Each year the NOAA Marine Debris Program invites students from across the country to participate in our "Keep the Sea Free of Debris!" art contest. Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade are encouraged to submit art that shows us how marine debris affects our oceans and a short essay on what they are doing about it in their communities.
Winners from our 2010 and 2011 contests are featured below. Be sure to take a peek at our 2012 winners!
2011 Art Contest and 2012 Calendar
Overall winner: Leilani H., 8th grade, Hawai'i
"[Marine debris] impacts me because it makes the ocean look ugly and dirty. With the trash in the water it can hurt the reef and the animals with it. Every time I see trash in the ocean I pick it up and throw it away. I also get my friends and family to help pick up the trash and make sure our beaches are clean. If people help clean our oceans we will have cleaner beaches."
Download a copy of the 2012 calendar featuring all of the winning artwork from the 2011 art contest. (
PDF, 11.3MB)
2010 Art Contest and 2011 Calendar
Overall winner: Ektaa T., 6th grade, CA
"Marine debris impacts me because I care for the organisms which live in this environment. Now, I'm recycling and asking other kids at my school to do it too and the bottles, cans, and paper are being reused instead of being dumped in the ocean."
Download a copy of the 2011 calendar featuring all of the winning artwork from the 2010 art contest. ( PDF, 2.4MB)
2012 Art Contest Winners | Rules and Instructions
