Fairchild Challenge: Challenge Five Winners Announced!

By Sahar Arbab

Our Fairchild Challenge participants went above and beyond in our fifth challenge of the year, “My Climate Future.” In this challenge, we tasked students with creating videos that first explained the science behind climate change, and then provided the viewer with actions they can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

The judges found that the best videos were scientifically accurate, provided an engaging storyline, gave examples of approachable solutions, were edited and filmed carefully and left the viewer motivated to take action.

Special thanks to our judges for providing thoughtful feedback on each entry! Our judges represented the following organizations: Sustainable Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Chatham University, Citizen Power, Beaver County Times and Phipps Conservatory.  And the winners are...

Middle School:

• First: Woodland Hills Academy
• Second: Keystone Oaks Middle School
• Third: Woodland Hills Intermediate
• Special Merit: Shaler Area Middle School

High School:

• First Place: Ringgold High School
• Second Place: Woodland Hills Jr /Sr. High School
• Third Place: North Allegheny Intermediate
• Special Merit: West Mifflin Area High School

You can watch some of these informative videos below:

Woodland Hills Academy:

Shaler Area Middle School:

Woodland Hills Intermediate:

Woodland Hills Jr/Sr. High School:

Ringgold High School:

Congratulations to all of the winners! Have questions? Contact Sahar Arbab at sarbab@phipps.conservatory.org or 412-622-6915 x3905.

About the Fairchild Challenge: 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. This program is made possible by the generous support of the Grable Foundation and the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit Program.