Last chance to apply to our student art competition, the Science Without Borders® Challenge!

One month left to apply to our student art competition

There is still time to participate in our international student art competition, the Science Without Borders® Challenge!

The Challenge is an annual art competition that engages students to promote the need to preserve, protect, and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources. The contest is free to enter and open to middle and high school students 11-19 years old. Be sure to submit your artwork by March 6 for a chance to win up to $500 in prizes!

This year the Science Without Borders® Challenge theme is “The Sixth Extinction.” Human actions have negatively impacted the environment in many ways, which have led to an increased rate of extinction and many more endangered species. For this year’s contest, we are asking students to create a piece of artwork that highlights the beauty and importance of a marine species that is on the brink of extinction.

The artwork will be judged in two categories: 11-14 year-olds and 15-19 year olds. In each category, the first place winners will receive a $500 scholarship, second place winners a $350 scholarship, and the third place winners a $200 scholarship. We also have $50 in prizes for winners of our “People’s Choice” award. We strongly encourage international students to apply and look forward to judging a large and diverse pool of entries this year.

This activity is a great way for teachers to include STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) in their classes. Although the contest requires students to apply individually, it is a great assignment to give to an entire class. We have provided educational resources for teachers to help teachers integrate this into art and science classrooms. We also have compiled information to help students learn about the theme and gain an understanding of a species’ risk of extinction. This includes information on how to look up species listed as endangered or critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

For more details, please visit our website at www.lof.org/SWBChallenge.

2025-2026 B.A.M. Student Voices

Throughout the Bahamas Awareness of Mangroves (B.A.M.) and Jamaica Awareness of Mangroves in Nature (J.A.M.I.N.) programs, we evaluate each phase of the mangrove education and restoration process to better understand how students are learning, growing, and connecting with their coastal environments.

Before the programs begin, students share what they already know about mangroves and how they feel about them. As the program progresses, we continue to gather feedback to see how their knowledge evolves from identifying mangrove species and understanding food webs to recognizing the role mangroves play in coastal protection and climate change mitigation.

But the surveys go beyond science content.

We also ask students…

Ten Years of B.A.M.: Rooted in Partnership, Growing in Purpose

Ten years ago, the Bahamas Awareness of Mangroves (B.A.M.) program began with a simple but meaningful commitment: to connect Bahamian students with the mangrove ecosystems that shape and protect their island home.

Since 2015, B.A.M. has been implemented in partnership with Friends of the Environment, whose dedication to environmental stewardship in Abaco has made this program possible year after year. Together, we have worked alongside Patrick J. Bethel High School and Forest Heights Academy to bring hands-on mangrove science into classrooms and out into the field.

What makes ten years remarkable is not just longevity — it is consistency…

One month left to apply to our student art competition

Learn more & apply

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2025-2026 B.A.M. Student Voices

Ten Years of B.A.M.: Rooted in Partnership, Growing in Purpose