ENVIROTHON GA Ag Ed Curriculum Office To accompany Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Lesson July 2002

Envirothon is a hands-on, high school competition about the environment. Skills and knowledge are tested in outdoor environments such as a nature center, camp, forest, or park.

Who’s Makes Up A Team? High school students School may enter 2 teams Team may consist of 6 members from the same school or organization If a team qualifies for State, at least 4 members of original team must participate 5 members make a team at the National level 6th student may go as an alternate

Competition Region State One day format 4 Regions Two day format top teams go to State competition State Two day format

Format Testing at five stations Time Team examination Brief demonstration of hands-on skills important to that station Time 45 minutes per station- Region/State 20 minutes- only at State Presentation Station

In the Envirothon, students compete in all weather conditions

Stations Forest Ecosystems Wildlife Water Soil New Current Event Topic Each Year For current event topic visit www.georgiaenvirothon.org

At all stations students work as a team to solve assigned problems.

Forest Ecosystems Forest types Natural succession Photosynthesis and energy transfer Interrelationships and connections Forest management for products Ecological needs

Students use instruments to calculate the volume of lumber in a tree.

Wildlife Importance of wildlife Wildlife identification How wildlife in managed Food chains Human impacts on wildlife Threatened and endangered wildlife Fishing and hunting regulations How wildlife management efforts are funded

Students identify wildlife by their furs and tracks.

Water Clearing of vegetation Soil disturbance Alteration of the floodplain Combination of these impacts

Students test for water quality from a stream using a water test kit.

Soils Use of pesticides and herbicides Mining and construction How soil is formed How nutrients are cycled Soil properties Land uses Methods used to protect and improve soil

Students measure top soil thickness and determine other characteristics of the soil from a soil profile.

Current Event Topic A new current event topic is designated each year At Region contest Considered like other stations At State contest 10 minute Group Presentation is required Followed by judges’ questions

Many plaques and awards are available at both the Region and State Competitions. The State winning team represents Georgia at the National Competition.

For detailed information and a registration form on the Georgia Envirothon, visit www.georgiaenvirothon.org