Education Impact Challenge

Extreme environments - hypersaline brine pools and oxygen-depleted zones - host alien-like ecosystems, preserving ancient climate records and supporting life where it seems unimaginable to humans that it could exist.

Create an experience that places users inside extreme ocean environments - hypersaline brine pools and oxygen-depleted zones - exploring the limits of life and what it means to survive.

Projection mapping, Atmospheric immersion, Sensory storytelling, Volumetric environments, Narrative exploration, Spatial sound, Sci-fi aesthetics grounded in science, Environmental world-building

This track invites participants to explore one of the most mysterious frontiers on Earth while connecting deep-ocean science to larger questions about resilience, climate, and life itself.

“Deep-sea brine pools represent hypersaline environments famed for their extremophile microbes. With anoxia entirely excluding bioturbating megafauna, brine pools are also conducive to the pristine preservation of sedimentary sequences. Here we use bathymetric and geophysical observations to locate a complex of brine pools in the Gulf of Aqaba consisting of one 10,000 m2 pool and three minor pools of less than 10 m2. We further conduct sediment coring and direct sampling of the brine to confirm the sedimentary and environmental characteristics of these pools. We find that the main pool preserves a stratigraphy which spans at least 1200 years and contains a combination of turbidites, likely resulting from flashfloods and local seismicity, and tsunamigenic terrestrial sediment. The NEOM Brine Pools, as we name them, extend the known geographical range of Red Sea brine pools, and represent a unique preservational environment for the sedimentary signals of regional climatic and tectonic events.”

New species are constantly being discovered in the deep ocean — enabled by advancements in technologies like ROVs, submersibles, and soft robotics.

Design an experience where users become deep-sea explorers — taking samples that could lead to the discovery of new species, navigating unknown terrain, and expanding human knowledge.

Games and simulations, Interactive storytelling, Exploration systems, AI-assisted discovery, Tool-building interfaces, Narrative gameplay, Discovery mechanics

This track transforms scientific exploration into an interactive learning journey that invites audiences into the excitement, uncertainty, and wonder of ocean discovery.

“The diversity and evolution of the Red Sea invertebrates in mesophotic and deep-water benthic ecosystems remain largely unexplored. The Palaemonidae is a diversified family of caridean shrimps with numerous taxa in need of taxonomic revisions based on recent molecular analyses. The Red Sea mesophotic and bathyal palaemonid shrimps are largely unstudied. During recent expeditions off the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, several palaemonid specimens were collected at a depth range of 88–494 m, spanning the mesophotic and bathyal zones. This material was examined morphologically and genetically to infer phylogenetic relationships among the Red Sea taxa and several other palaemonid genera. The concordant morphological and genetic data led to the description of two new genera and two new species. Moreover, one species was recorded in the Red Sea for the first time, with a new host record, whereas three further deep-water species, which do not occur in the Red Sea, were formally transferred to a different genus. As more exploration efforts are deployed, research on the diversity and evolutionary relationships among marine invertebrates from the Red Sea will further underline the uniqueness of its mesophotic and bathyal fauna.”

Submit your initial concept, creative vision, and chosen challenge track as a team. Applications focus on the strength of the idea, the learning journey, and the potential impact of the experience.

Selected finalists receive access to OceanX science resources, datasets, footage, and exploration insight to further develop their concepts. Finalists will refine their prototype vision, development approach, and experience design before expert review.

Winning teams receive mentorship and support from OceanX Education and its network of scientists, storytellers, educators, and creative technologists to develop showcase-ready immersive experiences.

Selected winners may be invited aboard the R/V OceanXplorer to further develop their concepts through a future onboard hackathon connected to the OceanX Summit and other convenings.

A simple 10-slide template outlining the idea, audience, experience, and prototype vision.

Share your concept, motivation, and why your team wants to build it.

CVs, creative portfolios, prototypes, or relevant work samples are encouraged but not required.

Grounded in meaningful ocean science, exploration, or research.

Experiences that help people feel, understand, and connect.

Fresh approaches to immersive learning and storytelling.

Concepts that can realistically evolve into prototype experiences.

Experiences that deepen empathy, curiosity, wonder, or ocean-positive action.

Ideas with pathways toward public deployment, museum experiences, educational distribution, or future OceanX initiatives.

The OceanX Education Impact Challenge is a global open call inviting creators, scientists, educators, technologists, artists, and storytellers to develop innovative immersive learning experiences inspired by ocean science, exploration, and discovery. Participants will propose concepts that help people experience and understand the ocean in new ways through interactive, emotional, and educational storytelling.

OceanX combines ocean exploration, science, storytelling, education, and immersive media to help audiences better understand the ocean and humanity’s relationship to it. Through the OceanXplorer, global scientific expeditions, immersive experiences, museum collaborations, and educational initiatives, OceanX Education is creating new ways for people to experience the ocean—not as distant information, but as something living, emotional, interconnected, and worth protecting. The OceanX Education Impact Challenge is designed to empower the next generation of creators to help shape the future of ocean learning.

The Challenge is open to applicants worldwide. We encourage applications from students, early-career professionals, emerging creators, scientists and researchers, educators and learning designers, digital artists, storytellers and filmmakers, creative technologists, and interdisciplinary teams. You do not need prior experience in ocean science to apply.

No. We welcome applicants from a wide range of disciplines. Strong applications demonstrate curiosity, creativity, and a desire to help audiences better understand and connect with the ocean. Scientific integrity is part of the evaluation process so we recommend demonstrating research if you do not have a formal ocean science background.

The Challenge operates as a rolling global programme, with new tracks and opportunities launching throughout the year. Most collaboration and development takes place remotely, with selected in-person opportunities connected to showcases, immersive labs, and future onboard OceanXplorer development.

You must be 18 years old to apply. The Challenge is designed primarily for university students, recent graduates and early-career professionals with five or fewer years of experience. Our goal is to support your talent development through this program.

We are seeking immersive educational experiences that translate ocean science into meaningful audience experiences that help advance ocean literacy. Examples include interactive exhibits, games and simulations, projection-mapped environments, immersive installations, participatory experiences, data-driven visualizations, spatial storytelling experiences, and mixed-reality and virtual experiences. We encourage bold and creative interpretations of the Challenge tracks.

Applicants choose one track as the inspiration for their proposal. The inaugural Challenge features four science-inspired tracks. 1) Living Light: The Language of Bioluminescence, 2) The Invisible Ocean: Microbial Worlds That Run the Planet, 3) Extreme Oceans: Life at the Edge, and 4) Deep Sea Detectives: Finding Life in the Unknown.

Applications include 1) a short concept deck (approximately 10 slides). The deck template is linked in the application page, 2) a 1–2 minute video pitch, and 3) optional portfolio links, CVs, prototypes, or work samples. The application process is designed to be accessible and lightweight.

No. At the application stage, we are looking for compelling ideas and strong creative potential. Applicants do not need to build a working prototype before applying.

Applications will be assessed based on scientific integrity, audience engagement potential, originality and creativity, feasibility, emotional impact, and potential for future scale and deployment. Applications will be reviewed by the OceanX Education, OceanX Science, OceanX Media and other members of the OceanX community.

Finalists will gain access to OceanX science resources, research insights, footage, datasets, and mentorship opportunities to help refine their concepts. They will further develop their vision, including prototype approaches, experience design, technology pathways and development plan, before final review. Finalist applications will be reviewed by the team of expert Judges.

Winning teams or individuals will receive public recognition and a certificate of achievement. Winning teams may also receive funding support for project development, mentorship from scientists, educators, storytellers, and creative technologists from the OceanX network, opportunities to showcase their work through OceanX programs and events, access to future immersive labs, residencies, and development opportunities, and potential participation in future onboard experiences on the OceanXplorer

Selected winners may be invited to participate in a future onboard experience aboard the R/V OceanXplorer. Participation is not guaranteed and will depend on project needs, program timing, and available opportunities.

There is no cost to apply. Selected participants may also receive support for eligible program activities, including certain future in-person opportunities.

Yes. The Challenge is a global program and welcomes applicants from around the world.

All applications will be submitted and reviewed virutally. If you are advanced as a finalist, finalists will receive resources and next steps virtually. Selected winners may have opportunities to participate in in-person showcases, immersive labs, or future OceanXplorer experiences.

Strong applications typically demonstrate a compelling educational opportunity, creative use of immersive media or storytelling, clear audience impact, alignment with ocean science, original thinking, and a realistic path toward prototyping and implementation

Most people will never directly experience the deep ocean. Immersive media can transform scientific knowledge into emotional, memorable experiences that help audiences see, feel, and understand the ocean in ways that traditional educational formats often cannot.

Application deadlines, review timelines, and program milestones will be announced through the official Challenge website.

Interested applicants can follow OceanX social media announcements and sign up for updates to receive information about application deadlines, future Challenge tracks, events, and opportunities.