2024 The Science Without Borders Challenge For Primary and Secondary School Students

The Science without Borders Challenge by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is a global art competition inspiring students to advocate for the preservation, protection, and restoration of the world’s oceans and aquatic resources.

The Science Without Borders Challenge is a global competition encouraging students and educators to contribute to ocean conservation through art. This yearly contest fosters creativity and raises public awareness about the importance of safeguarding the world’s oceans and aquatic resources, aligning with the objectives of the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. Open to students aged 11-19 in primary and secondary schools, the Challenge grants scholarships of up to $500 to the winning entries.

The Science without Borders Challenge was created to get students and teachers interested in ocean conservation through various forms of art. This annual contest inspires students to be creative while learning about important ocean conservation issues.

Eligibility: 

• The Science Without Borders Challenge is open to primary and secondary school students 11-19 years old.  Students must be enrolled in primary or secondary school, or the home school equivalent. College and university students are not eligible for this contest.

Work will be judged in two categories, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes awarded for each:

• 11 – 14 year-olds
• 15 – 19 year-olds

We encourage teacher submissions! Be sure each entry has the name of the artist and their age written in pencil on the back of it. If your student(s) are under the age of 13, make sure the COPPA form is completely filled out for each one. The artwork can be shipped in one package.

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Selection Criteria for 2024 The Science Without Borders Challenge 

• A panel of artists, educators, and scientists judge the Science Without Borders® Challenge. Artwork will be evaluated on the quality of the artwork, originality, and adherence to the theme. The judges will use a Grading Rubric to evaluate the artwork.

When creating your artwork, you should think about these questions:

• Does your artwork reflect that you understand the theme of the contest?
• Does your artist’s statement also show that you understand the contest theme?
• Does your piece show that you have a good understanding of art and that you use these art elements, such as line, shape, form, value, composition, and color, to effectively portray the theme?
• Is your artwork original, inventive, and shows off your individual style?
• Is your artwork neat? Are there tears, smudges, and/or smear marks?
• Does your artwork invoke emotion for your viewers? Is it striking and memorable?

Value of Contest: 

Winners of the Science Without Borders® Challenge will be publicly announced. Prizes awarded to contestant winners are as follows:

• 1st Place: $500
• 2nd Place: $350
• 3rd Place: $200

We also offer a “People’s Choice” award, where the winners in each age group will receive a $50 scholarship.