Fairchild Challenge at Phipps: Challenge #3 Winners Announced!

By Alyssa Mulé, High School Programs Coordinator

Thank you to the many high schools and middle schools that submitted entries for Challenge #3. 

Challenge #3: In the Field was this years Media-Journalism Challenge. Previously a bonus jackpot challenge, this year, Challenge #3 was integrated as one of the six official challenges. In this challenge, high school and middle school students were asked to think like a reporter, developing questions to interview their peers about and have real conversations that uncover what their classmates care about when it comes to nature. They were asked to inquire about what inspires them, how they spend time outdoors, and why the environment matters. The goals was for students to strengthen their skills in active listening, empathy, and ability to connect through common interests. Students then brought these interviews to life through videos and podcasts. Each submission had it's own unique twist and throughly intertained our judges! We are very proud of all the hard work you put into this challenge. Congratulations to all of the incredibly creative, kind, and brilliant students who completed this challenge! And, thank you to all the educators who continue to support their students throughout the Phipps Fairchild Challenge!

And the winners are:

High School

First Place: Keystone Oaks High School: Alisha Thapa, Alisha Apollon, Jasper Dalessandri-Fetterman

Second Place: Shaler Area High School: Nick Mulkerin

Third Place: Gateway High School: Piper Munyon

Special Merit: West Mifflin Area High School: Sydney Carter, Gianna Doswell

Middle School

First Place: Fort Cherry Jr. High School: Jonah Amsler

Second Place: Wendover Middle School: Katherine Borelli, Emma Peters, Sadie Ragland

Third Place: Delahunty Middle School (Hermitage): Isabelle Wanchisn, Julia Haywood, Evalina Malenky

We would like to give a special shout out to our panelists from Saturday Light Brigade!   Thank you for lending us your expertise!

Have questions? 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 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.