Penncrest High School in Delaware County placed first in 2015 Pennsylvania State Envirothon competition, scoring 572 points out possible 600, and earning the honor of representing Pennsylvania in upcoming North American competition.

(Photo: Team Members: Abigail Pearse, Lucy Hall, Vy-Linn Gale, Justin Rosenberg and Dan Rosenberger.  The Team Advisors were Mark Samilenko & Chrissa Kuntz.)

The 32nd state competition was held May 19-20 at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown and Windber Recreation Park. High school students from 63 Pennsylvania counties participated in this year’s event.

The other nine winning schools, and scores were: second place – Palmyra Area High School, Lebanon County, with a score of 527.33; third place – Central York High School, York County, 522; fourth place – Carmichaels Area High School, Greene County, 509.33; fifth Place – Downingtown East High School, Chester County, 472.33; sixth Place – Blue Mountain High School, Schuylkill County, 470; seventh Place – Troy High School, Bradford County, 469.33; eighth Place – Oley Valley High School, Berks County, 465.67; ninth Place – Pocono Mountain East High School, Monroe County, 465.33; and tenth Place – Neshaminy High School, Bucks County, 461.

Five-member teams participated in a series of field station tests focusing on five topic areas: soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and environmental issues. The 2015 current environmental issue focused on Urban and Community Forestry.

The teams also prepared and delivered oral presentations to panels of judges who evaluated each team on its problem-solving capabilities, oral presentation skills and recommendations to help solve the specific environmental challenge, which relates to the current environmental issue.

Teams participating represent the best and the brightest of the thousands of high school teens who have competed in county Envirothon competitions sponsored by conservation districts from across the state.

At the state level, the Envirothon is sponsored by Pennsylvania’s 66 county conservation districts, the State Conservation Commission, and the PA Association of Conservation Districts.

Technical expertise is provided by: DCNR, Department of Environmental Protection, Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, U.S.D.A. Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Penn State Extension.

The 2015 champions will represent Pennsylvania at 27th North American competition planned for July 27 – August 1 at Missouri State University, Springfield.

Pennsylvania has won the North American event in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2009.

More than 46 states, eight Canadian provinces, and one Canadian territory have initiated Envirothon contests based on the program that was originally developed by Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.

The Pennsylvania Envirothon awarded scholarships to the first, second, and third place teams. The scholarships were sponsored by Pennsylvania’s County Conservation Districts and Shell Oil. Each of the top ten teams received a plaque and other prizes.

For more information on the Envirothon program, contact county conservation districts or the Pennsylvania Envirothon: (814) 623-7900, ext. 111; email: lsteach@envirothonpa.org.

NewsClips:

Dauphin County Envirothon Winners

Outdoorsy Summer Offered To Students

Mobile Science Lab Part Of Kids Fest In Connellsville

(Reprinted from DCNR’s June 3 Resource newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy.)

6/8/2015