind. But did you know that this starfish can have dozens of arms? This mysterious and almost alien-like starfish is called the basket star, that unveils a hidden world beyond our perception. What sets the basket star part is its distinctive appearance and remarkable behavior. Unlike traditional starfish, with five arms, the basket star has a mesmerizing array of long, slender, and highly flexible arms that radiate outwards from a central disc. These arms can extend to impressive lengths spanning up to half a meter and are adorned with intricate branching patterns resembling a delicate basket weave. In addition, the basket star is also known for its ability to thrive in extreme deep environments, often found at depths of several hundred to several thousand meters below the ocean surface.

Related Posts

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…

Read More

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).

Read More

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.  You can view our complete Privacy Policy here.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Most of our cookies are used to improve website security and reduce spam. These cookies should be enabled at all times. They also enable us to save your preferences for cookie settings.

3rd Party Cookies

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.