2014-2015 Key Challenge Brochure

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L E A R N • E X P E R I E N C E • P R O T E C T

An IntroductionThe Citizen Scientist Project of the Key Biscayne

Community Foundation and the Village of Key Biscayne sponsor the Key Challenge. Equally important to these sponsorships, the Challenge gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for providing invaluable information used both to design the first Key Challenge and to make changes to improve this year’s Key Challenge.

Following the example of The Fairchild Challenge and it’s wider audience and area of concern, the Key Challenge is an island-wide initiative directed at increasing student’s appreciation and knowledge of the island’s natural resources. The Challenge incorporates 4 disciplines- art, writing, informatics and science. These disciplines are further broken down into individual and/or group challenges open to various grade levels.

The Challenge starts on October 27th, 2014 and concludes on March 20th, 2015. Awards will be announced on April 22th, 2015 (Earth Day). Each individual/group challenge will be judged by grade groupings. Grades are separated by the following break down:

Pre-K, Kindergarten and First grade (K)

Second and Third grades (3)

Fourth and Fifth grades (5)

Sixth through Eighth grades (M)

Ninth and Tenth grades (H1)

An IntroductionThe Citizen Scientist Project of the Key Biscayne

Community Foundation and the Village of Key Biscayne sponsor the Key Challenge. Equally important to these sponsorships, the Challenge gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for providing invaluable information used both to design the first Key Challenge and to make changes to improve this year’s Key Challenge.

Following the example of The Fairchild Challenge and it’s wider audience and area of concern, the Key Challenge is an island-wide initiative directed at increasing student’s appreciation and knowledge of the island’s natural resources. The Challenge incorporates 4 disciplines- art, writing, informatics and science. These disciplines are further broken down into individual and/or group challenges open to various grade levels.

The Challenge starts on October 27th, 2014 and concludes on March 20th, 2015. Awards will be announced on April 22th, 2015 (Earth Day). Each individual/group challenge will be judged by grade groupings. Grades are separated by the following break down:

Pre-K, Kindergarten and First grade (K)

Second and Third grades (3)

Fourth and Fifth grades (5)

Sixth through Eighth grades (M)

Ninth and Tenth grades (H1)

K e y B i s c a y n e C i t i z e n S c i e n t i s t P r o j e c t ’ s K E Y C H A L L E N G EK e y B i s c a y n e C i t i z e n S c i e n t i s t P r o j e c t ’ s K E Y C H A L L E N G E

Create a collage of a KB native habitat, which includes a native species as well as elements representing the shelter, food, water, air and a place to raise their young. Use whatever materials available. However, additional points will be given for the use of natural and found objects. Include a written description (by the teacher or parent), describing the process of creating the collage and the lessons learned about the habitat and its inhabitants during this process.

Collage (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS)

Take a photograph of an element of the natural environment of Key Biscayne ( i.e. an animal in its habitat; the beach; the mangroves; marine life, etc.).

Photograph (INDIVIDUALS | 8in x 10in print)

P R E - K , K I N D E R G A R T E N , & F I R S T G R A D E S

Create a book about natural resources found on Key Biscayne and the special beauty of our island. The artwork and words must be student generated, but the book may be computer printed.

Book (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | max 24 pgs including cover)

Create a bird watching graph for at least 3 species, 1 of which is migratory and monitor these species at school or at home for a 4 month period. This can be done by choosing dates to observe at a chosen location (i.e. every Tues) or by species (keeping a running tally sheet with dates of sightings). Weather conditions should be included in the data collection. A list of birds likely to be seen will be provided.

Science Project(INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | poster/science board)

Create a collage of a KB native habitat, which includes a native species as well as elements representing the shelter, food, and a place to raise their young. Use whatever materials available. However, additional points will be given for the use of natural and found objects. Include a written description (by the teacher or parent), which describes the process of creating the collage and the lessons learned about the habitat and its inhabitants during this process.


Design and conduct a simple experiment, which addresses the needs of plants.

Science Project (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | poster/science board)

Create a collage of a KB native habitat, which includes a native species as well as elements representing the shelter, food, and a place to raise their young. Use whatever materials available. However, additional points will be given for the use of natural and found objects. Include a written description (by the teacher or parent), which describes the process of creating the collage and the lessons learned about the habitat and its inhabitants during this process.


Design and conduct a simple experiment, which addresses the needs of plants.

Science Project (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | poster/science board)

S E C O N D & T H I R D G R A D E S


Book (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | max 24 pages including cover)

Create a 2D drawing or painting of one of Key Biscayne's natural resources (plant, animal, mangroves, beaches, oceans, etc.). Include a written description of the artwork which includes a comment about what is important or unique about the subject of the painting or drawing.

2D Illustration (INDIVIDUALS | up to 18in x 24in)

S E C O N D & T H I R D G R A D E S


Book (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | max 24 pages including cover)

Create a 2D drawing or painting of one of Key Biscayne's natural resources (plant, animal, mangroves, beaches, oceans, etc.). Include a written description of the artwork which includes a comment about what is important or unique about the subject of the painting or drawing.

2D Illustration (INDIVIDUALS | up to 18in x 24in)

Use any of these formats to explain one of Key Biscayne's natural resources in an effort to raise awareness of our environment and motivate others to care for it.

Design a Brochure, Flyer, or Comic (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | up to 8.5in x 11in)

Create a video which sends an environmental message for our community about caring for the natural resources of Key Biscayne. Entries to be submitted via Dropbox.

Performance Video (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | max length of 8 minutes)

F O U R T H & F I F T H G R A D E S

Create a photo collage, which explores and examines one of the natural resources of Key Biscayne. Include a brief description of the subject chosen and the elements included in the collage.

Pic-Collage (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS)

Conduct an experiment which addresses plants' reactions to a greenhouse environment (i.e. increased humidity and heat). (Hint: there is a greenhouse project on Education.com)


Create a coloring book for younger children that explores and describes the natural resources of Key Biscayne. This can be written as a story, as a guide book of different things to look for on Key Biscayne or any other format that inspire young children to take notice and care for of the natural environment around them.

Coloring Book (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | max 24 pages including cover)

Design a brochure which describes the history of a Key Biscayne natural resource using primary sources and archival information and/or interviews.

Design a Brochure (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | 8.5in x 11in trifold)

Create a coloring book for younger children that explores and describes the natural resources of Key Biscayne. This can be written as a story, as a guide book of different things to look for on Key Biscayne or any other format that inspire young children to take notice and care for of the natural environment around them.

Coloring Book (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | max 24 pages including cover)


Design a Brochure (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | 8.5in x 11in trifold)

M I D D L E S C H O O L : S I X T H , S E V E N T H , & E I G H T H G R A D E S



Design and conduct a standard science fair project, which explores and monitors one of Key Biscayne's natural resources.


M I D D L E S C H O O L : S I X T H , S E V E N T H , & E I G H T H G R A D E S



Design and conduct a standard science fair project, which explores and monitors one of Key Biscayne's natural resources.


Create a timeline of one of the natural resources found on Key Biscayne (beaches, mangroves, sea grass, etc.) using archival photos, records and/or interviews. The timeline should span over at least 25 years.

Timeline (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS | powerpoint, presi, or poster board)

Create an app that facilitates monitoring a natural resource on Key Biscayne (birds, butterflies, native plants, etc) and use it to generate a timeline (at least one month) of evolution of selected resource.

Scientific App (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS)

H I G H S C H O O L 1 : N I N T H & T E N T H G R A D E S

H I G H S C H O O L 2 : E L E V E N T H & T W E L F T H G R A D E S

Create a simple computer game that explores the history of Key Biscayne and/or it's natural resources.

Computer Game (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS)





The Fine PrintEach school must complete a School

Registration form by October 27th, 2014.The Challenge starts officially at that time.2 entries will be accepted per challenge

and class for judging. 1 winner will be chosen per challenge and grade level category.

In order to submit an entry for judging the participant(s) is (are) required to attend at least one Citizen Scientist Project event (e.g., lecture, cleanup, etc.) or other environmentally focused community service activity. This information will be required on the individual entry form, which will be submitted with each challenge entry. We will work with schools to develop Speakers’ Night in order to fulfill this requirement. Speakers’ Nights at schools should be open to all Key Challenge participants.

Maximum members of a group is four.All judging will be anonymous.A Community Service Award will be given

to the school with the greatest percentage of a school’s student population participating in an environmental event other than lectures.

This year we require students stay within the challenge assigned to their grade level.

2 0 1 4 K e y C h a l l e n g e G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N

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The Fine PrintEach school must complete a School

Registration form by October 27th, 2014.The Challenge starts officially at that time.2 entries will be accepted per challenge

and class for judging. 1 winner will be chosen per challenge and grade level category.

In order to submit an entry for judging the participant(s) is (are) required to attend at least one Citizen Scientist Project event (e.g., lecture, cleanup, etc.) or other environmentally focused community service activity. This information will be required on the individual entry form, which will be submitted with each challenge entry. We will work with schools to develop Speakers’ Night in order to fulfill this requirement. Speakers’ Nights at schools should be open to all Key Challenge participants.

Maximum members of a group is four.All judging will be anonymous.A Community Service Award will be given

to the school with the greatest percentage of a school’s student population participating in an environmental event other than lectures.

This year we require students stay within the challenge assigned to their grade level.

2 0 1 4 K e y C h a l l e n g e G E N E R A L I N F O R M A T I O N

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2014 Key ChallengeThe Citizen Scientist Project’s goal is to

secure a future Key Biscayne characterized by the same bounty of natural resources that exist today, thus maintaining the title of “Island Paradise,” while the Key Biscayne Citizen Scientist Lab provides a place to record and organize your findings in and around our island and to learn more about our island.

The Citizen Scientist Project’s Key Challenge is sponsored by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, the Village of Key Biscayne, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, and the Knight Foundation.

Communication is always welcome. Contact the Key Biscayne Citizen Scientist Project at:

E: [email protected]

W: www.KeyChallenge.org.

T: (305) 361-2770

K e y B i s c a y n e C i t i z e n S c i e n t i s t P r o j e c t ’ s K e y C h a l l e n g e

2014-2015 Key Challenge Brochure

Documents

fairchild challenge

years key challenge

e y c h

individualgroup challenge

e n g ek e y b i s c

grades h1k e y b i s

e n g ecreate

village of key biscayne