tell the world how
nasa earth science in action
protects our planet

ThIS contest is Closed. check out our gallery 
See ALL the contest winners at NASA earth's applied sciences website.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES WITH SCIART EXCHANGE!

High School Students and Adults are eligible to participate.

Scientists, artists and astronauts will judge the artwork, and our esteemed Finals Judges will select the winners! 
​
Winning art will receive great visibility as NASA and SciArt Exchange share it via digital communication and in-person displays that inspire and educate everyone about the impact NASA's science in action has here on Earth. Winners will also receive a personalized trophy and certificate. 

Due to demand from educators, entries are now due online August 31, 2022. An official announcement of the extension is upcoming.

Spread the word to your community by printing this flyer or sharing our social media promotions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! There is also a spanish version of the flyer available and a video explaining the contest and how to enter in spanish.

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Tell one of these stories

Use your comic strip artwork to tell one of these three success stories:
- Palau fish stocks in danger - satellite data to the rescue!
- ​Satellite data and savvy scientists save civilians from worsening wildfire hazards! 
​- ​Citizens of Thailand avoid harmful air with 'quality' satellite data! 

Visit our Get Inspired section for more information and resources to inspire your comic!

Watch our launch webinar:

If you missed our launch webinar, don't worry!
A recording of the event featuring three of the NASA scientists and one of our fabulous comic artist finals judges to answer your questions about adapting these stories into comic artwork is available.

Have a question about the stories? Visit our FAQs below or send us your question via email!

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our amazing finals Judges 

Read the guidelines to be sure you will score well!

Illustration by Kris Pearn

Nicole Stott
Astronaut Artist

In awe of what she experienced from the heights of outer space to the depths of our oceans, Nicole has dedicated her life to sharing the beauty of space ~ and Earth ~ with others.  She believes that sharing these orbital and inner space perspectives have the power to increase everyone’s appreciation of and obligation to care for our home planet and each other. Learn about Nicole at: www.npsdiscovery.com

Illustration by Ripley Entmt

Kristin Laidre
​Scientist

Dr. Kristin Laidre is a Principal Scientist at the Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington. She is an Associate Professor at the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Kristin’s research is focused on broad questions about climate change impacts on Arctic marine mammals. She was named a Pew Marine Conservation fellow in 2017. 

Illustration by Nathan Fox

Nathan Fox
comic artist

Nathan Fox is an award-winning editorial illustrator and founder and Chair of the MFA Visual Narrative program and co-founder of the RisoLAB at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. Nathan is co-creator and artist on the sci-fi thriller comic book series The Weatherman (@WM_Comic). Nathan’s sequential work has been published by Marvel, DC, Vertigo, Heavy Metal Magazine, Image comics, and Scholastic Graphix among others. You can find him on Twitter & Instagram @nathanfoxy​​.

Illustration by Deanna Johnson

Lawrence friedl
Scientist

Lawrence Friedl is the Director of the NASA Earth Science Division’s Applied Sciences Program. The Program aims to discover and demonstrate innovative and practical applications of Earth science. Prior to joining NASA, Lawrence worked at the US Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on geospatial applications, and served as a Space Shuttle Flight Controller. Lawrence has a Master's degree in Public Policy from Harvard and a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering from Princeton. 

Illustration by Jim Toomey

Jim Toomey
Engineer artist

While working as an engineer, Jim began developing a comic strip in his spare time. The main character of his well-known Sherman's Lagoon comic, Sherman the Shark, is more than just a comic hero; he's an ocean champion, introducing people everywhere to our underwater world, and educating readers on the important challenges facing our ocean today. Currently, Jim works to make science and environmental issues understandable in short, entertaining and visually rich videos. More at: www.jimtoomey.com​

Illustration by Mostafa Moussa

Mostafa MoussA
comic artist

Mostafa Moussa is a 20+ year veteran of the comic book industry. Over his career he has worked for Marvel, DC, Image, Hasbro, IDW, and many other publishers. He recently had the opportunity to work on Batman, Superman and Flash for DC, and special projects for Marvel and Loot Crate. He resides in Houston, TX and is a HUGE fan of NASA. Check out more of his work at: www.MostafaINK.net​

Illustration by Hyesu Lee

HYesu lee
comic artist

Hyesu Lee (it's pronounced like "Heysu") is a Brooklyn, NY, based illustrator, artist, muralist, and educator who is driven by a curiosity about how people connect. She was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea.​ Check out her work at www.heyheysu.com and @​heyheysu on Instagram.

Illustration by Geneva Bowers

Geneva Bowers
comic artist

​Geneva Bowers occasionally works in other mediums, but most of her work is created digitally. She loves manipulating color and adding whimsy with a touch of realism and calm within her works. The inspiration for her work comes in many forms, but much is drawn from the wonders of nature!" Learn more about Geneva at: 
www.gdbee.art and @gdbee on Instagram.

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How do I participate?

Follow the steps below to participate in the contest!

- First, Get Inspired to create your comic with one of three NASA success stories.
- Second, read the guidelines and create your comic.
- Last, Prepare your artwork for submission to the online entry form. 

Get Inspired to Create a Comic

Learn more about each story using the information and resources below!

Remember: Your comic MUST show the problem faced by community members; the NASA data, tool or solution; and the impact of the tool or solution on the local community

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Watch our launch webinar!

If you missed our launch webinar, don't worry!
A recording of the event featuring three of the NASA scientists and one of our fabulous comic artist finals judges to answer your questions about adapting these stories into comic artwork is available.

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GOES-16 Satellite Stalks Smoke

In the News: Smoke Signals from Satellites
​Key Elements to include in your artwork:

• Problem - Summers are getting drier and wildfire seasons are getting worse and worse, making it more important than ever for first responders to be able to detect, track and predict smoke outlooks from wildfires. 
• NASA Resources- The NASA Applied Sciences Program’s Health & Air Quality program uses the geostationary (GOES-16) satellites and the GOFAST tool alongside the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor onboard NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites. Together they refine, constrain and fill in spatiotemporal gaps.
• Solution - A new tool that incorporates near real-time fire detection data from satellites to create hourly estimates of emissions to allow first responders and scientists to better track smoke from fires and inform the public as it billows into surrounding communities.

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Air Quality Explorer
​Alerts Citizens

In the News: Thailand Brings NASA Air Quality Data Down to Earth 
Key Elements to include in artwork: 

• Problem - Air pollution is a serious problem around the world, and especially so in Thailand and the lower-Mekong River region of southeast Asia. Air pollution impacts human health and the climate. Monitoring and forecasting air pollution is important for finding solutions to curb pollution and mitigate its impacts.
• NASA Resource - The Air Quality Explorer tool is developed in part by the NASA Applied Sciences Program’s Capacity Building program area, and this new app combines NASA satellite data, model outputs, ground sensor data, and a machine learning algorithm to enable large-scale monitoring and forecasting of air quality for the first time in Thailand. NASA scientists worked together with local community members to help develop their skills and tools to recognize and respond to air pollution emergencies.
• Solution - The SERVIR-Mekong hub improved air pollution monitoring and forecasting in the region by creating the Air Quality Explorer tool so people can check air quality and make informed decisions for their health. 

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Aquaculture Future Sustained with NASA Data Maps 

In the News: NASA Satellites Help Plan Future for Palau Fish Stocks
Key Elements to include in artwork: 

• Problem - The number of fish in the archipelago nation of Palau were dwindling - reef fisheries were expected to decline by up to 25% by 2050 due to climate change. Since the people of Palau are reliant on fishing, this put a strain on the local food supply and economy.
• NASA Resources - Multiple resources were used: the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor onboard NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites, Multi-scale Ultra-high Resolution (MUR) sea surface temperature analysis, and data from Landsat 8, a joint mission between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey.
• Solution - The local government, fishermen and community teamed up with The Nature Conservancy and used NASA data to produce interactive mapping tools Palauans now use to identify ideal areas for sustainable aquaculture to increase the local seafood supply while preserving the ecosystem.

Read the Guidelines

BEFORE you start working on your comic, check out our Contest Guidelines to make sure you are following the rules of the contest and will score well during the judging! Make your hand-drawn or digital comic and then be sure you have a digital image that follows the rules for submission.

Then, follow our step-by-step guide on How to Enter the contest to enter your artwork!

For any questions, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. If your question isn't answered there, email it to [email protected].

Themes

​Artwork should address the theme(s) of one of the three stories:
- NASA Satellites Help Plan Future for Palau Fish Stocks
- Thailand Brings NASA Air Quality Data Down to Earth 
- Smoke Signals from Satellites

For more information, visit the Get Inspired section for additional resources to inspire your comic.

Entry Deadline

Forms, agreements, and artwork must be received via the online portal by 23:59 US Central Standard Time, August 31, 2022.

Eligibility

Art by youth (14-18 year-olds) and adults (18+ years old) will be judged separately.
Anyone born BEFORE July 2, 2003 must submit to the contest as an adult.
Younger children can also submit, but they will competing against 14-18 year old artists.
​ 
Members of the art competition judging panel, employees and members of the Board of Directors of SciArt Exchange, employees of the NASA Applied Sciences Government Challenge Team and/or scientists and end users identified in the 3 stories and their immediate families are ineligible to submit an entry.  If you have questions, please contact us at: [email protected]

Artwork Guidelines

The art should be "graphic novel or comic strip format" (also known as sequential art.)

The art story must be on a SINGLE (one) portrait page. It may be one or more frames (multiple frames) and the sizes of those frames may be the same or may differ.

Art can be created via hand drawing/painting or digital media. Art is submitted digitally as either .jpg, .png or pdf files, with 25 Mb maximum file size. Please submit a high resolution and quality digital image (a photo if hand drawn) that can be printed multiple sizes for display. 150-300 dpi is recommended if possible. A good size would be 18x24 inches or 5400x7200 pixels at 300 dpi is recommended. Artwork text should be in English.

​Include information about the size of your original artwork and the media that you used to create it in your Artist’s Statement of Originality. (See “How to Enter” tab).

Artists are permitted to submit more than one different entry.

Judging Criteria

Artwork MUST be original.
Artwork will be scored/evaluated based on the following elements of artistic expression and scientific reality. Each element is worth 25 points, for a maximum score of 100:

1. Aesthetics and Skill: How are Shapes, colors, textures, flow, proportions, composition, etc. used? Are knowledge of the media or principles of art demonstrated?  
2. Creativity: Is the artwork creative and original?
3. Scientific Accuracy: Is the story conveyed accurately in the artwork? Are the key elements of the story (problem, NASA resource, solution) included and told effectively?
4. Fulfilled Intent: Does it educate well and inspire someone to learn more? 

Disqualifications

Artwork can be disqualified for:
1) Failure to relay the problem, action and impact of the story theme.
2) Lack of originality by falsification of any information on the forms, plagiarism, or use of copyrighted material without permission or documentation of effort to obtain permission. 
3) Use of profanity, nudity not representing the human body in a positive way, substance abuse, or violent images.

Teachers or others submitting for an artist

A teacher or other person may submit on behalf of an artist or artists and be the main point of contact for the artwork, but he/she must still obtain an agreement signed by a parent or guardian for each minor aged artist. 
All entries are uploaded individually, NOT via batch uploading. Please allow sufficient time to upload multiple entries.

Awards

Winners will receive visibility:

1. Social media posts from SciArt Exchange and NASA Earth Sciences.
2. Ongoing promotion on SciArt Exchange and NASA Earth Sciences websites.
3. Display of artwork at applicable in person events worldwide.

The following physical awards will also be delivered to the winners:

1. Certificate with Artist's Name, Title of Piece, Name of Competition and Year and a small artwork print.
2. Trophy with Artists Name, Title of Piece, Name of Competition and Year

Runners up awardees will receive a digital certificate and visibility.
​We will also host a People's Choice Award on Facebook!

Questions?

Check the FAQs or contact us at [email protected]. Please include “Science in Action Competition” in the subject line.

Enter Your Artwork

Step 1: Preparing information and files

Artwork & contact information (in english)

Artwork Information

• Title of Art Entry
• Age group (14-18 or adult) 
• Contact Person’s Information  
  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Postal address
  • Phone number

​
Artist(s)’ Information (Can be same as Contact)

• Artist’s full name
• Artist’s date of birth
• Artist’s country of origin
• Artist’s email address
• If less than 18 years old:
  • Artist’s parent or guardian’s full name
  • Artist’s parent or guardian’s email address
  • Artist’s parent or guardian’s postal address and phone number

Artist's statement of originality

Use this optional section to explain choice of media, charters or styles or anything else you want to tell us about your art.
Do NOT include the artist's name or art entry title in the Statement of Originality.

Agreement

All entries require an agreement form.

Each artist under 18 years old must identify a parent or guardian who understands the agreement form and discusses it with the artist, and then gives the minor-aged child permission to participate via his/her signature.

The adult artist or designated parent or guardian for the artist will receive an email with an electronic agreement specifically-designed for that artist AFTER the Entry form is submitted.  Each adult artist or parent/guardian must electronically sign the agreement to complete the art submission process.

Artwork files

The artist should be ready to upload an appropriate electronic file for art submission as described in the Contest Guidelines. Please make sure that an artist’s name is NOT visible on the electronic version of the submitted art. Maximum file size is 25 MB. Acceptable formats are .jpg, .pdf or .png

Step 2: Complete the online entry form

• Have all the necessary documents ready before filling out the Online Entry Form (Step 1).
• Complete each text field on the Online Entry Form in English. Note that an asterisk (*) indicates a required field.  
• Upload the required artwork file. Note that once an application form is submitted with attached files, no document substitutions are accepted by the online entry form system.

Step 3: Provide signed agreement

After the online Entry Form has been submitted, each adult artist or artist’s parent/guardian will receive an email with a specifically-designed, electronic agreement.  Please make a notation of the Identification Numbers for your entry and refer to that ID number when communicating with the competition organizers later, if needed.

Step 4: Await confirmation that your competition entry is complete

An e-mail notification will be sent to the artwork Contact Person when all the artist(s)’ agreements have been received.
Only COMPLETE ENTRIES received before the deadline of 11:59 PM US Central Standard Time August 31, 2022 will be considered.

Step 5: await the contest results from our wonderful finals judges!

Once you've entered your artwork, the contest will close August 31, 2022. After that, your artwork will be judged in multiple rounds, with a final round by our amazing finals judges! Please be patient, as this process takes some time. You will know when the winners of the contest are announced. If you are a winner, we will contact you to confirm your details so we can send your prizes!

Questions?

Look at the FAQs or email [email protected]. Please reference “Science in Action Competition” in your communications.

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Frequently Asked questions (FAQs)

How do I enter?

Read the guidelines and then submit your entry electronically here. 

What size should my artwork be?

All artwork must be on a single portrait page. The page can contain as many panels of any size as the artist likes. We recommend a resolution of 18x24 inches or 5400x7200 pixels at 300 Pixels Per Inch in order to best showcase your art in print!

When will the winners be announced?

We plan multiple rounds of judging to ensure that winners are selected fairly. About 3-4 weeks after the contest is closed, we will host a Facebook People's Choice vote and then announce the judges' winners and the People's Choice winners on social media platforms.

What will winners receive?

Winners will receive visibility:

1. Social media posts from SciArt Exchange and NASA Earth Sciences.
2. Ongoing promotion on SciArt Exchange and NASA Earth Sciences websites.
3. Display of artwork at applicable in person events worldwide.

The following physical awards will also be delivered to the winners:

1. Certificate with Artist's Name, Title of Piece, Name of Competition and Year and a small artwork print.
2. Trophy with Artists Name, Title of Piece, Name of Competition and Year

Runners up awardees will receive a digital certificate and visibility.
​We will also host a People's Choice Award on Facebook!

How can I help spread the word?

Spread the word to your community by printing this flyer or sharing our social media promotions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! If you'd like access to additional assets to help promote this contest, become a communication partner!

​There is also a spanish version of the flyer available and a video explaining the contest and how to enter in spanish.

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thank you to our Contest partners!

Thanks to these communication partners who are helping to promote this opportunity:
- Alabama State University Department of Visual Arts
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
- Brentwood School
- Chaniartoon - International Comic & Animation Festival
- Kayapinar Science and Art Center
- Girls Fly Programme Africa
- International Child Art Foundation
- International Museum of Art & Science
- Oakridge International School
- Renaissance Woman Consulting
​- Rhode Island School of Design, Illustration Department
- Sara Maria Ion​
- The Science Olympiad Foundation
- Shri Vidhya Mandhir
- The SpaceKind Foundation / Yuri's Night
- Srujana, Girlchild and Women Empowerment Association
- Tudor Vianu National High School of Computer Science
- Voronezh State Medical University

​Special thanks to Other World Computing for hosting our contest submission system!​