This story is a part of the GenOcean campaign — an official Ocean Decade campaign showcasing Decade Actions, collaborating organizations and ocean leaders that focus on youth and citizen science opportunities to help anyone, anywhere be the change the ocean needs.
Would you believe that the next generation of ocean protectors might be high school students — building robotics, renewable energy systems or eco-friendly aquaculture solutions? That’s exactly the kind of future that the Brilliant Blue Challenge is helping bring to life.
What is the Brilliant Blue Challenge?
The Brilliant Blue Challenge is a global, youth-focused ocean innovation competition created by Brilliant Labs — an endorsed Ocean Decade Action addressing three Decade Challenges:
1 – Understand and beat marine pollution;
9 – Skills, knowledge, technology and participation for all; and
10 – Restore society’s relationship with the ocean
Each year, teams of two to five students (ages 12–18) — supported by at least one adult advisor — come together with fresh ideas to tackle big issues shaping the future of the ocean.
Participants can enter one of three challenge categories:
- Marine Renewable Energy — designing sustainable ways to power our world using the ocean’s energy.
Marine Autonomous Systems — imagining robotic or automated systems to explore or protect the deep sea. - Healthy Marine Life — developing solutions to protect and restore ocean ecosystems.
Through this challenge, Brilliant Blue aims to raise awareness about the blue economy, spark interest among youth in ocean industries and provide a hands-on platform where students can learn and connect with ocean sector mentors.
“We started the program when we realized the lack of awareness of clear pathways into a blue economy career among youth under the age of eighteen,” says Omar Hussein, Brilliant Blue Challenge Director.
From Virtual Competition to Global Movement
The inaugural Brilliant Blue Challenge took place on December 16, 2023, as a fully virtual event. Teams from across the globe, spanning multiple continents, came together to present creative solutions in ocean innovation.
What began as an online gathering quickly blossomed into a movement. By the 2025 edition, Brilliant Blue expanded into a hybrid format combining in-person and virtual participation and opening the door for even greater inclusion, participation and impact. That year also marked a major milestone: the first National competition in Canada, held at Dalhousie University in Halifax on June 7 and 8. From that national event, top teams advanced to the global finals in October.
“Through a global network of event partners, we expect national competitions to take place across the world,” says Hussein. “This means more opportunities for young people and more partnerships with academia and industry.”
Why It Matters — Building a Future for the Ocean and Youth
The ocean covers over 70% of Earth’s surface and holds 97% of the planet’s water. It plays a vital role in regulating climate, supporting biodiversity and sustaining the livelihoods of millions. Yet, pressures from climate change, pollution, overexploitation and habitat loss threaten its health and integrity.
At the same time, the “blue economy” — sustainable industries related to the ocean — holds enormous potential: marine energy, aquaculture, marine robotics, environmental protection and more. Brilliant Blue taps into that potential by empowering youth to think deeply about how they can shape a sustainable ocean future through innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration.
By combining STEM skills, creativity and real-world problem solving, Brilliant Blue nurtures not just future scientists and engineers but the next generation of ocean leaders and environmental stewards.
“I’m really happy to see a national competition coming to Nova Scotia,” said Dana Sweeney, a Technology and Science Teacher in Halifax. “I’ve already registered my team to participate, and my advice to other teachers is just to do it. It’s a really satisfying experience for you as a teacher, and you get really great quality students who step up, volunteer, and are eager to learn.”
What’s Next for Brilliant Blue 2026
Want to join the challenge? Young people interested in entering can form a team of two to five students (ages 12–18), select a challenge category — renewable energy, autonomous systems or healthy marine life — register via the Brilliant Blue website and start working on a proposal with their advisor.
Brilliant Blue also welcomes mentors, industry partners, judges and sponsors who believe in youth-led innovation and want to support a thriving, sustainable blue economy.
“This year, we expect national competitions to take place in around 15 different countries, with participation from around 40 countries total. The challenge will only get bigger each year, so it’s a great time to come on board and invest in the next generation of problem solvers,” says Hussein.
Making Waves: Stories of Youth Impact
The Brilliant Blue Challenge has already sparked impressive ideas and meaningful outcomes. During the 2023 competition, a team of three students from Halifax West High School created “The Sea Hive,” a micro-ecosystem combining mussels, seaweed and kelp to study how biodiversity influences water quality and marine health. Their findings underscored just how critical balanced, diverse ecosystems are for ocean sustainability.
Emma Creelman, a member of the team, said their project consisted of a box with two compartments, one of which held only blue mussels and the other blue mussels with different kinds of kelp and seaweed, which was then placed in the water at the Armdale Yacht Club.
“We really wanted to test whether growing two things in concert would allow for healthy water quality and healthy seaweed and mussels overall,” she told CBC Radio’s Information Morning Halifax.
After leaving the tank in the water for about a month, they discovered their hypothesis was correct.
“We saw the overall health of our mussels and water quality were way better on the side with the seaweed and kelp,” said Mayar Ibrabah, another team member. “We also saw that the side with the different types of kelp and seaweed was way cleaner and less acidic than the side with the mussels and no kelp or seaweed. That’s because the carbon dioxide that mussels produce through cellular respiration is absorbed by the kelp and filtered out, keeping the water chemistry balanced.”
This discovery, and their hard work, is what won them the Productive Ocean Award, one of 10 awards given out at the Brilliant Blue Challenge.
“All three of us are really passionate about science and all really want to be future scientists,” Ibrabah said.
That’s exactly the kind of creative, science-based observations young people need to ignite a passion for ocean research. And through Brilliant Blue, students gain practical experience, mentorship and a global stage to test their ideas.
Join the Wave
If you’re a student aged 12–18, a teacher, a mentor or someone passionate about the ocean, innovation and the blue economy, Brilliant Blue Challenge offers a unique, powerful way to get involved. Build solutions, collaborate across borders, learn from mentors and contribute to the future of the ocean!
The ocean is vast, mysterious and full of potential. With Brilliant Blue, youth around the world are not just learning about that potential, they’re building it. Learn more on their website and register for the 2026 challenge here.
Read more GenOcean stories on our webpage.
