Challenge 1
Welcome to the middle school challenge page for Challenge 1 of the Fairchild Challenge! Read below to find challenge information, entry requirements, resources and more for the challenge.
Challenge 1: Biologic Sculpture
Title: Phipps’ Fairchild Climate Tails
For groups | Maximum points: 200
Due Date: Fri., Oct. 24, 2025 by 5 p.m.
Download the Challenge 1 Rubric Here
Your Challenge:
When we think about climate change, we often picture melting glaciers or endangered polar bears—but what about the animals living right next to us? Pets, farm animals and local wildlife are all feeling the effects of a warming planet in ways we can see and often feel ourselves. Rising temperatures, stronger storms, droughts and other changes can put stress on animals we care about and depend on. From overheated dogs and cats to water scarcity on chicken farms and less native plants for bees, these impacts can hit close to home. Luckily, the more we understand, the more we can do to help!
Your challenge is to create a set of 3 – 10 ornament sculptures made entirely out of “found objects” and recycled materials that raise awareness about how climate change affects our pets, farm animals and wildlife local to Western PA. Think creatively about how you can use your art to educate others and inspire action—whether it’s conserving water, planting trees for shade or learning how to keep animals safe during unexpected weather events. Alongside your sculptures, you'll write a 1 – 2 page paper for each animal sculpted, describing how they are impacted and what we can do to help.
Finished sculptures should be no larger than 5” x 5” x 5” and should weigh no more than two pounds. Sculptures should not contain any food or edible ingredients (including wheat, seeds or pinecones). Select sculptures from this challenge will be featured in Phipps’ Winter Flower Show. Therefore, each sculpture must have a securely-fastened string or wire so that it can be hung on display. A limited number of sculptures will be displayed.
Entry Requirements:
Deliver to the science education coordinator at Phipps in person or via certified mail (electronic submission is not accepted for this challenge):
- Challenge Entry Form
- Each sculpture MUST be labeled with the participating school and students’ names
- Create an animal sculpture using found or recycled materials
- Each finished sculpture should be no larger than 5” x 5” x 5” and should weigh no more than two pounds and should have a securely-fastened string or wire to be hung on display.
- For each pet, farm animal or fauna ornament you sculpt, write a short paper describing how you made the sculpture, describe how the animal is impacted by climate change and what solutions have and can be taken to mitigate the effects. The paper should be 1–2 pages with 12 point font and 1-inch margins and it should include a Works Cited with at least 3 sources.
School Submits:
Challenge Entry Form, 3 – 10 sculptures (Please note: submitting fewer than 3 sculptures will result in a lower score on this project.)
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.
- Climate Change and Companion Animals: Identifying Links and Opportunities for Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies - PMC
- Climate Change Impacts on Agriculture and Food Supply | US EPA
- Climate change: impact on livestock and how can we adapt - PMC
- Climate change in poultry production | The Poultry Site
- How to protect your pet from climate change » Yale Climate Connections
- Climate Change | Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
- Species at Risk in Pennsylvania - Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
- How Climate Change Will Affect Birds in Pennsylvania | Audubon
- Identifying Species and Natural Communities in Pennsylvania Potentially
- A Year of Conservation Results in Pennsylvania
- 5 Ways Communities can Protect Wildlife in a Changing Climate [factsheet] | Extension
Standards:
Read below to find the standards for each grade level for Challenge 1 of the Middle School Fairchild Challenge
- CC.1.2.6.A Determine the central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
- CC.1.2.6.B Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences and/or generalizations drawn from the text.
- CC.1.2.6.C Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text.
- CC.1.2.6.L Read and comprehend literary non-fiction and informational text on grade level, reading independently and proficiently.
- CC.1.3.6.B Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences and/or generalizations drawn from the text.
- CC.1.4.6.A Write informative/ explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information clearly.
- CC.1.4.6.C Develop and analyze the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples; include graphics and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
- CC.1.4.6.G Write arguments to support claims.
- CC.1.4.6.H Introduce and state an opinion on a topic.
- CC.1.4.6.I Use clear reasons and relevant evidence to support claims, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic.
- CC.1.4.6.J Organize the claim(s) with clear reasons and evidence clearly; clarify relationships among claim(s) and reasons by using words, phrases, and clauses; provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented.
- CC.1.4.6.V Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
- CC.3.5.6-8.A Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
- CC.3.6.6-8.H Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis reflection, and research.
- 4.1.6.D Explain the costs and benefits of recycling in controlling resource use.
- 4.4.6.A Explain how different plants and animals in the United States have specific growing requirements related to climate and soil conditions.
- CC.1.2.7.B Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences, conclusions, and/or generalizations drawn from the text.
- CC.1.4.7.A Write informative/ explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information clearly.
- CC.1.4.7.B Identify and introduce the topic clearly, including a preview of what is to follow.
- CC.1.4.7.C Develop and analyze the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples; include graphics and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
- CC.1.4.7.G Write arguments to support claims.
- CC.1.4.7.H Introduce and state an opinion on a topic.
- CC.3.5.6-8.A Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
- CC.3.5.6-8.E Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to an understanding of the topic.
- 3.5.6-8.H Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
- CC.3.6.6-8.H Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis reflection, and research.
- 3.1.7.B5 PATTERNS; Compare and contrast observable patterns in the physical characteristics across families, strains and species.
