Challenge 6
Welcome to the high school challenge page for Challenge 6 of the Fairchild Challenge! Read below to find challenge information, entry requirements, resources and more for the challenge.
Challenge 6
Title: My Biophilic Study
For Individuals | Maximum points: 200
Maximum Number of Entries per School: 2
Due Date: Fri., April 25, 2024 by 5 p.m.
Your Challenge:
For this challenge, you’ll explore the concept of biophilia; the idea that humans have an innate connection to nature. Over two consecutive weeks of your choosing, you will complete the attached survey/journal to track your relationship with the outdoors. Within the “Resources”, you will find a Digital Journal. Prior to the first week, fill out the first page titled “Initial Questions”. By completing the initial survey, you will be able to assess your mental and physical state prior to Week 1. During Week 1, go about your daily routine as usual. Using the Digital Journal, answer daily survey questions and take notes of how much time you spend outside, if any.
In Week 2, make an active effort to spend more time outdoors. This could include activities like eating meals outside, biking, walking, hanging out with friends in a park or just relaxing in your yard. Like Week 1, you will fill out a daily survey and take note of any consistencies or changes that you experience or observe. The goal is to see if increasing your outdoor time affects your mood and overall well-being.
At the end of the two weeks, you will create a posterboard summarizing your experience. This should include before-and-after comparisons of how you felt during both weeks and how your attitudes may have changed. Be sure to include pictures that document your outdoor activities. This challenge will help you better understand the impact that nature has on your mind and body and encourage you to find new ways to connect with the environment around you.
Entry Requirements: Deliver to the High School Programs Coordinator at Phipps in-person.
- Challenge Entry Form
- For completion by individual students
- Maximum Number of Entries per School: 2
- Research presented in tri-fold poster format with at least 3 Works Cited
- Poster includes:
- Photos from both weeks that showcase your outdoor activities.
- A written reflection that answers the following:
- How did you feel mentally and physically after spending more time outside?
- How did your mood and energy levels compare between the two weeks?
- Were there specific activities that had the most impact?
- What surprised you during this challenge?
- Include data points, such as hours spent outside, mood ratings or the number of outdoor activities you did.
- Show a comparison of your first and second week (via a chart, diagram or timeline).
- Include creative elements (like drawings, quotes or creative visuals) that express your connection to nature.
- Include a call to action or reflection on how you’ll continue to engage with nature after this challenge.
Resources:
- Digital Journal (Save your own copy!)
- Biophilia: Does Visual Contact with Nature Impact on Health and Wellbeing - PMC
- The mental health benefits of nature: Spending time outdoors to refresh your mind - Mayo Clinic Press
- The wellness benefits of the great outdoors | US Forest Service
- Want to boost your mental health? Take a walk
- More evidence that exercise can boost mood - Harvard Health
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- 8.2.9.A Contrast the role groups and individuals from Pennsylvania played in the social, political, cultural and economic development of the U.S.
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- CC.3.5.9-10.D Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 9–10 texts and topics.
- CC.3.6.9-10.C Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to task, purpose and audience.
- CC.3.6.9-10.F Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
- CC.3.6.9-10.H Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection and research.
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- 4.1.10.E Analyze how humans influence the pattern of natural changes (e.g. primary / secondary succession and desertification) in ecosystems over time.
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- Evaluate the effect of consumer demands on the use of natural resources.
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- 4.5.10.B Describe the impact of integrated pest management practices on the environment.
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- CC.3.5.11-12.J By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 11–12 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
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- CC.3.6.11-12.F Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
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