Featured Art: Second place in the 15–19 category was awarded to Qing Yang Cheng, age 17, from Canada, for The Deep Microcosm of Life, a detailed portrayal of hydrothermal vent archaea and the deep-sea ecosystems they support through chemosynthesis
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation has announced the winners of the 2026 Science Without Borders® Challenge, an international student art competition that explores ocean science through creativity
This year’s theme, Microscopic Marine Life, invited students aged 11–19 from 65 countries to illustrate the vital role of microscopic organisms in sustaining life on Earth. Nearly 900 submissions showcased how these unseen organisms produce oxygen, support marine food webs, recycle nutrients, and help regulate the climate.
Winners were selected in two age categories (11–14 and 15–19) for their ability to combine scientific understanding with artistic expression.
Highlights include a mixed-media work depicting oxygen-producing plankton as glowing forms, a detailed portrayal of deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems, and creative interpretations of ocean recycling through decomposition and nutrient cycling.
Each winning entry reflects the essential but often invisible role of microscopic marine life in sustaining ocean health and global ecosystems. Winners receive scholarships of up to $500.
Now in its 14th year, the Science Without Borders® Challenge continues to engage students worldwide in ocean conservation, encouraging the next generation of ocean advocates through art.
