Science Without Borders 2027: Plan the Artwork and Progress Photos

Before you pick up a brush, plan how you will document the work. Science Without Borders requires two photographs of you with your unfinished artwork, taken at different stages. A photograph of the finished piece alone cannot show that process.

This is a preparation guide. On November 11, the organizer's 2027 rules and entry form were accessible, but its website still carried conflicting closure messages. Current acceptance of completed entries is not verified; check with the organizer before relying on an open submission window.

Check who can enter

The official rules welcome primary and secondary students worldwide, including homeschool students. U.S. and Canadian students can therefore use the same international entry route. University and college students are not eligible.

The main age range is 11–19. The rules also allow a 10-year‑old who turns 11 by March 1, 2027, but the current form lists ages 11–19 only. Ask the organizer how that exception should be handled; do not enter a false age.

There is no entry fee. Materials and any required mailing are separate costs. Each student may submit one individual artwork; group entries are not allowed.

Make a work that fits the theme

The 2027 theme, Navigate with Care, concerns responsible navigation that protects people as well as marine life or ocean habitats. A general ocean picture does not necessarily address that navigation requirement.

Create an original, handmade two‑dimensional work using traditional media, such as paint, pencil or ink. Digitally created art and photographic artwork are excluded. Photographing or scanning a handmade piece for submission does not change the required medium.

AI‑generated and AI‑enhanced artwork are prohibited. Do not copy another person's work or submit art entered in a previous contest. The student must develop and make the artwork; this guide provides planning information, not an entry concept or artist statement.

Plan three image files before you start

Two progress photos plus one final image equals three image files. The 2027 contest rules distinguish an early sketch or outline from a later, still‑unfinished stage showing meaningful progress.

Both progress photos must clearly show your face and the artwork. The final image records the completed artwork. Progress photos verify authorship; only the final artwork is judged.

Plan the two progress photos while making the work. Send them privately through the organizer's required process with your guardian's help. HAEA does not collect student photos or entry materials.

The organizer says progress photos are not judged, publicly displayed or used for promotion. The current form limits each progress photo to 1 MB and specifies 3–10 MB for the final image; accepted formats include JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF and PDF.

Ask the right adults early

Every entrant needs a teacher sponsor's permission. Under the teacher responsibilities, that person can teach any subject at a school, after‑school program, tutoring program or art studio. A parent may sponsor a homeschooled student when acting as that student's teacher.

The teacher confirms school and age information and may advise, but the student creates the work. The form requires separate teacher and parent or guardian contact details, including for entrants aged 18 or 19. Get permission before supplying anyone's information to the organizer.

For children under 13, guardian consent comes first. At age 11, the current form starts with a consent request; the parent then receives instructions for the remaining entry process. Sending that request is not the same as submitting a completed entry.

Work back from the published cutoff

The published online deadline is March 1, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The rules do not offer an extension or accept entries by email.

Use the current submission form to recheck the available route and file requirements. The full entry asks for artwork details, an artist statement of no more than 150 words, the three images and the required certifications and signature.

The statement and artwork should explain the student's own choices. Review the complete entry before submitting: the form says changes and resubmissions are not allowed. This guide has not tested acceptance by sending a contest entry.

Decide whether the mailing and use terms work for you

Semifinalists must mail their original artwork to remain eligible to win, and those originals are not returned. Read the organizer's instructions when issued; do not assume that the online deadline is also a mailing deadline.

The rules also permit worldwide, indefinite promotional use of submitted artwork and its description. Review those terms with your guardian before entering, especially if you want to keep the original or limit future use.

HAEA preparation advice: ask a teacher to sponsor you, plan the two photo moments and confirm the current entry route. Then develop your own response to the navigation theme. These planning steps are advice, not additional contest requirements.