For the last two years, Bok Tower Gardens education staff has been hosting The Fairchild Challenge, an environmental education outreach program and competition designed by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens in Miami. Middle schools throughout Polk County are invited to participate in this satellite program by completing Challenge options ranging from writing and art, graphic design and video production, to school gardening and botanical fashion design.
Polk County teachers and students that participated in this year’s Fairchild Challenge joined us at the Gardens on May 18 for an Awards Ceremony where the winners were announced. We’re proud to showcase some of their work and announce the winners of this year’s Challenge. The three top-scoring schools were awarded $1,000, $500, or $250, to support or enhance environmental activities at their school.
Take a look at some of this year’s student entries
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And this year’s winners are…
| Option | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
| Newsletter | McLaughlin Middle School | Southwest Middle School | McLaughlin Middle School & Southwest Middle School |
| Art | Edward W. Bok Academy | McLaughlin Middle School | Southwest Middle School |
| Logo | McLughlin Middle School | Southwest Middle School & McLaughlin Middle School | Southwest Middle School |
| Video | Southwest Middle School | McLaughlin Middle School | Edward W. Bok Academy |
| Global Challenge | McLaughlin Middle School | Edward W. Bok Academy | McLughline Middle School |
Overall School Awards
| 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
| McLaughlin Middle School & Fine Arts Academy | Southwest Middle School | Edward W. Bok Academy |