For Individuals or Groups (2–5 students per group) — Maximum points: 200 (100 per entry; 2 entries per school)
YOUR CHALLENGE: Our perception of plants and what we define as beautiful has fascinated philosophers and researchers throughout the ages. A recent study found that even botanists were more inclined to research flashy plants as opposed to their ordinary counterparts. To redefine our standard of botanical beauty, photograph a nondescript, often overlooked plant to visually capture its beauty. Photographs should include a written description detailing what features make it distinguishable and beautiful. Downloadable PDF
ENTRY SUBMISSION: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 by 5:00 pm
Electronically submit the following:
Uploaded PDF file to entry form includes:
- Photographs
- Description
- Bibliography
| ✓ Entry Requirements: |
| | Entry must be labeled with school name, student name(s) |
| | Photograph, written description and bibliography must be saved as a single pdf file and uploaded on entry form. PDF file name must include school name and student name |
| | Photograph must feature a nondescript, often overlooked plant that redefines our standard of botanical beauty |
| | Original photos may be color or black-and-white with limited editing permitted |
| | Photograph must be in .jpg or .png format and must be at least 1,600 pixels wide (if a horizontal image) or 1,600 (if a vertical image). There is a maximum file size of 50 MB per image. Images should be in RGB or sRGB format. Computer-generated designs will not be accepted |
| | Typed description must be maximum of two pages, double-spaced, and include: its natural history and details on what features make it distinguishable and beautiful |
| | Bibliography citing a minimum of 2 sources, following MLA or APA format |
| | On-time entry submission (late entries may not receive points) |
FAIRCHILD FIELD TRIP EXTENSION:
Bring your class on a virtual field trip at Fairchild. Please visit Explorer Field Trip Programs for more information.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
For more information on how your submission will be evaluated, see Challenge 1 Evaluation Sheet
STATE ACADEMIC STANDARDS:
This Challenge meets various state standards, visit Challenge 1 Benchmarks
CHALLENGE RESOURCES:
Nature: Flashy plants draw outsize share of scientists’ attention
Wired: Scientist keep ignoring ugly plants. That’s bad
Adamo et al. 2021: Plant scientist’s research attention is skewed towards colourful, conspicuous and broadly distributed flowers
Botanical Art and Artists: Famous Botanical Photographers
