2026 Art of Sustainable Science
About
Art of Sustainable Science is an annual event that celebrates sustainability through a union of art and science.
Open to all K-12 students from public, private, and homeschool settings, this event invites young minds to create art pieces or science fair projects that highlight a message of plant science or environmental conservation knowledge. Participation is free, and students can choose to work individually or in teams.
Projects will be evaluated by expert judges with cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each grade-level band and category. Garden staff and visitors will have the chance to vote for their favorite project. The winning favorite project will receive a 2026 Galaxy of Lights Walking Night Family Pass, good for up to 6 guests.
Each project included in the Art of Sustainable Science contributes to our shared goal of promoting a sustainable future for all generations.
Join the Art of Sustainable Science
Students in grades K–12 are invited to design an art piece or a science fair project that highlights a message of plant science or environmental conservation knowledge.
Whether your student loves painting, building, experimenting or inventing, there’s a place for their talents to shine. Projects will be judged with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each grade-level band and topic category. Garden staff and visitors will have the chance to vote for their favorite project. The winning project will receive a Galaxy of Lights Walking Night Family Pass, good for up to 6 guests.
How to Participate
Participation is FREE and open to all public, private, and homeschool students in grades K-12. Students can work individually or in teams to create art pieces or science fair projects.
This year, we’re excited to host all participants in person at the Garden, offering a more engaging student experience with cash prizes in each grade-level band and topic category.
Projects will be displayed and presented by students at the Art of Sustainable Science event on February 28, 2026. All participants must be present at the Garden to qualify for scoring, cash prizes, and consideration as a project favorite. Participating students will receive a certificate, souvenir, and free Garden admission for themselves and their teacher/guardian sponsor on the event day.
Timeline & Important Dates
2025
- September 11 Project Registration Open
- September – October Participate in Virtual Information Teams Sessions (*see below for details)
- September 26 @10 a.m. Intro to Art of Sustainable Science
- October 3 @10 a.m. Environmental Conservation
- October 17 @10 a.m. Scientific Method
2026
- February 20 by 11:59 p.m. CT Project Registration Deadline
- February 28, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. In-Person Event (Project Scoring & Award Ceremony)
- March 27 Prize Checks Mailed to Winning Project Participants
Project Categories
Environmental Conservation
- Art K-5th / Art 6th-8th / Art 9th-12th
- Science K-5th / Science 6th-8th / Science 9th-12th
Plant Science
- Art K-5th / Art 6th-8th / Art 9th-12th
- Science K-5th / Science 6th-8th / Science 9th-12th
See Rubric:
Project Registration
To register your individual or group art piece or science fair project, click the link below and submit the registration form by February 20th at 11:59pm.
Important: After submitting, be sure to click “Save your response to edit” to save your form link. If your registration details change while you are working on your project, use this saved link to update your form.
Registration will remain open until the deadline, February 20, 2026, for new entries and updates. If you have any issues with registering your project, please contact us at education@hsvbg.org or (256) 830-4447 ext. 270 as soon as possible.
Prizes and Scoring
- All students must attend the in-person event at the Garden on February 28, 2026 for judging and scoring in order to be eligible for cash prizes.
- All winners will be announced at the award ceremony following scoring on February 28, 2026.
- Prize checks will be mailed out to all winners by March 27, 2026.
Teams Informational Session Information
Please Note: All three Teams sessions will be recorded and emailed to session participants and event registrants to support student project completion.
To receive the recording links in your inbox, please email us at education@hsvbg.org
Click or tap to view session information!
Introduction to The Art of Sustainable Science
Friday, September 26, 2025 @ 10:00am Teams Link
We’ll explore the purpose of The Art of Sustainable Science contest and how it connects science and art with sustainability. Learn about entry categories, see how projects are scored, and discover types of prizes you could win. Stay for the Q&A to get answers to your questions and feel confident moving forward.
Environmental Conservation
Friday, October 3, 2025 @ 10:00am Teams Link
Katrina Mitchell, Conservation Horticulturalist at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, will provide an engaging introduction to conservation and lead a Q&A session to help students refine their research topics or explore questions that have emerged during their investigations.
Scientific Method
Friday, October 17, 2025 @10:00am Teams Link
Gain insights from experienced science teachers on how to effectively apply the Scientific Method in your projects. Don’t miss this exclusive session featuring NARSEF Director Amy Beth Ford—find out how The Art of Sustainable Science can be your springboard to success at NARSEF!