From the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:
ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 21, 2012) – A five-member team of high school students Harford County is the winner of the 22nd annual Maryland Envirothon—an outdoor natural resources competition that challenges students to identify and categorize living resources, perform soil surveys and solve other complex natural resource issues. More than 100 challengers from 18 counties across Maryland took part in this year’s competition. The event was held June 20-21 at the St. James School of Maryland in Washington County.
“It is great to see such a sincere interest in the science side of the environment,” said Maryland Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “With the strong leadership and scientific expertise of these students, the outlook for our natural resources and agricultural industry is indeed very bright.”
As winners of the Maryland Envirothon, Harford County team members Brianna Coleman, Emily Stricklin, Luke Tittel, Hunter Howell, and Josh Mahr will represent the state at the 2012 Canon Envirothon, which will be held at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania from July 22?July 27, 2012. The students will be accompanied by teacher/advisor Ada Stambaugh and Bryan Wilson. More than 50 teams from the United States and Canada are expected to compete at the national event. During the past five years, Maryland teams have consistently placed in the top 10 percent at national competitions.
The Maryland Envirothon is held once a year at an outdoor environmental education center. Students taking part in the competition study Maryland’s natural resources for a year in hopes of winning. Working in teams of five with one to two alternates, students are trained and tested in four natural resource areas including soils, aquatics, forestry and wildlife plus an environmental issue that changes from year to year. This year’s special environmental issue was Nonpoint Source Pollution/Low Impact Development.
Each team’s knowledge is tested under the supervision of foresters, soil scientists and wildlife specialists. Teamwork, problem solving and presentation skills are evaluated as each team offers a panel of judges an oral presentation containing recommendations for solving an environmental challenge. The team with the highest cumulative total wins the competition and the opportunity to represent Maryland at the Canon Envirothon.
At this year’s competition the Harford County team scored 434 points out of a possible 500. They were followed by teams from Montgomery County (434 points), and St. Mary’s County (429 points)
Members of the top three teams were awarded scholarships ranging from $200 to $500 through the Constellation Energy Scholarship program. Winning team members also received a wildlife print, Maryland Envirothon denim shirt and other prizes.
The Washington County team was the high scorer in the “soils” category of the competition with a score of 88 points out of a possible 100. The Mid-Atlantic Association of Professional Soil Scientists (MAPSS) presented each member of the team with a cash award of $50. In addition, the team received a print and gift cards.
Established in 1990, the objectives of the Maryland Envirothon are twofold—to test students’ environmental knowledge and understanding of state resource issues and to instill a desire to learn more about the natural world. Winning teams compete at the local, state and international levels. The first Envirothon competition was held in Pennsylvania in 1979. Since then more than 30 states, Canada and Australia have embraced the program and sent teams to the international competition.
The Maryland Envirothon is sponsored by the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts and the State Soil Conservation Committee. Contributors and supporters include the Maryland Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment, the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Garrett College, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
I realize this article appears to be a press release from the Maryland DNR, but I must say even though it wasn’t mentioned in the press release it probably would have been good journalism on the part of the Dagger (or at least I kind gesture to the school and students to give credit where credit is due) to mention what school this team is from. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume it was left out by accident and was overlooked rather than assume it was an attempt to remain politically correct by not mentioning it was a Christian school. Way to go Harford Christian Eagles!
Interestingly enough, does it really matter what *type* of school they are from? They are a team, and they compete as a team, not as a religion. Please keep your religious issues to yourself, and do not attempt to blame people for not addressing them when it isn’t pertinent.
that team from harford christian has really come into its own in recent years. very impressive. i believe they will be very competitive nationally.
Is Bob Chance the writer of this article, or was his just a comment?
Is there an author, or did this come from an outside source/
Thanx,
DN