The Fairchild Challenge
Fairchild Challenge Blog
Looking for the latest Fairchild Challenge program updates, from challenge announcements to student galleries and more? Find them here on our blog!
The Fairchild Challenge is a free, multidisciplinary, standards-based environmental education outreach program designed to give high school, middle school and — new this year — elementary school students an opportunity to creatively shine. By appealing to their innate sense of curiosity about the world around them, the Challenge invites students to investigate the thorniest environmental issues, devise imaginative and effective responses to these issues, and take action to address them.
The Fairchild Challenge was designed and initiated by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables (Miami), Florida and adopted by Phipps as a satellite partner in 2008. The Fairchild Challenge offers a menu of interdisciplinary challenges for grades 6 – 8 and 9 – 12, along with a limited number of challenges for grades 2 – 5, 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.
How to Participate
2020 – 2021 Registration Forms
A Fairchild Challenge team at your school, typically consisting of teachers in a variety of disciplines, submits one middle school or high school registration form. All faculty and administration should be notified that your school is registering. Click here to register for the 2020 – 2021 Fairchild Challenge.
Elementary School Challenge
Click here to view the elementary school challenge information
Middle School Challenge
Click here to view the middle school challenge information
High School Challenge
Click here to view the high school challenge information
Submitting an Entry
Following the specific policies and requirements, teachers submit the best entries with a Challenge Entry Form. Panels from Phipps and the greater community then evaluate the work. Click here to submit your entry.
Additional Resources
Program Policies
Additional details on challenge requirements, responsilibilies, permissions and other topics may be found in the document below.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, you may also wish to contact High School Program Coordinator Emily Johns at ejohns@phipps.conservatory.org.
The Fairchild Challenge Mission
The Fairchild Chall fosters interest in the environment by encouraging students to appreciate the beauty and value of nature, develop critical-thinking skills, understand the need for biodiversity and conservation, tap community resources, become actively engaged citizens and recognize that individuals do indeed make a difference.
This program is made possible by the generous support of the Grable Foundation and the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit Program.
Photo © Kristi Hoffman
