Fairchild Challenge at Phipps: Challenge #1 Winners Announced!

By Emily Nye, High School Program Coordinator

Thank you to the many schools that submitted an entry for Challenge #1.  We hope that you enjoyed walking in the woods and pulling inspiration from your surroundings as we have enjoyed viewing your work. All of the judges agreed that the accuracy, thoughtfulness, artistry and cleverness demonstrated in these entries was outstanding. 

Middle School: “Nature Journals”

For the middle school challenge, “Nature Journal,” we asked you to take a walk in the woods with a keen eye and take special note of the plants/trees around you. From this experience teams produced a collection of photographed and drawn plant ID books. Each entry was detailed and unique. Nice work!

And the winners are:

First: Woodland Hills Academy

Second: David E. Williams Middle School 

Third: Woodland Hills Intermediate 

Special Merit award go to: Trinity Middle School

High School: “Sense of Place” Children’s Books

For the high school challenge, “Sense of Place,” we asked you to create a children’s book that encouraged kids to connect with the wonders of nature around them. Your entries were teeming with talent!

And the winners are:

First: Shaler Area High School

Second: North Allegheny Intermediate High School

Third: Ringgold High School

Special Merit awards goes to: Penn-Trafford High School and North Allegheny Senior High School

We would like to give a special shout out to out judges from the following organizations: Chatham University, Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, Pittsburgh Society of Illustrators and Tree Pittsburgh.  Thank you for lending us your expertise!

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 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.