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The Ocean’s Cleaning Crew: Bacteria Armed with Technology
Karen Chen
Perrysburg, OH
2020, Junior, Art (2014 – 2023)
Reflection

My creative process wasn't that easy. I admit, I was stumped at first. There were so many things I could do, yet none of them seemed right. I was puzzled for a while, before my parents suggested something: "What about those plastic-eating bacteria?" So, I got out my computer and began researching all about these things. I read about enzymes and catalysts and hydrocarbs. The research was a bit boring, I'll have to say, but in the end I learned some new things: that there are these types of bacteria that feed off of hydrocarbs. They're multiplying rather quickly, as they're flourishing. I also learned of how scientists were afraid to dump these bacteria into the ocean in case there were side affects. I wondered, "What if scientists were to create the perfect bacteria? Maybe they'd be genetically modified or changed through technology." And like that, I began drawing.

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The Ocean’s Cleaning Crew: Bacteria Armed with Technology

Congratulations winners of the 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest! View the innovative new collection of student work here!

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