2020 Science Without Borders® Challenge: Middle School Finalists
Congratulations to the middle school finalists in our 2020 Science Without Borders® Challenge! This international student art competition aims to engage middle students in ocean conservation through art. This year we asked students to illustrate things people can do to help save coral reefs–and boy did they deliver!
"Disappearing Ocean" by Lindsey Ahn, Age 14, United States
The symbiotic relationship between coral and aquatic organisms should not be taken for granted; yet increasing amounts of reefs are deteriorating. Coral is a significant aspect of ocean life and helps make way for new, healthy organisms. These fragile ecosystems are constantly threatened by human controlled forces like pollution, careless fishing practices, and climate change with many already destroyed. I based my artwork off of endangered coral reefs to express how society is taking advantage of nature’s gifts. I painted in a variety of trash that typically pollute the oceans. Creating a white and gray checkered pattern on the trash, I attempted to resemble the pattern of an object deleted in Photoshop. In contrast to the transparency grids, I illustrated beautiful coral and oceanic creatures. The purpose of this piece is to raise awareness for magnificent coral reefs endangered due to human actions.