Almost 200 local high school, middle and elementary school students in the Fairchild Challenge multidisciplinary, environmental education outreach program, performed in botanical bands, walked in the Parade of Animals and modeled their one-of-a-kind botanical fashion creations on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables.
Emceed by local environmentalist Hunter Reno, a distinguished panel of judges including community leaders, university professors and volunteers assessed the botanical band performances, animal masks and unique fashions created exclusively from natural, plants and recycled materials.
Among the activities:
• High Schools Botanical Band — High school students in 13 bands who made musical instruments out of natural plant materials performed an original musical composition.
• Elementary Schools Parade of Endangered Animals — In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, elementary school students from 30 schools wore masks of endangered animals they made from natural and recycled materials, and walked in a parade.
• Middle Schools Futuristic Fashion — 27 groups of middle school students modeled futuristic fashion they designed with all visible parts made exclusively of real plant materials.
All students descended Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s majestic “Stairway of Style” at the Visitors Center before a crowd of hundreds including family members, teachers, environmental supporters and the local community.