The theme for 2021 is: The Magic of Mangroves.
The Science Without Borders Challenge is an international art contest open to primary and secondary school students 11-19 years old, with scholarships of up to $500 awarded to the winning entries.
This annual contest inspires students to be creative while learning about important ocean conservation issues. It was created to get students and teachers interested in ocean conservation through various forms of art.
More details about the theme for 2021 are available on the official website.
There are approximately 80 species of mangroves around the world. Mangroves are trees and shrubs that live along coastlines in subtropical and tropical areas. They thrive in muddy, salty environments, where there is very little oxygen in the sediments and the ocean tide can submerge their roots for all or part of the day. Living in these harsh conditions is not easy. The average plant wouldn’t stand a chance of surviving here. That’s what makes mangroves exceptional. They have unique, special adaptations that allows them to cope with living in this extreme environment. An effective filtration system aids in getting rid of excess salt, while roots that grow above the ground allow them to exchange gases. Not to mention, their complex root system helps to anchor them in place as the ocean tide rises and falls each day.
Winners of the Science without Borders Challenge will be publicly announced.
Prizes awarded to contestant winners are as follows:
- 1st Place: $500 scholarship
- 2nd Place: $350 scholarship
- 3rd Place: $200 scholarship
Submitted entries will be evaluated on the quality of the artwork, originality, and adherence to the theme.
The deadline for entry into this year’s Science without Borders Challenge is Monday, 1 March 2021, at 11:59 pm.
No Entry Fee!
It’s free to enter.