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Challenges at a Glance

ChallengesDue to Fairchild by 5:00 pmMaximum PointsMaximum Number of Entries
Educator Challenge – Challenge Accepted Wednesday,
October 7, 2020		501 Challenge
1. Botanical BreakthroughWednesday,
October 28, 2020		200
(100/entry)		2 inventions
2. Connect to Protect Network – Environmental Short Film
*OPTIONAL Student Workshop: Thursday, October 29th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Wednesday,
November 18, 2020		2001 video
3. Growing Beyond Earth
*REQUIRED Teacher Workshop: Wednesday, September 23 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm OR Saturday, September 26th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Proposal due: December 16, 2020
Data due: January 13, 2021

Final Project due:
April 7, 2021

450
(50 proposal/150 data/
150 poster/100 symposium)

1 poster
4. Green Cuisine – Pantry-based CookbookWednesday,
January 27, 2021		2001 cookbook
5. Environmental Debate Tournament
*Event: Saturday, February 13th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm		Saturday,
February 13, 2021

300
(75/student)

4 students
6. Green Treasures – Fairchild’s Pharmacy
*OPTIONAL Student Workshop: Friday, January 15th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Wednesday,
March 3, 2021		 200
(100/entry)		2 podcasts
7. The Million Orchid Project
*REQUIRED Teacher Workshop: Saturday, November 7th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm		Wednesday,
April 28, 2021

300
(150 data/150 pamphlet)

1 pamphlet
OPTIONAL  Global Challenge – Unsung Plant Scientists
 Wednesday,
April 21, 2021		100 bonus points
(50/entry)		2 trading cards
OPTIONAL Plant Awareness Disparity Index (PADI) SurveyThe last day to submit student surveys will be Wednesday,
April 28, 2021		50 bonus points
(2/survey; Up to 50)		N/A

*All workshops and events take virtually. Meeting login information will be emailed at least 24 hrs prior to the event. For more information, contact challenge9-12@fairchildgarden.org. Downloadable PDF – REVISED 09-23

AWARDS and PRIZES 

The Fairchild Challenge Awards Ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Fairchild’s Garden House. More information regarding the event will be available the first week of May. At this time, the following awards and prizes will be distributed:

  • Each middle school that earns more than 1200 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 sixteen (16) top-scoring schools will receive cash prizes, up to $1,500, to support their environmental programs.
  • Top-placing students will receive Fairchild Challenge medals and/or certificates. Special Merit winners will also be recognized.
  • Top-scoring group entries will receive medals and/or trophies.
  • 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. 
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