Each year, the Ocean Exploration Trust chooses artwork made by a young student to go on an ocean adventure aboard Exploration Vessel Nautilus.

Students ages six to fourteen (6-14) are eligible to submit original artwork to be considered for the official Nautilus Expedition Patch that will be worn by members of the Corps of Exploration. The 2017 Nautilus Patch Design Contest will be posted during the month of September.

When asked what ocean exploration meant to him, 2016 winner Gustopher Miller wrote: “Ocean exploration is important to me because you can find your own creature and name it. Scientists sometimes name discoveries after their first or last names. You can look at wonderful creatures and find things that sank because that is a very, VERY cool experience! Not much of the ocean has even been discovered, yet! Sometimes you can predict what you might find, like a wreck or an animal, before you even find it if you know enough from exploring.”

This is contest a great way to get kids interested in the possibilities of ocean exploration. Contest details for 2017 will be listed sometime during the month of September here.