What is the Envirothon?
FACT SHEET
What: Envirothon is a problem-solving natural resource competition for high school students. In Maryland the Envirothon sponsored by the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts (MASCD), which is an organization representing all of the soil conservation districts in the state.
How: Teams of high school age students are tested on their knowledge of a state's natural resources -- soils, forestry, wildlife, water and a current environmental issue. Students visit five "in-the-field" test stations where written and hands-on problem solving is required along with formulating a strategy for increasing public awareness. The event is competitive, education is the bottom line.
Objectives:
Participants will gain a deeper knowledge of the following:
- The affect individual actions have on environmental problems;
- the interactions and inter dependencies of our environment;
- current environmental issues;
- the agencies available to assist them in resource protection matters;
- the need to become environmentally aware, action-oriented adults.
COMPETITION
Local Conservation Districts*, in conjunction with cooperating agencies and educators, organize and run local Envirothon competitions. The winning county team then has the opportunity to compete in the State Envirothon which is attended by 20+ teams from across the state. The state competition champions then travel and compete at the National Envirothon. The 2003 Canon National Envirothon was hosted by Maryland. In 2006 the Canon National Envirothon will be held in Manitoba, Canada.
*Conservation Districts are governed by locally elected landowners and farmers, help landowners and land users solve resource management problems.
What determines the final team standings?
Students are tested in each of the five resource areas and also on a oral presentation developed during the competition directly related to the current fifth issue. Teams are given a "problem" to solve that is related to the fifth issue. During the competition the team must find ways to solve the problem and then as a team, orally present the solution to a body of judges. The team with the best presentation skills and content (solutions) will be awarded the most points.
Note: each of the 5 resource areas represent 1/6 of the final score, with the oral presentation being the other 1/6 of the final score.
Examples of past years oral presentations are shown here at this link. The files are in Word format (.doc).
History
Envirothon was started in 1979 by three Pennsylvania soil and water conservation districts. By 1988 the idea had caught on and the first national contest was held.
The 2005 Maryland event had 17 counties with 19 teams (2 alternates) held at Harford Glenn.
This past year about fifty teams attended the Canon National Envirothon.
updated 28 September, 2005
