Utah High School Students to Demonstrate Environmental
Awareness in Creative Competition
Arts and Service-learning Entries Depict Critical Thought in Environmental Issues at
the Nationally-recognized Fairchild Challenge at Thanksgiving Point
LEHI, Utah, (April 5, 2012) – More than 100 Utah high school students from Cache County to Utah
County will showcase their environment-inspired work in the Fairchild Challenge at the
Thanksgiving Point Waterfall Amphitheater, Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m.-1p.m. Students will
compete for top honors, as well as up to $1,000 for their school’s environmental program.
“Fairchild Challenge is unique in it's ability to involve students in a variety of disciplines from
music, fashion, art and science, to explore issues in the natural world,” said Dave Francis with Utah
State University Extension 4-H, a partner with Thanksgiving Point in its youth programs like
Fairchild Challenge.
Students will present entries demonstrating environmental issues, including Utah-specific
challenges, in one of seven categories at the showcase event:
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Performance – Create and perform an original song, dance or poem on water conservation
and quality in Utah; include an accompanying essay
Fashion – Design and create an article of clothing or accessory made completely from
reused and recycled materials; include descriptive narrative
Film – Create a music video, public service announcement, rap, poem or performance on
video that draws attention to Utah’s water issues; include accompanying essay
Visual Arts – Create a visual art piece (sculpture, photography, drawing, etc.) to showcase
biodiversity in Utah
Environmental Action – Develop a service-learning project that promotes conservation or
environmental awareness in your home, school or community; present report
T-shirt Design – Create a T-shirt design that raises awareness about an environmental
issue in Utah; include accompanying narrative (Entries were judged previously so that the
winning design could be printed on T-shirts and worn by Challenge participants at the
event)
Olympic Wreath (2012 bonus category) – Create an Olympic wreath design for London
2012 Summer Games from a plant species in Utah; compete with other Fairchild Challenges
across the world for a chance to have wreath displayed at the Olympic Games
The Fairchild Challenge is a multidisciplinary, environmental education competition designed to
give high school students an opportunity to express their opinions through creativity. Students
demonstrate critical thinking for the most difficult environmental issues through imaginative
outlets, and present their ideas to address these challenges. The Fairchild Challenge was designed
and initiated by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Fairchild) in Coral Gables, Fla., and supports
expansion sites, like Thanksgiving Point, around the world.
Utah schools competing in the 2012 Fairchild Challenge include (Davis County) North Layton Junior
High; (Salt Lake County) Cyprus High School, Crescent View Middle School, and Olympus Junior
High; (Utah County) Salem Hills High School; and (Cache County) InTech Collegiate High School.
The 2012 Fairchild Challenge is generously sponsored by Utah State University Extension, Union
Pacific Foundation, Qwest Foundation and the Central Utah Water Conservancy District. For more
information on the Fairchild Challenge, including how to participate in the 2013 competition, send
an email to challenge@thanksgivingpoint.org, call (801) 768-4944, or visit
thanksgivingpoint.org/challenge.
(www.thanksgivingpoint.org)
Media Visual Times:
Fairchild Challenge at the Thanksgiving Point Gardens Waterfall Amphitheater
 10:15 a.m. Performances
 11:30 a.m. Fashion Show
 1 p.m. Awards Ceremony
Media Contact:
Erica Brown
(801) 592-9688
ebrown@thanksgivingpoint.org