This year, students on Key Biscayne participated enthusiastically in the 2025 Key Challenge, demonstrating their creativity, environmental awareness, and artistic skills through various projects focused on the theme of ‘Near-Shore Marine Habitats.’
Ranging from Pre-K to 8th grade, participants showcased their talents with an array of 2-D and 3-D creations, as well as coral reef dioramas.
Now in its 11th year, the Key Challenge is an initiative sponsored by The Citizen Science Project, which is part of the Key Biscayne Community Foundation.
Inspired by Fairchild Gardens’ Fairchild Challenge, the program aims to engage students in environmental projects tailored to the unique ecosystem of Key Biscayne, a location rich with environmental organizations.
The program has been pivotal in encouraging younger students who attend school on the island, allowing them to express their skills in art, science, writing, and informatics.
Participating schools included KB Presbyterian School, KB Community Church Day School, St. Christopher’s By-The-Sea, St. Agnes Academy, KB K-8 Center, and MAST Academy.
The competition saw remarkable entries across various categories, with winners being celebrated for their hard work and innovative ideas.
For the PRE-K, KINDERGARTEN, and 1ST GRADE category, the results were as follows:
– Book: 1st place went to Ms. Marcella & Ms. Laura’s Pre-K4 Class, followed by Ms. Defni & Ms. Mari’s Kindergarten Class in 2nd place, and Ms. Sonia’s Pre-K4 A Class in 3rd. Honorable Mention was awarded to Fischer Granier and Adrian Ojedo.
– Coral Reef Matching Game: Max Lipschutz took 1st place, with Pelican Class and Owl Class at 2nd, and Ms. Nicky & Ms. Sandra’s Kindergarten Class in 3rd.
– 2-D/3-D Creation: The top spot was earned by Ms. Noel & Ms. Josefina’s Pre-K4 Class, followed by Elena Barry and Ms. Sonia’s Kindergarten B Class, both tying for 2nd, and Pablo Cortázar, Bautista Iturrate Contreras, and Olivia Vinograd taking 3rd.
In the 2ND and 3RD GRADE category:
– 2-D/3-D Creation: 1st place went to Ms. Sonia’s 2nd Grade A Class, with Elias Patrick in 2nd and Rafaella Hernandez in 3rd.
– Coral Reef Diorama: Winners included Andre McQuillen and Cala Castañeda in 1st, Alessia Sanchez in 2nd, and Catalina Babatz in 3rd.
– Visual Art & Gem Poetry: 1st place was awarded to Luisa Tedin, with Diego Totani in 2nd and Gabriel Fleing and Maria Xaviera Briones in 3rd.
For students in the 4TH and 5TH GRADE category:
– Coral Reef Diorama: 1st place was secured by Catalina Fernandez & Isabella Sanchez, followed by Ariana Bach & Suri Panahi in 2nd and Ivy Buckingham & Sophia Levy Mayo Mia, Yazici & Carmen Massiani in 3rd.
– Visual Art & Gem Poetry: Angelique Cabrera took 1st place, and Isidro Jauregui was awarded 2nd.
– Science Report: Zeynep Gundogdu earned the top honor.
In the 6TH, 7TH, and 8TH GRADE category:
– Coral Reef Diorama: Ainhoa Berriochoa earned 1st place, with Paloma Plubins & Mia Diamanti in 2nd and Luka Coloma & Anthony Sanchinel in 3rd.
– Visual Art & Gem Poetry: Alejandro Perez-Phelan took 1st place, followed by Matilda Paez and Alegra Schumann in 2nd, and Maria Carlota Garcia Palau in 3rd.
– Environmental Fable: 1st place was awarded to Ignacia Porcile & Isabel O’Farrell, with Martina Montoya, Sofia Frangi, & Martina Scarpitto in 2nd, and Paulina Fuentes López in 3rd.
– Native Animal PSA Video: Allan Barra & Inigo Simion won 1st, Mila Caceres & Julieta Colaroff took 2nd, and Benjamin Mas & Franco Perez-Alonso earned 3rd.
The Key Challenge continues to inspire and nurture a sense of responsibility towards the environment among young students in Key Biscayne.
image source from：islandernews
