to access the Digital Museum click above

The Ocean Awareness Contest is an international art and creative-writing competition run by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs that invites young people to explore environmental issues through art, film, music, poetry, prose, interactive media, and other creative forms. This year, I chose to enter an interactive multimedia format because it combines science, storytelling, design, and visual art into a single experience. Below was my Artist Statement:

Over the past several years, I have conducted field research on Zostera pacifica, a native California seagrass that plays an important role in storing carbon and supporting marine ecosystems. While scientific papers communicate findings to specialists, I wanted to create something that would engage a broader audience and inspire curiosity about the ocean.

The idea for my project grew from a simple question: if seagrass meadows are so important, why do so few people know they exist? Inspired by New York Times-style visual journalism, I designed a digital museum exhibit using Framer that guides visitors through the science, beauty, and significance of blue carbon ecosystems. Through scrolling narratives, imagery, animations, and interactive elements, viewers can explore how seagrass meadows capture carbon, protect coastlines, support marine life, and contribute to climate resilience.

Creating this project taught me that the ocean sustains us in ways that are often invisible. Through my research, I learned that ecosystems hidden beneath the water's surface help regulate our climate and support biodiversity. I also discovered the power of science communication: facts alone are not always enough to inspire action; stories and experiences help people care.

My message is that protecting the ocean begins with understanding it. Even overlooked ecosystems like seagrass meadows have extraordinary value. By learning their stories, we can better appreciate our connection to the ocean and become more motivated to protect the ecosystems that sustain and protect us all. This interactive digital museum exhibit uses scrolling narratives, photography, scientific data, animations, and visual storytelling to introduce viewers to California's Zostera pacifica seagrass ecosystems. Inspired by immersive online journalism, the project invites users to explore how seagrass meadows store carbon, support marine biodiversity, and contribute to climate resilience. Viewers navigate through a series of interconnected exhibits that combine scientific research with multimedia elements to make hidden ocean ecosystems accessible and engaging.