The Fairchild Challenge at Knoxville Zoo accomplishes these goals through a standards based, interdisciplinary environmental education program provided at NO COST to the local high schools. The Fairchild Challenge at Knoxville Zoo is comprised of a series of point earning projects in which local high school students participate. Since it is designed as a competition, the overall goal is to accrue enough points to earn the Fairchild Challenge Award at the spring awards ceremony. The Challenges are outlined below.
Requirements: Must be a Knox County High School (public or private).
Challenge One: Environmental Immersion Day / Field Study 
The Challenge:
Esperiential learning offers students the opportunity to connect with their natural surroundings and exercise leadership skills. Environmental Immersion Day allows students to enhance practical skills and knowledge while learning about environmental careers. Students will work in small groups alongside environmental experts, participating in hands-on environemntal activities at our partner sites in Knoxville.
The Date:
Number of Entries:
Each participating school may enter up to 10 students.
Points:
A maximum of 300 points will be awarded for completion of this challenge. This amounts to 30 points per student.
Successful Entries will:
- Turn in the school challenge entry form, an immersion day student application form for each student, and a parent permission slip for each student.
- Select up to 10 students to participate
- Have each student actively participate in the Environmental Immersion Day
Challenge Two: Art-Native Species of Concern 
The Challenge:
Students will closely examine the animals found in East Tennessee, select a native or naturalized specimin found on the TWRA Species list, and create an original drawing or sculpture.
The Date:
The due date for this challenge is November 2, 2012. Entries must be dropped off at Knoxville Zoo's Ranger Station, which is located to the right of the zoo's ticket booth at the main entrance.
Number of Entries:
Each participating school may submit up to three original drawings AND up to three original sculptures.
Points:
A maximum of 300 points will be awarded for completion of this challenge. This amounts to 50 points per entry.
Successful Entries Will:
- Turn in the Challenge Two entry form.
- Have the student's name, grade and school clearly marked on the back/bottom of the entry.
- For the drawings - maximum size is 11" x 14" including optional matte; must include descriptive title. Colored / graphite pencils, no ink.
- For sculptures - maximum size is 12" x 12" x 12". Use a majority of repurposed, reused, or found materials. No organic material please - we don't want roadkill!
Challenge Three - Art Endangered Species Recycle Barrel 
The Challenge:
Recycling is important for the sustainability of our environment. Decorate barrels that will become recycle barrels for the zoo. The theme has to be about conservation of an animal that is listed as endangered, critically endangered, or extinct in the wild based on the IUCN Red-list (http://www.iucnredlist.org.). Write a 400-500 word paper on the animal and conservation efforts being done for that animal.
The Date:
The due date for this challenge is March 1, 2013. The barrels must be dropped off at Knoxville Zoo's Ranger Station, located to the right of the zoo's ticket booth at the main entrance. The paper must be submitted electronically to fairchildchallenge@knoxville-zoo.org.
Number of Entries:
Each particpating school may submit two entries.
Points:
A maximum of 300 points will be awarded for completion of this challenge. This amounts to 150 points per entry.
Suceessful Entries Will:
- Turn in the Challenge Three entry form.
- Research an endangered animal and what is being done to save it.
- Paint a recycle barrel (provided by the zoo) representing that endangered animal. Please call 637-5331 x325 or x331 and give a one day advance notice if you plan to pick up a barrel from the zoo.
- Turn in a 400-500 word essay about the animal on the barrel and its conservation. This paper must be in the student's own words. The paper will be checked for plagiarism.
- Turn in a bibilography with four reliable literary sources, two of which must be print media.
Challenge Four - Journals and Fables - Creative Writing
The Challenge:
Students will choose one of the following writing topics.
Fables teach important life lessons and are a common tradition in many cultures. A fable with an environmental conservation theme provides a lively and creative approach for understanding and appreciating the world around us and what we can do to save it.
OR
The written word is a powerful tool for creative expression and inspiration. Students will research an animal found on the IUCN Red list, and write a first person creative piece describing a one-day (24-hour) period) in the life of that animal.
The Date:
The due date for this challenge is March 15, 2013. Entries may be dropped off at Knoxville Zoo's Ranger Station, which is located to the right of the ticket booth at the zoo's main entrance. Entries may also be submitted electronically to
fairchildchallenge@knoxville-zoo.org.
Number of Entries:
Each participating school may submit up to two entries for each writing topic. In other words, schools may submit two fables and two first person creative writing pieces.
Points:
A maximum of 400 points will be awarded for completion of this challenge. This amounts to 100 points per entry.
Successful Entries Will:
- Turn in the Challenge Three entry form
- Submit a 1,000 to 2,000 word essay by the due date
- Have the students name, grade, school name, and title at the top of the page
- Font must be Times New Roman, 12 point, single-spaced
- Must be an original work
- Fable must have the traditional elements - characters, setting, plot, and a moral / lesson
- Creative Writing: Animal portrayed must be on the IUCN Red list. The essay shows a solid understanding of the animal and is accurate in its description of the species.
For Additional Information:
Please feel free to email fairchildchallenge@knoxville-zoo.org or call (865) 637-5331 x331.