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By
Marissa Kunerth
Earth Applied Sciences Writer
Published

Due to educator requests, the deadline for all artwork submissions has been extended until August 31, 2022, at 11:59 US CT.

Pow! Zap! Bam! NASA is launching the international Science in Action Comic Strip Contest in collaboration with the non-profit organization, SciArt Exchange.

This Earth Science in Action contest invites high school, college-aged students, and professionals from around the world to create action-packed comics that tell the story of how satellite imagery benefits life on Earth, helping communities protect our oceans, air, and land.

The mission: create an original comic strip that illustrates one of the three stories below and the impact of NASA Earth data.  

  1. Palau Fish Stocks in Danger – Satellite Data to the Rescue!
  2. Satellite Data and Savvy Scientists Save Civilians from Worsening Wildfire Hazards
  3. Citizens of Thailand Avoid Harmful Air with Quality Satellite Data!
Comic Strip Contest
Credits: SciArt Exchange/Jayson Kretzer and Miles Shellshear

SciArt Exchange’s information and resources are available for inspiration and to learn more about each story.

A panel of judges consisting of scientists, artists, and astronauts select the winners. The panel includes the Director of NASA Applied Sciences, Lawrence Friedl; as well as a flight engineer and retired NASA astronaut, Nicole Stott. Joining them are Kristin Laidre, a principal scientist at the Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, and Jim Toomey, a mechanical engineer with degrees from Duke and Stanford University and artist behind the popular comic strip Sherman’s Lagoon, as well as comic artists, Nathan Fox; Mostafa Moussa; Hyesu Lee; and Geneva Bowers.

Entries will be judged in two separate categories: high school students (14-18 years old) and adults (18+). Prizes will be awarded to the top high school student winner and the top adult winner for each of the three-story topics. One runner-up will also be awarded in each category. 

Artwork will be scored/evaluated based on the following elements of artistic expression and scientific reality: aesthetics and skill, creativity, scientific accuracy, and fulfilled intent. In addition, one winner from each story, NASA Satellites Help Plan Future for Palau Fish Stocks, Smoke Signals from Satellites, and Thailand Brings NASA Air Quality Data Down to Earth, will be awarded a People’s Choice Award based on the artwork from each story theme that receives the most Facebook likes after the contest closes. 

All artworks must be submitted digitally by August 13, 2022, at 11:59 US CT via the online entry form. Winning art will receive visibility digitally and at in-person displays with the goal of inspiring and educating everyone about the impact NASA's science in action has here on Earth. Top winners from each story will also receive a personalized trophy and certificate.

For more information or to submit an entry, visit the SciArt Exchange Science in Action Comic Strip Contest website.  

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