Challenge 5
Welcome to the high school challenge page for Challenge 5 of the Fairchild Challenge! Read below to find challenge information, entry requirements, resources and more for the challenge.
Challenge D: Botanical Sculptures
Title: “Journey of Sustainable Soles”
For individuals or Groups | Maximum points: 200
Due Date: Fri., March 13 by 5 p.m.
Download the Challenge 5 Rubric
Your Challenge:
This challenge invites you to reflect on your personal journey toward sustainability while expressing your creativity through sculpture. Shoes tell powerful stories—they carry us through everyday routines, major life changes, and the paths we choose for the future. Your task is to design and create a 3D sculpture of a pair of shoes (heels, sneakers, boots, sandals, or any style you choose) that represents your journey in sustainability. Think about where you started, what you’ve learned, and where you hope to go. How have your habits, values, or awareness around the environment changed over time?
Your shoe sculpture must be made entirely from reused or recycled materials, transforming items that might otherwise be discarded into something meaningful. As you design, consider how the materials you choose connect to your message. Consider how your design represents obstacles, growth, progress, or hope. Your sculpture should be both a personal reflection and a statement about the importance of sustainability.
Along with your sculpture, you will write a brief description explaining your concept, materials used, and personal sustainable narrative. Take time to think deeply about how your artwork reflects sustainability in your own life and why this topic matters to you.
Materials for the sculptures cannot be purchased new; they must be found at home or school, recycled, or purchased from a secondhand store. We highly recommend visiting the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse for a wide variety of sculpture-crafting materials! (Please do not use food or living materials.)
Select sculptures from this challenge will be featured in Phipps’ 2026 summer show – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Therefore, each sculpture MUST be original and include a photo and description. A very limited number of well-made sculptures will be displayed.
Entry Requirements: Deliver to the high school programs coordinator at Phipps in person or via certified mail (electronic submission is not accepted):
- Challenge Entry Form
- A sculpted pair of shoes created using found, recycled, or thrifted materials (NO LIVE PLANT MATERIAL OR GLITTER).
- Sculptures should be creative, well-constructed, and COLORFUL!
- Sculptures must be 3D and no larger than 2ft by 2ft and free standing.
- Include the school name and the participating students’ names.
*Along with each sculpture, please submit a photo of the designer(s) and a written description. The description should include:
- A bio for each designer (name, grade, school, and a little bit about yourself and your interests).
- The materials you used and where they came from.
- An artist statement (50–250 words) explaining how your shoe sculpture represents your personal sustainability journey and the meaning behind your design choices.
School Submits: Challenge Entry Form, 3 sculptures MAXIMUM, photo of designer(s), description/bios.
Address:
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
The Fairchild Challenge c/o Alyssa Mulé
One Schenley Park
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Resources: The following list of online resources may be used when preparing your entry:
- Sustainability Topics - Sustainability - Research Guides at UCLA Library
- Topics - Sustainable Earth
- Sustainability: Protecting Nature and Promoting a Healthy Planet | World Wildlife Fund
- Young people take the lead for a more sustainable future | UN News
- EU–UNESCO Partnership: Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future
- Youth - United Nations Sustainable Development
- Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development Goals
- Shoe Sculpture Examples
- CC.3.5.9-10.A Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations or descriptions.
- 3.1.10.A8 Investigate the spatial relationships of organisms’ anatomical features using specimens, models, or computer programs.
- 3.1.10.B1 Describe how genetic information is inherited and expressed.
- 3.1.10.C1 Explain the mechanisms of biological evolution.
- 4.1.10.D Research practices that impact biodiversity in specific ecosystems.
- Analyze the relationship between habitat changes to plant and animal population fluctuations.
- CC.3.5.11-12.A Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies in the account.
- CC.3.5.11-12.I Synthesize information from a range of sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible.
- CC.3.6.11-12.C Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
- 3.1.12.B4 Evaluate the societal impact of genetic engineering techniques and applications.
- 3.1.12.C1 Analyze how natural selection leads to speciation.
- 4.1.12.A Analyze the significance of biological diversity in an ecosystem.
- Explain how species adapt to limiting factors in an ecosystem.
- Analyze the differences between natural causes and human causes of extinction.
- Research wildlife management laws and their effects on biodiversity.
- 4.1.12.D Analyze the effects of new and emerging technologies on biodiversity in specific ecosystems.
- Evaluate the impact of laws and regulations on reducing the number of threatened and endangered species.
- 4.5.12.A Research how technology influences the sustainable use of natural resources.
- Analyze how consumer demands drive the development of technology enabling the sustainable use of natural resources.
- 9.1.12.E Delineate a unifying theme through the production of a work of art that reflects skills in media processes and techniques.
