Fairchild Challenge at Phipps: Hibernation, Brumation and Aestivation, Oh My!

By Emily Horner, Science Education Facilitator

Thank you to all the students who submitted projects for the first Fairchild Challenge of the year!  For this challenge, "Hibernation, Brumation, Aestivation, Oh My!" both middle and high school students researched animals that undergo various processes to survive in harsh environmental conditions.  For example, hibernation is a a process in which some warm-blooded animals are able to slow their metabolism and body processes in order to conserve energy and survive harsh winter conditions. Similarly, some cold-blooded animals go into brumation to survive the cold.  Still other animals are able to survive in very hot or dry climates by entering a dormancy state called aestivation. Students were asked to research an animal that uses one of these processes, write a short essay about it and then create an accompanying art piece featuring it.

The participants in this challenge did a great job expressing what they learned through their writing and drawings. The entries we recieved featured a variety of animals and were both detailed and creative!  

Please enjoy a selection of student work below:

Middle School

Dickson Preparatory STEAM Academy: The Red Fox by Addison Ebbitt

North Allegheny Cyber Academy: Frogs: The Hyla Crucifer by Hallie Dong

Saltsburg Middle School: The Hibernation of Ground Squirrels by Madelyn Condor

High School

Carlynton Junior-Senior High School: San Francisco Garter Snakes by Eric Burcham

North Allegheny Senior High School: Hibernation, Brumation and Aestivation, Oh My! by Mirae Choe and Venice Lin

Westinghouse Arts Academy Charter School: The American Toad’s Hibernation by Caden Ferita

We are excited to feature a larger selection of student artwork in this year's Winter Flower Show!  You can view the middle and high school particpants' projects on display in the Gallery Room of Phipps Conservatory, shown below:

Have questions? Contact Emily Johns at ejohns@phipps.conservatory.org or 412/622-6915, ext. 6936.

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 2 – 5, 6 – 8 and 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.

Cover Art by Maya Weaver, Oakland Catholic High School