Phipps Stories
2025-2026 Fairchild Challenge at Phipps: Challenge #2 Winners Announced!
Thank you to the many schools that submitted entries for Challenge #2!
High School
High School Challenge 2: Playlist for Peace was created to showcase how we can communicate about climate change through a variety of mediums, including art and music. In this challenge, students stepped into the role of musician-activists, blending art, storytelling, and environmental awareness into powerful original “records.” They designed striking 2D album covers and curated five-song track lists centered on issues they care deeply about—from climate change and ocean pollution to environmental justice and eco-anxiety—using music as a lens to explore and communicate complex ideas. Each song was thoughtfully explained to show how it connected to their chosen theme, and some students even went a step further by recording original tracks. With guidance and encouragement from dedicated educators, students demonstrated creativity, critical thinking, and courage, proving that music and visual art can be meaningful tools for inspiring dialogue, empathy, and action for our planet. Artwork from this challenge id currently on display in the Center for Sustainable Landscapes Gallery.
And the High School winners are:
First Place: Woodland Hills High School: Avee Farrar, Annabel Johnson
Second Place: Shaler Area High School: Aubrielle Costic
Third Place: West Mifflin Area High School: Tegan Newberry-Magwood, Raniyah Wellington
Special Merit: Shaler Area High School: Elise Williams
Special Merit: Woodland Hills High School: Zoey Bostard, Cameron Peretti, Beckett Ciocco
High School Audio Submission Recognitions:
Central Catholic High School: Clark Sipes
Gateway High School: Piper Munyon
Middle School
In Middle School Challenge 2: Allies and Advocates, students became researchers, artists, and storytellers as they explored the inspiring work of young environmental activists from around the world. Students transformed what they learned into creative, handmade zines designed to educate and motivate their peers. Filled with original drawings, powerful quotes, fun facts, and practical ideas for taking action, each zine reflected both the passion of the student creator and the impact of youth-led environmental movements. With the support of their educators, students showed that activism can start at any age. Sharing stories, creativity, and care for the planet is a powerful first step toward change.
And the Middle School winners are:
First Place Tie: Fort Cherry Jr. High School: Janna Al Ibad, Morgan Cornali
Second Place: North Hills Middle School: Regan Schall
Third Place: Mars Area Middle School: Everly Henderson, Emma Johnston, Mary Rhenish
Special Merit: Carson Middle School: Ira Vyawahare
Challenge B Elementary School Highlights!
In Challenge B: Planet to Plate, elementary school students explored where their favorite foods come from by creating 3D sculptures of meals using reused and recycled materials. They also illustrated the life cycle of one or more ingredients, learning how food travels from farms and nature to their plates. With guidance from their educators, students made thoughtful connections between food, the environment, and everyday choices, showing creativity and curiosity throughout the process.
Hermitage School District: Ionta Elementary School
Tenth Street Elementary
We would like to give a special shout out to panelists: Ivy Ryan (Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy), Gabs Marshall (Phipps Conservatory), Charlotte Fong (Phipps Conservatory Volunteer), Alexa Sinatra (Phipps Conservatory), Gena Kovalcik (Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation, Pitt), Samantha Chan (Pitt Office of Sustainability), Amber Stacey (Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy), Emma Luther (Phipps Master Gardener Student) 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.
