# The Fairchild Challenge

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's interdisciplinary environmental science competition for PreK-12 schools. Students accrue points across multiple annual challenges; schools share $75,000+ in prizes.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden |
| Category | stem |
| Cost | Not listed |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 6–12 |
| Format | In person |
| Location | Coral Gables, FL |
| Apply | https://www.fairchildgarden.org/education/the-fairchild-challenge/ |

## About this program

# The Fairchild Challenge

The Fairchild Challenge is Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's interdisciplinary environmental science competition, designed to engage students of diverse interests, abilities, talents, and backgrounds in exploring the natural world. Schools opt into any number of the year's challenges and accumulate points across the school year, with winning entries earning awards and prizes.

## What You'll Do

- Take on themed environmental challenges released each school year for elementary, middle, and high school divisions
- Work across disciplines - science, art, writing, debate, design - on real conservation questions
- Plant native and endangered species in schoolyards as part of the Garden's restoration work
- Present entries for judging by Fairchild staff, partner environmental organizations, professional researchers, and government departments
- Compete alongside hundreds of schools across the region

## Who Should Apply

Students in grades 6-12 participate through a registered teacher or school administrator (the Challenge also runs elementary and PreK divisions). Teachers register as Challenge Teachers on Fairchild's site; the Garden hosts an annual Launch and Brunch for middle and high school educators before the season begins.

## Outcomes

More than 76,000 students at 356-plus schools participated in the 2025-2026 school year, and 1,500 native endangered plants were planted in schoolyards. Fairchild annually awards schools more than $75,000 in prizes, equipment, and garden grants, and the program is recognized as a benchmark for exceptional STEM education.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is eligible for The Fairchild Challenge?

The Fairchild Challenge is open to students in grades 6–12 (middle and high school). Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is The Fairchild Challenge online or in person?

The Fairchild Challenge is an in-person program based in Coral Gables, FL.

### How do I apply to The Fairchild Challenge?

Apply directly through Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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