education – The FAIRCHILD CHALLENGE

Join the Fairchild Challenge!

Frequently Asked Questions

How are points assigned?

•	For each option, students will be asked to produce a final product according to the specified guidelines. Each school submits these student-produced products as their "entries." The Garden encourages schools to submit the preset maximum number of entries for each category (see summary table).
•	The entries for each option are worth a preset maximum number of points (see summary table). The point values listed here reflect the relative time commitment necessary to produce a competitive entry for each option.
•	Following the due date for each option (see summary table), the Garden will review all submitted entries for compliance to the guidelines listed in the table. Schools submitting unqualified entries will be given 48 hours to retrieve these entries, bring them into compliance, and return them to the Garden.
•	All qualifying entries will be submitted to a team of expert judges that assigns points to each entry according to a predetermined rubric.
•	The Garden will credit each school for the total points awarded to all of that school's qualifying entries.
•	The Garden will credit individual students for the total number of points awarded to all entries for which those students were listed on their school’s entry forms as a "student responsible for this entry."

Who will judge the entries?

For each option, the Garden assembles a team of judges from among the appropriate community of professions in the Chicago area. Many of these judges attend the annual awards ceremony and they look forward to meeting student participants, their teachers and their families.

How many options can our school participate in?

As many as you wish. Schools should encourage as many students as possible to attempt each option.
The Garden suggests forming a screening committee, including students, to select the best entries for the preset maximum submission to the Fairchild Challenge competition.

Do you provide assistance for materials and supplies?

Need-based scholarships are available to schools for the purchase of supplies and materials.

How do I submit my school's entries?

Schools within 15 miles of the Chicago Botanic Garden must drop off or mail their entries to:

The Fairchild Challenge
c/o Tree Sturman
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL 60022

Schools outside the 15-mile radius may choose to deliver oversized entries to a regional drop site.
All other entries should be mailed to the address above. Contact Tree Sturman at (847) 835-8343, or
e-mail for information about a drop site in your area.

May teachers or parents help students with their entries?

Teachers and parents are encouraged to support student participation in the Fairchild Challenge.
However, all entries to the Challenge must be entirely original student work.

THE GARDEN WILL ONLY ACCEPT ENTRIES FORMATTED ACCORDING TO THE GUIDELINES SPECIFIED FOR EACH OPTION. IF FOR ANY REASON YOU ARE UNABLE TO FULFILL ONE OR MORE OF THESE GUIDELINES PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE THE COMPLIANCE OF YOUR ENTRIES.

QUESTIONS? EMAIL PROGRAM STAFF OR CALL (847) 835-8343.