2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge Finalists: 11-14 year old students
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is delighted to announce the finalists in our 2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge! This international contest engages students in important ocean issues through art. This year we asked students to create a piece of art that highlights the beauty and wonder of life in the deep sea.
We received a record number of submissions this year—over 1,700 entries from 82 different countries—making the selection process challenging yet rewarding. The submissions were breathtaking. Prepare to be amazed by their artwork, which showcases deep-sea creatures and ecosystems and emphasizes the urgent need to preserve the deep sea.
Entries to the Science Without Borders® Challenge are judged in two categories based on age. Here are the finalists selected from the younger group of applicants, students 11-14 years old:
"Descent Into Undiscovered Beauty" by Esther Wan, Age 14, United States of America
Artist's Statement: In my acrylic painting, a girl seemingly descends into the depths of the ocean, surrounded by a myriad of deep-sea creatures ranging from mesopelagic to hadalpelagic zone swimming up to her. While the dark and foreboding reputation of the deep sea is well-known as hauntingly dark, cold, and full of mysterious creatures, my portrayal challenges this perception .I aim to convey the idea that beneath the surface lies a realm of unexpected beauty and a unique allure of the many fascinating lifeforms.
