6. Any entry that includes an image (including a painting, graphic, advertisement or brand logo) that is owned /was created by someone/institution other than the student without seeking relevant permission will not be accepted.

7. Schools may be requested to show proofs of permission obtained for any clarifications if these images are used. Where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used to create the artwork entry, students must declare the use of AI in their submission, including the type of AI used and the extent to which it was used in the creation of the artwork.

8. Students should also check the terms and conditions of the AI and to provide attribution as required.

9. Entries that present the use of the Flag of Singapore must adhere to the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem (SAFNA) Rule 9(6)2 , which require that no person treat the Flag with disrespect and articulate the principles and protocol for the use and display of the Flag.

10. Entries must adhere to the guidelines of use for National Symbols3 (where relevant). The organising committee reserves the right to reject entries that do not adhere to guidelines.

11. Entries should not have been submitted for other external exhibitions or competitions.

• Any food items both wet and dry, raw or cooked (beans, macaroni, rice etc.)

• Any live items such as insects

• Organic materials, live or dry (leaves, soil, sand, blood etc.) • Mould, spores and fungi

• Strong smelling materials such as turpentine

• Glitter

• Flammable materials

• Soil, sand

• A Seed to a Tree

• A Bird eating a Worm

• An Ant carrying a Leaf

• A pair of hands holding a Plant

• A little Red Dot in the middle of the Big Ocean

“Little Surprises, Grand Insights”

“Small Wonders, Bold Visions”

“Tiny Inspirations, Global Changes”

“The Little Things That Shape Big Futures”

1. A seed after a life cycle

2. A small thing that look big

3. An ant carrying food/a leaf

4. A pair of hands holding a plant

5. A little red dot in the middle of the sea

6. An ant under a microscope

7. A slashed heart in a box

8. Tiny homes for freedom

9. A tiny rain drop falling from the sky

10. A slashed tree in a box

### 1. Collapse of Marine Ecosystems:

Plankton, especially phytoplankton (which are photosynthetic), produce about 50% of the world’s oxygen. Without them, oxygen levels in the atmosphere would start to drop, making life more difficult for all oxygen-dependent organisms.

- Food Chains Collapsing: Plankton are the primary food source for many marine organisms. Without plankton, fish, shellfish, and other marine creatures would starve, and those animals are a major food source for larger predators like whales, seabirds, and even humans. The loss of these animals would have a cascading effect on the entire ocean ecosystem.

- Fishery Crisis: The fishing industry, which billions of people rely on for food and income, would collapse. Without plankton, fish populations would plummet, leading to the collapse of commercial and subsistence fisheries.

### 2. A Stark, Desolate Ocean:

Imagine an ocean that's eerily quiet, with few or no animals swimming in it. The once vibrant underwater world would be almost lifeless—no schools of fish darting through the water, no plankton blooms illuminating the surface at night.

- Algal Blooms: Some types of plankton, particularly phytoplankton, are responsible for fueling large-scale algal blooms, which are crucial for maintaining oceanic health. Without them, the ocean’s nutrient balance would be thrown off, leading to nutrient depletion and potential desertification of marine ecosystems.

- Oxygen Depletion: Without plankton's role in photosynthesis, the ocean would lose its ability to produce oxygen, causing hypoxic (low oxygen) zones to form in what used to be healthy, oxygen-rich waters. Marine life wouldn't just decrease; entire ecosystems could suffocate.

### 3. Global Climate Shift:

Plankton also plays a role in carbon cycling. They help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. When plankton die and sink to the ocean floor, they effectively lock away carbon in deep ocean layers.

- Increased Greenhouse Gases: With plankton gone, that natural carbon sink would vanish. More CO2 would remain in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. The Earth's climate could become even more unstable, with rising temperatures and more extreme weather events.

- Disrupted Weather Patterns: The absence of plankton would also affect the ocean’s ability to regulate the climate. Since plankton help drive the water cycle by producing water vapor that impacts cloud formation, their disappearance could affect precipitation patterns, potentially leading to droughts in some areas and flooding in others.

### 4. Human Impact:

Humans would feel the effects most immediately through food shortages, as seafood supplies would dry up. In addition, the lack of oxygen produced by plankton would begin to impact the air quality over time. While plants would take over more of the oxygen production, they wouldn't be able to compensate for the massive loss of marine oxygen generation.

- Loss of Biodiversity: The rich biodiversity of the oceans would vanish, leading to the loss of many species that humans rely on for food, medicine, and economic activities.

### 5. The Land in Peril:

- Lack of Water Purification: The oceans also act as natural purifiers of the planet, cycling nutrients and filtering out toxins. With plankton gone, the oceans would be less capable of cleaning themselves, leading to increased pollution that could make its way into terrestrial ecosystems, affecting everything from plant life to human health.

In this world, oceans would be vast, empty expanses of water, devoid of color and life, while the land would struggle with environmental instability. The delicate balance of life would be shattered, and Earth would become a much less hospitable place.

It’s wild to think about how something so small and often invisible, like plankton, plays such a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth. Would you like to explore any particular aspects of this "plankton-less" world in more detail?

Singaporeans (wearing different traditional clothes) are joining forces to pull the map of Singapore (coloured in red) away from being overwhelmed by technology, preserving the uniqueness of our culture, people, and environment.

Comments:

Do you want to strengthen the idea of the cliff to link to the concept?

Using the gashapon machine concept, each capsule reveals a unique facet of what makes Singapore special. Every capsule highlights different strengths—ranging from iconic landmarks and acts of kindness to our close-knit community and deep patriotism.