Numerous Mars Area School District students joined in an Eco Challenge, held Sept. 17-19 at Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens.

On Sept. 17, fifth-graders were invited to learn about native species and the food web. Participants included fifth-graders Jack Baumgartel, Cayley Chaffee, Alexander Chernykh, Hannah Craver, Lila Demetris, Asher Detore, Gillian Everest, Lucy Harrison, Bennett Kreit, Landon Lewis,  Ashrith Muppala, Laura Spaulding, Adalyn Stuber and Max Veneziano.

On Sept. 18, sixth-graders tested water quality, answered trivia questions, and searched for and observed macroinvertebrates. Participants were sixth-graders Reese Carrel, Noah Fecich, Ellie Kurnocik, Maxwell McEwen, Giovanni Morales, Hannah Nam, Benen Pears, Seth Pedicone, Kristin Sadhu, Alison White and Chaarvi Yogesh.

On the event’s third day (Sept. 19), secondary students searched for macroinvertebrates on leaves gathered from a creek that runs through Frick Park. Participants were sophomores Lucy Balazzas, Soleil Herbst, Mia Mirabile, Sabrina Ruiz-Gonzalez, Libby Schwartz and Brynn Williams; freshman Riley Long; and eighth-grader Olivia Airgood.

All groups also completed a scavenger hunt at Phipps Conservatory and were able to bring home a potted plant.

The event was the kickoff for Phipps Conservatory’s annual Fairchild Challenge, a multidisciplinary environmental education outreach program that encourages students’ innate sense of curiosity about the world around them. The program empowers students to engage in civic life and to become energetic and knowledgeable members of their communities.

For more information, visit https://www.aiu3.net.