2016 – 2017 Fairchild Challenge Awards Announced

By Emily Nye, High School Program Coordinator

Congratulations to all of our 2016 – 2017 Fairchild Challenge participants. This year brought in many fantastic entries. We saw sophisticated children’s books, detailed app concepts, stunning botanical illustrations, creative videos, and high quality research and writing. Our participants this year displayed a wealth of talent, imagination and curiosity. Thank you to all the students for sharing your ideas with us.

The Fairchild Challenge would not be possible without the devoted educators that take on the responsibility of facilitating these challenges. Thank you for your hard work and your willingness to take on extra responsibilities.

Our communities face many environmental challenges, but seeing all these active young minds reassures us that we will find innovative solutions to our world’s most pressing problems. Individuals can and do make a difference by committing to actions that better our communities and motivating others to do the same. We hope that you all have a wonderful summer, and remember to take time to connect with and appreciate nature. As Rachel Carson wrote, “One way to open your eyes to unnoticed beauty is to ask yourself, 'What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?'” 

Congratulations to our overall winners for the 2016 – 2017 Fairchild Challenge:

Middle School
Third Places: David E. Williams Middle School, The Ellis School and Washington Park Intermediate School
Second Place: Trafford Middle School
First Place: Woodland Hills Academy (pictured below)

High School
Third Places: Central Catholic High School, Penn-Trafford High School (pictured below) and Ringgold High School

Second Place: North Allegheny Senior High School
First Place: Shaler Area High School (pictured below)

Patti Burns Prize for Excellence in Communication and Media
Carson Middle School for “The Steel Wheel” by Drew Lopuszynski
Penn-Trafford High School for “Climate Change: Hit or Myth” by Zoe Smith, Sabrina Catalano and Kate Polechko

Take a look back at some of this year's entries:

“Sense of Place” Children’s Book, Shaler Area High School:

“Nature Journal,” Woodland Hills Academy:

“Companion Plants,” Savannah Luhrman, A.W. Beattie Career Center:

“Beneficial Bugs,” Bailey Wertz and Gabrielle Sedlar, Brentwood Middle School:

“Climate Change Hero,” Drew Lopuszynski, Carson Middle School:

“Environmental Action,” Shaler Area High School:

Congratulations to all of the winners! We hope all of you will continue to think about how our actions affect the planet. Have questions? Contact Emily Nye at enye@phipps.conservatory.org or 412/622-6915, ext. 3905.

Developed by the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, Fl., and adopted by Phipps as a satellite partner in 2008, The Fairchild Challenge offers a menu of interdisciplinary challenges for grades 6 – 8 and grades 9 – 12, attracting students of diverse interests, abilities, talents and backgrounds. The Challenge empowers young people to engage in civic life and encourages them to become energetic and knowledgeable members of their communities.