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 | 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 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 Trial 2 Proposal due Trial 2 Data due Optional Trial 2 | 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 |
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.
