Blog
Fairchild Challenge at Phipps: Challenge #2 Winners Announced!
Thank you to the many schools that submitted entries for Challenge #2! We saw some absolutely incredible projects for these challenges - the students truly went above and beyond!
High School
High school students were challenged to pick an Indigenous conservation strategy and create an informational pamphlet. In the pamphlets, students were asked to produce detailed writing and original illustrations that narrowed in on specific Indigenous conservation methods and how Indigenous conservation practices can be utilized to influence mainstream conservation practices today. Many students that participated in this challenge chose to focus on a specific Indigenous group and detail the unique ways in which they have practiced conservation. The judges were truly blown away by the research, artisitic skill, and thought that went into each of these pamphlets. The students that submitted entries for this challenge truly went above and beyond and they should be very proud of what they have accomplished.
And the High School winner are:
First: Woodland Hills High School: Nathan Scott, Zoe Spear, Beckett Ciocco, Ella Devore
Second: Shaler Area High School: Grace Helbling, Elise Williams
Third: Mars Area High School: Mira Ramanathan, Addison Girdwood, Annelie Gustafsson, Cecelia Crowley, Katelyn McKee, Claire Magness
Special Merit: Penn-Trafford High School: Delaney Race, Sydney Mularski, Madi Gavrish, Cienna Oien, Riley Joyce, Brayden Cain, Alex Serapiglia
Special Merit: Shaler Area High School: Allison Little
Middle School
Middle school students were challenged to observe and identify an environmental issue or climate-related impact that has had a significant effect on their community, develop a solution, and design a scaled-down mural that tells a story of their chosen issue, and what actions can be taken to improve their communities in the future. Murals are a great way to tell a story for many people to see. In addition to the mural, students were also asked to include a 3-paragraph paper the message of their mural and where in their community they would like to see it! We were deeply inspired by the students’ creativity and dedication to this challenge. The judges were amazed by the beautiful and meaningful murals created for this entry. All of the schools that participated should be very proud of their students for their incredible work! The winners and select artwork from this challenge will be on display in the Center for Sustainable Landscapes Gallery come February.
And the Middle School winners are:
First: Dickson STEAM Academy: Eleanor Willson, Cooper Morse, Leela Norman, Emilee Bellows, Camden Evans, Edolie Willett, Charlotte Kovach, Eva Langer, Max Balkey, Gabe Watson
Second: Boyce Middle School: Somi Valancius, Rebecca Zahalsky, Sara Alhajhusain, YuRui Lin, Sarah Staub, Kenzie Petrick, Brayden Wong, Praachi Sreeram
Third: Provident Charter School: Chloey Mazza King, Kylie Lopez, Mayah Gill, Thomie Bain
Special Merit: Marshall Middle School: Ellora Kshirsdgar
Elementary School Highlights! (Judges' Choice)
Elementary School students were challened to design and draw a green space that they would like to see created in their neighborhood or in the city of Pittsburgh. When designing your green space, students were asked to think about where they would like it to be, how big, what sort of plants might grow there. Also, how both people and animals would interact with the space. The goal of their green space was to improve the livelihood of both the people and animals that live in their desired location. They were prompted to think about accessibility, opportunities for pollinators (bees, butterflies, birds), and what fun and useful features you can include (gazebos, water fountains, grills, restrooms, food gardens, etc.) The participants did a trumendous job creating these green space blueprints. Great job!
Gateway Elementary School
Mars Area Centennial School
Turtle Creek Elementary STEAM Academy
Thank you to all of the students who submitted entries for this challenge, and thank you to the teachers who encouraged and supported them!
We would like to give a special shout out to our panelists: Susan Juffe (Phipps' Discovery Team Lead), Heather Conrad (Phipps Volunteer), Cindy Bloch (Phipps Volunteer), Gabrielle Marshall (Phipps' Sustainability Manager), Fitzhugh Shaw (Farmer / Re-wilder Oasis Farm & Fishery, Braddock Food Collaborative), Amy Covell (CMNH Collection Manager, Archaeology and Head of the Section of Anthropology), Ann Marie Zanger (Phipps Volunteer), Joanne Schreiber (Phipps Volunteer). Thank you for lending us your time and expertise!
Have questions? Contact Alyssa Mulé at amule@phipps.conservatory.org, 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 K-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.
