Winners of the 2021 Science Without Borders® Challenge

In 2021, the Science Without Borders® Challenge invited students to explore “The Magic of Mangroves.” This international student art contest focused on the vital role mangrove forests play in coastal ecosystems. Mangroves are extraordinary trees that thrive where land meets sea, protecting coastlines from storms, filtering water, storing carbon, and providing shelter for countless species both above and below the waterline.

Students from 63 countries participated in the competition, creating artwork that showcased the beauty and importance of mangroves. Their pieces highlighted how mangroves serve as nurseries for young fish, provide habitat for diverse wildlife, and help combat climate change by sequestering carbon. Using striking visuals and creative expression, students captured the wonder of these unique ecosystems and their benefits to both people and the planet.

Winning entries came from talented young artists in the United States, South Korea, and Slovakia. Their artwork not only celebrated the magic of mangroves but also inspired greater awareness of the need to protect these critical coastal forests. The contest illustrated how art can be a powerful tool for ocean conservation, engaging the next generation in the fight to preserve our natural world.

Winners & Finalists Ages 11-14:

First Place: "Shelter" by Dana Chung, Age 13, Connecticut, United States of America

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Artist's Statement: Mangrove forests are the barrier that protects locals from severe ocean waves and flooding, and also a shelter that protects sea animals. There are many various reasons that Mangrove trees are a valuable property for not just for humans, but also for the Earth. For this art piece, I depicted a safe, protective shelter that is for all aquatic animals.

Winners & Finalists Ages 15-19:

"Mangrove, Earth´s Tree of Life" by Ana Bastos, Age 17, Brazil

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Artist's Statement: The overall construction establishes a comparison with Yggdrasil, the tree of life in the Nordic Mythology, to show that the Mangrove has a similar role on Earth as the mythical tree on its universe: protection. While Yggdrasil holds nine worlds, the mangrove protects several species and nine are portrayed. Also, in the myth there were three characters and they are portrayed as the three boats. Two of them fight for a common cause, but they can´t seem to work together, they are always going in different directions or converging into arguments, basically causing problems instead of solving. The third is powerless because it was affected by these problems. The preservation of the mangroves and their magic, their potential to create, provide and protect life, will depend on the changes in the way that the boats interact with each other and survive the tormented sea that they created.