Middle School - Challenges at a Glance - Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

GRADES 6 to 8 | 2025-2026

Challenges at a Glance

Challenges	Submissions Due to Fairchild by 5:00 pm	Maximum Points	Maximum Number of Submissions
Educator Challenge: Seeding the Future	Friday, January 16, 2026	50	1 submission from a middle school teacher
1. Miami, My Garden – Gardens on the Go	Friday, November 7, 2025	200 (100/submission)	2 submissions
2. Curious Creators	Friday, December 19, 2025	200 (100/submission)	2 videos
3. Native Plant Network – Pollinator Garden OPTIONAL Virtual MS Garden Teacher Workshop: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. *Pollinator plant garden materials pickup at Fairchild: October 11-12, 2025	Digital entry form due Friday, January 30, 2026 Judging tour of schools: March 2-13, 2026	200	1 school garden with 1 visit from judges to hear student presentation of the garden
4. Million Orchid Project – Habitat Hotspots MANDATORY In-person Teacher Workshop: Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm **If you are unable to attend the mandatory workshop, please notify the Challenge team at challenge@fairchildgarden.org	Friday, March 20, 2026	200 (100/submission) 50 bonus points for completing datasheet	2 submissions
5. Growing Beyond Earth® Must register with GBE team and attend MANDATORY In-person or Virtual Teacher Workshop Growing Beyond Earth Student Research Symposium: Saturday, April 11, 2026 **If you are unable to attend the mandatory workshop, please notify the Challenge team at challenge@fairchildgarden.org	Trial 1 Data due Friday, November 21, 2025 (submit on GBE Data Portal) Trial 2 Proposal due Friday, December 12, 2025 Trial 2 Data due Friday, March 20, 2026 (submit on GBE Data Portal) Optional Trial 2 Presentation Due: Wednesday, April 1, 2026	300 max 150 for required Trial 1 data AND Trial 2 proposal 75 for Trial 2 data 75 bonus points for presenting at the GBE Symposium	REQUIRED: Trial 1 data, Trial 2 proposal, AND Trial 2 data Optional: 1 presentation at the GBE Symposium

Download as PDF

AWARDS and PRIZES

The Fairchild Challenge Awards Ceremony is Saturday, May 16, 2026. At this time, the following awards and prizes will be distributed:

Each middle school that earns more than 700 points will receive The Fairchild Challenge Award.
Each school that receives The Fairchild Challenge Award for five consecutive years will become a Fairchild Challenge School of Excellence.
The top-scoring schools will receive cash prizes, up to $2,500, to support their environmental programs.
Top-placing students will receive Fairchild Challenge medals and/or certificates. Special Merit winners will also be recognized.
All participating schools receive a limited quantity of four-person family passes to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden to distribute to actively participating students and teachers.