Challenge 6

Welcome to the high school challenge page for Challenge 6 of the Fairchild Challenge! Read below to find challenge information, entry requirements, resources and more for the challenge.

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Challenge 6

Title: Branch Out

For individuals or groups | Maximum points: 200

Due Date: Fri., April 10, 2026 by 5 p.m.

Download Challenge 6 Rubric

Your Challenge:

Take on the role of a researcher and uncover the powerful connections between tree health and human health in your own neighborhood! In this research challenge, you are tasked with examining how the condition and distribution of trees may influence the well-being of the people who live nearby. Begin by collecting data on local trees—such as species, canopy cover, evidence of disease or damage, shade coverage and overall vitality. Then, research community health indicators in the same area, including air quality, temperature (heat island effect), access to green space, asthma rates, mental wellness benefits, walkability or neighborhood resources. 

As you analyze your findings, focus specifically on identifying intersections: Do areas with healthier or more abundant trees show cooler temperatures? Is there a relationship between tree canopy and air quality? Could access to shaded green spaces influence physical activity or stress levels? Be clear about what patterns you observe, what evidence supports your conclusions and where questions remain. Your goal is not just to describe trees or community statistics separately, but to explain how they may be connected. 

Your research should be presented on a large trifold poster board and include a clear research question, data collection methods, labeled visuals (charts, graphs, maps or photographs), a written analysis of at least three specific tree–community health connections and a minimum of three credible Works Cited sources. Through this challenge, you will strengthen your research and critical thinking skills while developing a deeper understanding of how environmental stewardship directly impacts the health and resilience of communities. 

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Entry Requirements: Deliver to the High School Programs Coordinator at Phipps in-person.

• Challenge Entry Form
• For completion by individual students or small groups
• Maximum Number of Entries per School: 2 
• Research should be presented in a large trifold poster board format and include a clear research question, data collection methods, labeled visuals (charts, graphs, maps or photographs), a written analysis of at least three specific tree–community health connections and a minimum of three credible Works Cited sources.

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Resources: 

• Urban Trees - Which Species are Best for Cities? - One More Tree Foundation 
  • Information of variety of trees and benefits of each 
• The Number of Trees in Your Neighborhood May Affect Your Health Outcomes | Urban Institute 
  • Local cooling effects from trees 
  • Strategies for tree planting 
• How do trees and green spaces enhance our health? - Harvard Health 
  •  Benefits from trees and green spaces 
    •  Cooling effect 
    •  Children’s health and development 
• How Urban Trees Can Save Lives 
  •  Positive impact trees can have in urban life 
  •  Includes case study from Indonesia and USA 
• Planting Healthy Air (Came from the source above ^) 
  • Interactive map that shows the results on tree plantings across the globe 
  • Shows results about particulate matter concentration and temperate cooling 
• PGH Environmental Map  
  • Local environmental map 
  •  More maps here... Shade Tree Plans, Reports, & Resources - Pittsburgh, PA 
• GlobalUsefulNativeTrees, a database documenting 14,014 tree species, supports synergies between biodiversity recovery and local livelihoods in landscape restoration - PMC 
  • Information about different countries and different tree species 
  • How different tree species do better in different environments 
• GlobalUsefulNativeTree  
• The little-known physical and mental health benefits of urban trees » Yale Climate Connections 
  •  Physical and mental benefits of urban trees 
• 5 Reasons We Need Trees for a Healthy Planet - Earth Day 
  •  Environmental benefits, purifying from air pollution 
  •  Biodiversity and human / animal health benefits 
  •  Protecting against flashfloods and water pollution 
• Factsheet - Caring for New Trees 
  • Ways trees and the environment can help reduce harm, restore health, and encourage positive physical activities 
• Public_Health_Benefits_Urban_Trees_FINAL.pdf 
  • Why people aren’t investing in trees 
  • How trees benefit business / property values 
  • Public health benefits and city benefits from trees 

• Grades Nine – Twelve

Grades Nine – Twelve

• 3.1.9-12.N Students who demonstrate understanding can design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity. 
• 3.4.9-12.A Students who demonstrate understanding can analyze and interpret how issues, trends, technologies, and policies impact agricultural, food, and environmental systems and resources. 
• 3.4.9-12.D Students who demonstrate understanding can apply research and analytical skills to systematically investigate environmental issues ranging from local issues to those that are regional or global in scope. 
• 3.4.9-12.E Students who demonstrate understanding can plan and conduct an investigation utilizing environmental data about a local environmental issue. 
• 3.4.9-12.I Students who demonstrate understanding can analyze and interpret data on a regional environmental condition and its implications on environmental justice and social equity. 
• 3.4.9-12.H Students who demonstrate understanding can design and evaluate solutions in which individuals and societies can promote stewardship in environmental quality and community well-being. 
• 10.2.9.E Explain the interrelationship between the environment and personal health. 
  • ozone layer/skin cancer 
  • availability of health care/ individual health 
  • air pollution/respiratory disease 
  • breeding environments/ lyme disease/west nile virus 
• 4.1.10.B Explain the consequences of interrupting natural cycles. 
• 4.1.10.E Analyze how humans influence the pattern of natural changes (e.g. primary / secondary succession and desertification) in ecosystems over time. 
• 4.3.10.B Analyze how humans manage and distribute natural resources.  
  • Describe the use of a natural resource with an emphasis on the environmental consequences of extracting, processing, transporting, using, and disposing of it. 
  • Analyze the impact of technology on the management, distribution, and disposal of natural resources. 
• 4.1.10.D Research practices that impact biodiversity in specific ecosystems. 
  • Analyze the relationship between habitat changes to plant and animal population fluctuations. 
• 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.E Research solutions addressing human impacts on ecosystems over time. 
• 4.3.12.B Analyze factors that influence the local, regional, national, and global availability of natural resources.  
  • Compare the use of natural resources in different countries. 
  • Analyze the social, economic, and political factors that affect the distribution of natural resources (e.g., wars, political systems, classism, racism). 
• 10.2.12.E Analyze the interrelationship between environmental factors and community health. 
  • public health policies and laws/health promotion and disease prevention 
  • individual choices/maintenance of environment  
  • recreational opportunities/ health status 

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