Challenge 4

Welcome to the middle school challenge page for Challenge 4 of the Fairchild Challenge! Read below to find challenge information, entry requirements, resources and more for the challenge.

Challenge 4: Fine Arts

Title: “Through Nature’s Eyes”
For individuals or groups | Maximum points: 200

Due: Fri., Feb. 6, 2026 by 5 p.m. 

Download the Challenge 4 Rubric Here

Your Challenge:

In this challenge, we invite you to explore a perspective beyond your own. To do this, you are going to choose an animal, plant or natural force, and write a short story or poem from its point of view. You could pick anything from a city-dwelling raccoon to a towering Ginko tree to a flash of lightning. Take into consideration questions like “what does your character notice that humans often ignore?” “What does it love, fear or is challenged by?” Use your imagination and research to give your chosen creature or element of nature a voice, personality and distinct point of view.

Along with your short story or poem, we ask that you bring your character to life visually by creating a 2D illustration reflecting how your character sees the world. Whether that’s peaceful, chaotic, humorous or mysterious. Your artwork doesn’t have to be fully realistic, but it does have to capture the essence of your character’s perspective in an informed way and connect to your short story or poem.

Your 2D artwork should be either 8.5” x 11” or 16” x 20” inches. Select pieces will be displayed in Phipps’ Center for Sustainable Landscapes Gallery.

Entry Requirements: Submit up to 3 entries to the high school programs coordinator, Alyssa Mulé, at Phipps in person or via certified mail (submission can be made electronically at amule@phipps.conservatory.org):

• Challenge Entry Form
• Include school name and participating students’ names
• A 2D artwork to capture the essence of your character’s perspective and connect to your short story or poem
• Your 2D artwork should be either 8.5” x 11” or 16” x 20” inches
• A one page poem or 1-2 page short story
• Works Cited with at least 2 sources

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:

• Habitats | National Geographic Kids 
• Habitat 
• How do other animals see the world? | Natural History Museum 
• How Weather Works | Center for Science Education 
• Basic Weather Education 
• How the Ocean Works - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 
• All About the Ocean 
• Urban Wildlife Guidebook | EngagePgh 
• Urban Wildlife Basics — The Urban Wildlife Working Group 
• The Secret Life Of Urban Wildlife - Wildlife SOS 

Standards: 
Read below to find the standards for each grade level for Challenge 4 of the Middle School Fairchild Challenge

• Grade Six – Eight

Grade Six – Eight

• 9.1.8.E Communicate a unifying theme or point of view through the production of works in the arts.
• CC.1.2.7.L Read and comprehend literary non-fiction and informational text on grade level, reading independently and proficiently.
• CC.1.4.6.F Demonstrate a grade-appropriate command of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
• CC.1.4.6.L Demonstrate a grade-appropriate command of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
• CC.1.4.6.N Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a narrator and/or characters.
• CC.1.4.6.O Use narrative techniques such as dialogue, description, and pacing, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters; use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
• CC.1.4.6.P Organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically, using a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another; provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences and events.
• CC.1.4.6.S Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research, applying grade-level reading standards for literature and literary nonfiction.
• CC.1.4.6.T With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
• CC.1.4.6.W Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of other while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources
• CC.1.4.7.M Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events.
• CC.1.4.7.T With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
• CC.1.4.7.U Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to and citing sources.
• CC.1.4.8.B Identify and introduce the topic clearly, including a preview of what is to follow.
• CC.1.4.8.F Demonstrate a grade-appropriate command of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
• CC.1.4.8.N Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters.
• CC.1.5.8.F Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to add interest, clarify information, and strengthen claims and evidence.

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