2018-2019 Fairchild Challenge Awards Announced!

By Emily Johns, High School Program Coordinator

Congratulations to all of our 2018-2019 Fairchild Challenge participants!  Through this year’s challenges you’ve researched people, plants and natural systems; created inspiring artwork; designed innovative rainwater solutions; summarized data in catchy infographics and redefined your schools’ dances and proms.  You’ve inspired and motivated those in your homes, schools and communities with your passion for and dedication to the environment.  Keep up the great work! You are change-makers and we are honored to been a part of your journey this year. 

To all of the students who take part in these challenges—you remind us that individuals can and do make a difference by committing to actions that better our communities and motivating others to do the same.  We wish you all a great summer, and we look forward to all of your future accomplishments!

And to our teachers—the Fairchild Challenge would not be possible without the devoted educators who implement these challenges. Thank you for your hard work and your willingness to take on extra responsibilities.

 

Congratulations to our overall winners for the 2018-2019 Fairchild Challenge:

 

Middle School

Third Places:

Penn Middle School

Holy Trinity School

Trafford Middle School

 

Second Place:

Carson Middle School

 

First Place:

Woodland Hills Academy (pictured below)

 

High School

Third Places:

Norwin High School

Penn-Trafford High School

Central Catholic High School

 

Second Place:

West Mifflin Area High School (pictured below)

 

First Place:

Shaler Area High School (pictured below)

 

Patti Burns Prize for Excellence in Communication and Media

Woodland Hills Academy, video by Zoe Spear and Lucy Elston
Penn-Trafford High School, video by Talitha Brobst, Sydney Herrmann and Dakota Dandrea

View these students’ “Urban Gardens Infomercial” video submissions here.

 

Take a look at the accomplishments of the students this year:

Middle School Award Ceremony presentation

High School Award Ceremony presentation

 

Congratulations to all of the winners! We hope all of you will continue to think about how our actions affect the planet. 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 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.

 

Photographs taken by Phipps’ Research and Science Education staff and volunteers.