After months of preparation, studying, and hands-on work, on April 28, the students of Linganore High School (LHS) showed off their skills by taking home second place during this year’s annual Envirothon competition.
These students fought against multiple schools across the region. LHS competed in the core categories of aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife and current environmental issues.
In this competition, LHS students were quizzed on environmental scenarios. They were then tasked with creating a reliable management plan, which they then presented to the board of competition judges. The other section of this competition is the field testing. Students spend time at different stations, make observations, proceed with scientific testing and answer written questions.
Students in this competition had a small setback due to rain in the forecast. However, that did not stop them from bringing back the second place award, missing first place by only one point.
Amber McCauley, science teacher at LHS led this year’s Envirothon and explained how she thought the competition went.
“The students did an amazing job,” McCauley said. “They worked hard from the beginning of the year. They put the time in to study in different categories and missed first place by one point!”
In each of the categories, there is an expert designated by the team. The forestry expert for LHS was senior Hannah Hettinger.
According to Hettinger, the team placed second overall and achieved first place in the forestry category.
Through difficult tests, presentations and field challenges, this team of Linganore students has shown their skills in team-working, ability to perform under pressure and care for the environment.
Though this competition season will come to a close, the team hopes to bring attention to the annual competition, the conversation around environmental issues and how students can play a big role in the impact of conservation.
