According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of environmental scientists and ecologists is steadily growing. Part of the reason could easily be the increasing number of botanical gardens around the world and the number of activities for children inside of them. Carlynton School District is lucky to have a garden less than 20 minutes from its community. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was constructed in 1893 as a gift to the city of Pittsburgh. Including this year, and five years prior, our local conservatory has hosted a middle school and high school event called the Eco-Challenge. This educational event teaches of the different works and wonders an environmental scientist can do to make real and positive change in the world. This year approximately 25 students in grades 6, 7, and 8 in the Gifted and Enrichment program attended the Eco Challenge at Phipps on September 12, 2019.Next to Phipps is a school-sized building powered entirely by solar power. In that building the
Carlynton students interviewed different ecologists and environmental scientists and saw the
different roles that can be carried out through these various careers. Next, the students explored
the garden, where they participated in a scavenger hunt to find different plant types. This amazing
garden is home to hundreds of endemic Cuban plants and thousands more from other ecosystems.
The only reason this astounding array of plant diversity could be brought to our city is because of
the hardworking scientists here and in surrounding communities.
Once the Carlynton students completed the activities for the day at Phipps, they were offered
another set of challenges to become involved in, which is an extension of the Eco-Challenge.
These challenges are collectively named the Fairchild Challenge, and it consists of challenges
that demonstrate the impact kids can have on the environment. The Fairchild Challenge
proposes a variety of hands-on ways to create sustainability in our environment. A series of
different challenges run throughout the remainder of the school year, with specific due dates.
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners earn $500 for their school! So cheer on the Cougars who
were lucky enough to tour and learn about the many ways that we can support, care for, and
sustain our precious environment.
By Uzochi Orji, 7th grade student
This was a very well-written and well-informed article; you gave a summary of important information while simultaneously providing information to enrich the reader's knowledge of Phipps Conservatory and environmental science. Well done!
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