The Fairchild Challenge
Fairchild Challenge encourages students to:
APPRECIATE the beauty and value of nature
DEVELOP critical-thinking skills
UNDERSTAND the need for biodiversity and conservation
TAP community resources
BECOME actively engaged citizens and
RECOGNIZE that individuals do indeed make a difference.
Take the Challenge! Florida’s Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is challenging teenagers to get outdoors. Launched in 2002, The Fairchild Challenge uses state-mandated school curricula to offer exciting competitions for middle and high school students. This program opens doors for urban teens to connect with nature physically, creatively, technologically and intellectually, while building “green” school communities. To engage the youngest children, The Fairchild Challenge is now piloting an elementary school program.
The menu of interdisciplinary Challenge options varies each year, appealing to kids with diverse interests and abilities. Students research, debate, compose, perform, design, draw, build and explore, all to accrue points to help their school earn the Fairchild Challenge Award.
In culturally diverse Miami, the Fairchild Challenge has grown dramatically, currently engaging 40,000 students every year. School districts, funders and partners embrace the program for its hands-on approach to connecting youth with nature, ability to empower students, positive impact on school climate and celebratory design. As one teacher put it, “This program exposes students to nature’s beauty and helps them see their role in a changing world.” Satellite partner projects, such as the Chicago Botanic Garden Fairchild Challenge, have successfully replicated its efforts.
Now, The Fairchild Challenge plans to build on this very successful base to grow into a national movement. Educators from gardens, zoos and museums across the country are interested in modeling the program in their own communities. Over the next 5 years, the Garden seeks to expand The Fairchild Challenge to 20 cities, inviting new teachers and millions of urban youth to take the Challenge! Imagine kids, teachers and partners everywhere, blogging, pod-casting, sharing photos and videos, comparing data and lobbying to attend summer institutes, while promoting environmental awareness, scholarship and stewardship. This is our Challenge. Join us!
To Learn More
Caroline Lewis or Scott Sasich
fairchildchallenge@fairchildgarden.org
10901 Old Cutler Road,
Coral Gables, FL, 33156
305.663.8076
www.fairchildchallenge.org
