2024 Science Without Borders® Challenge Finalists: 15-19 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 older group of applicants, students 15-19 years old:
"The Mystery of Basket Stars" by Heather Choi, Age 16, United States of America
Artist's Statement: When we are asked to think of a starfish, an image of a five-armed thick and spiky figure forms in our mind. But did you know that this starfish can have dozens of arms? This mysterious and almost alien-like starfish is called the basket star, that unveils a hidden world beyond our perception. What sets the basket star part is its distinctive appearance and remarkable behavior. Unlike traditional starfish, with five arms, the basket star has a mesmerizing array of long, slender, and highly flexible arms that radiate outwards from a central disc. These arms can extend to impressive lengths spanning up to half a meter and are adorned with intricate branching patterns resembling a delicate basket weave. In addition, the basket star is also known for its ability to thrive in extreme deep environments, often found at depths of several hundred to several thousand meters below the ocean surface.
