Key Challenge 2013

VOL. 1 • 2013

L E A R N

photo by Light Made Liquid

•

E X P E R I E N C E

•

P R O T E C T

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

an Introduction The Key Challenge is sponsored by the Citizen Scientist Project of the Key Biscayne Community Foundation. It is an island-wide initiative directed at increasing student's appreciation and knowledge of the island’s natural resources. The Challenge incorporates three disciplines—art, writing, and technology. These disciplines are further broken down into sub-challenges.

The sub-challenges are open to either individuals, groups, or both as well as various grade levels depending on the type of event.

The Challenge opens on November 1, 2013 with a kick off ceremony and concludes on March 21, 2014. Winners will be announced on Earth Day (April 22, 2014). Schools will submit their top 2 entries for each grade level and category. The school with the most winners per grade level will receive a trophy and monetary award.

K/1 2/3 4/5 M H1 H2

— — — — — —

Pre-K, K, & 1 st grades 2nd & 3rd grades 4th & 5th grades 6th, 7th, & 8th grades 9th & 10th grades 11th & 12th grades photo by Light Made Liquid

Disciplines and Challenges: ART CHALLENGES

photo by Light Made Liquid

Mixed Media

(INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS: M, H1, H2)

• Students must use mixed-media to create a view of an environment feature found on Key Biscayne (e.g., plants, animals, insects, open spaces, etc.).

• All artwork must be original in design created by the student(s).

• Entries must be 2-D drawings or paintings, unframed, and unmounted.

• Entries should be no larger than 4 x 6 feet.

• Artwork must include student’s name(s), grade, and school on back.

Collage of Local Ecosystem (GROUPS: 4/5) • Students must use mixed media to create a collage of a Key ecosystem which can be land, sea or air.

• All artwork must be original in design created by the students.

• Entries must be 2-D, unframed, and unmounted.

• Entries should be no larger than 4 x 6 feet.

• Artwork must include name of the geographic region, common and scientific name of at least one plant, reptile, fish, or mammal native to the ecosystem, student’s name(s), grade, and school on back.

Photography

(INDIVIDUALS: K/1, 2/3)

• Photo must create a view of an environmental feature found on the island (e.g. plant(s), animal(s), insect(s), panorama(s), etc.).

• Photo must be original, and must be presented without retouching, photoshopping, or other alterations.

• Photo must be smaller than 8.5 x 11 inches.

• Photo may not be a composite of several photos.

• Photo must include student’s name, grade, and school on back.

Environmental Statement Posters (INDIVIDUALS & GROUPS: M, H1, H2) • All artwork must be an original hand-rendered or computer-generated design created by the student(s).

• Design must be on a sheet of unlined paper or poster board; in black and white or full-color; in colored pencils, pens, fine-point markers or paints.

• Include the words key challenge and the year 2014 in the design.

• Include a brief slogan (20 words or less) that raises awareness about what is needed to protect Key Biscayne.

• Posters must include student’s name(s), grade, and school on back.

Disciplines and Challenges: WRITING CHALLENGES

photo by Kiko Ricote

Book

(INDIVIDUALS/GROUPS: K/1, 2/3)

• Book theme must be on how to preserve one natural resource of Key Biscayne (e.g., beach, mangroves, coral, etc.).

• Book should be less than 1000 words & can include photographs.

• Book may be hand written or typed.

• Book should be written for a target audience of 5-9 year olds.

• Must be written in student’s or students’ own words.

Report on Local Ecosystem • • • • •

(GROUPS: 4/5)

May be submitted as written, PowerPoint, or other digital media.

Report must be an original effort describing a Key ecosystem.

Report must be 1,000 words or less.

Reports may be hand written but legible.

Report must include student’s names, grade, and school.

Performance/Video Recording (GROUPS: K/1, 2/3, 4/5) • Must send an environmental message.

• Video or recording must be written and produced by students.

• Environmental message must be clearly understood and relate to a natural resource of Key Biscayne.

• Videos can have sound or be silent.

• Must include student’s names, grade, and school at the end of video or recording.

Disciplines and Challenges: TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES

photo by Kiko Ricote

Environmental Blog

(GROUPS: M, H1, H2)

• At least one entry per week with three pictures per entry.

• Entries must be 300 words or less.

• Entries must consist of student generated content.

• Entries must be factual and may include aggregated content for reference only.

• Student’s names, grade, and school must be submitted with URL, and should NOT appear on the blog.

Computer Apps

(GROUPS: M, H1, H2)

• Develop an app for the village butterfly site on Fernwood Road that identifies host plants, caterpillars, and butterflies. • App should have a photograph and description for each specimen found at the site as well as species specific information.

photo by Kiko Ricote

Ke y C h a l l e n g e R E G I S T R AT I O N • PA R T I C I PAT I O N • J U D G I N G

the Fine Print • The Key Challenge kickoff date is November 1, 2013.

• The kickoff will include a reception & short presentation on the details of the challenge.

• One registration per school is required and must include intended sub-challenges.

• Registration closes on November 12, 2013.

• Participants are required to engage in a Citizen Scientist Project event (e.g. attend lecture, attend workshop, participate in beach cleanup, etc.) and sign in with the event leaders.

• The last day for submitting entries is March 21, 2014.

• A maximum of two winners from each sub-challenge can be submitted by each school for inclusion in the overall challenge competition.

• All judging will be anonymous.

• All sub-challenges will be judged according to the criteria listed in this program and discussed at the kickoff.

• Plaques will be awarded for the winners of each challenge.

• Trophy and $250 prize for overall grade winner by school.

• Winning entries to appear in the Islander News and to be displayed on the Key Biscayne Government TV station and/or exhibited at the Key Biscayne Community Center.

Key Biscayne Citizen Scientist Project

The 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. Learn more at www.KeyChallenge.org.

Info@KeyBiscayneFoundation.org • (305) 361-2770