The 2026 Science Without Borders® Challenge invited young artists from around the world to explore the hidden world of the ocean with the theme, “Microscopic Marine Life.” This year’s challenge encouraged students to create artwork inspired by the tiny marine organisms that sustain ocean ecosystems and make life on Earth possible.
We were thrilled by the incredible response to this year’s competition, which received nearly 900 entries from 65 countries. Through painting, drawing, and mixed media, students transformed invisible ocean life into vibrant visual stories that highlighted the essential role microorganisms play in marine food webs, nutrient cycling, oxygen production, and climate regulation. From phytoplankton drifting beneath sunlit waves to deep-sea microbes thriving around hydrothermal vents, students showcased both artistic creativity and scientific understanding in remarkable ways.
Although microscopic marine organisms are too small to be seen with the naked eye, their impact on the planet is enormous. These tiny organisms form the foundation of ocean ecosystems, help regulate Earth’s climate, recycle nutrients, and produce much of the oxygen we breathe. Through their artwork, students revealed the beauty, complexity, and importance of marine life that often goes unnoticed.
The winning artworks showcase a wide range of creative interpretations of microscopic marine life and the ecosystems they support. We are proud to present the winners and finalists of the 2026 Science Without Borders® Challenge, whose inspiring artwork reminds us that even the smallest organisms can have a tremendous impact on our ocean and our world.
Winners & Finalists Ages 11-14:
"Unseen Architects of the Ocean" by Mulan Chai, Age 13, New Zealand
ARTIST’S STATEMENT: This artwork explores the microscopic yet vital world of marine life, invisible to the naked eye. The walls of a research lab are covered with observational sketches of phytoplankton, diatoms, radiolarians, and zooplankton, forming the basis of the marine food web. Despite being invisible to the naked eye, phytoplankton produce most of the Earth's oxygen and convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, sustaining marine ecosystems and supporting life globally. The layers of fragmented paper symbolize both scientific discovery and the fact that these vital organisms are often overlooked. The gradually evolving hair of a figure resembles seaweed, representing the deep and inseparable connection between humanity and the ocean. By highlighting these microscopic organisms, the work emphasizes that protecting even the smallest marine life ultimately protects the balance and future of our entire planet.
Winners & Finalists Ages 15-19:
FIRST PLACE: "Ocean’s Hidden Jewel Box" by Jiye Lee, Age 17, United States of America
ARTIST’S STATEMENT: Magnified, marine life looks like gemstones. In addition to their beauty, these jewels are valuable for their roles, which include producing over half of Earth’s oxygen, regulating carbon cycles, and sinking as “marine snow” that feeds deep-ocean creatures from bacteria to whales. To reinforce their importance, my canvas formation mimics an oxygen molecule—two circular panels connected by a rectangular insert—mirroring the gas that these organisms help generate. While diatoms and crystal-like Acantharia exist at a scale we cannot directly see, they are the spine of our Earth’s environmental balance. My piece celebrates these inconspicuous beings by illustrating their jewel-like forms in reflective detail, reminding us that these life forms do more than just dazzle; the health of our planet depends on organisms we never see, sustaining all life from the bottom up.
