New Jersey Envirothon
What is the Envirothon?
In preparing for the New Jersey Envirothon competition, high school students pursue in-depth knowledge about New Jersey’s natural resources and gain skills needed to navigate the complex environmental issues of today and tomorrow. Guided by a local teacher or parent, the participants use online study guides and attend in-person training workshops provided by natural resource professionals from the various sponsoring organizations.
Early in May, teams of five students convene for a day-long problem-solving competition, with honors, prizes, and scholarships at stake. Areas of competition include Aquatics, Forestry, Soils, Wildlife, Team Presentation and a Current Environmental Issue. One week prior to the event, students are presented with an environmental issue or real-life scenario for which they must: 1) explore the natural resources, implications and stakeholders involved; 2) collaborate to devise a solution; and 3) give a team presentation to a panel of judges on the day of the competition.
The winning team moves on to represent New Jersey in the North American Envirothon. This multi-day event involves teams from all regions of the United States and Canada, and has proven to be an enriching experience for past New Jersey participants.
With an ever-increasing tendency toward the ‘green’ movement, students of today need to be equipped with an understanding of the importance of our natural resources if they are to succeed in today’s world. The New Jersey Envirothon, through months of classroom study and the day-long hands-on competition, arms these leaders of tomorrow with the skills they will need to prepare for careers in environmental science and agriculture.”
A little history...
The first New Jersey Envirothon was held in Mercer County in 1994. It was hosted by the Mercer County Soil Conservation District, and organized through a partnership of New Jersey Soil Districts, plus state and federal natural resource agencies. Inspiration came from our neighbors in Pennsylvania, where high school students had been gathering since 1979 to challenge their environmental knowledge and to explore potential natural resource careers. The early competitions were called the “Environmental Olympics”, later the “Enviro-Olympics” and then the “Envirothon”. Neighboring states began to offer their own competitions, and the first “National Envirothon” was held in 1988. With the entrance of the first Canadian team in 1992, it became a North American event. Click here for a detailed history of the North American Envirothon.
Four teams competed in the first New Jersey Envirothon in 1994. Today, there are approximately 35 to 40 teams competing in our state. The winning team earns the honor of representing New Jersey at the North American Envirothon, where they will compete against other top teams from approximately 55 US states and Canadian provinces. See below for a list of host sites and Current Issues for past New Jersey events.
For more information about the Envirothon, contact the NJ Envirothon coordinator or your local soil conservation district.
Event details
The host site and current issue vary from year to year. Each year the Envirothon features a specific, Current Environmental Issue. See Current Competition for details on this year’s event.
Teams who elect to do so can camp at the site the night before the contest. Many students and teachers are drawn to return each year not only by the competition, but because of the camping and camaraderie they experience at the event.
Testing format
Test questions may cover any information in the study guide and suggested resource materials or web links. The contest will consist of hands-on questions along with some true/false, multiple choice and fill-in-the-blanks. There will be 30 minutes allowed at each station to complete the hands-on and written tests. Team presentations will last 10 minutes.
Teams
Teams are comprised of five students and at least one advisor. The team advisor or “coach” facilitates team preparation for the competition.
Resources
The Envirothon partners offer training and study guides for this preparation. Organized training sessions give students the opportunity to meet a wide range of professionals working in environment-related fields. The study guides acquaint students with background material to help participants prepare for the competition. Training trunks are full of materials to supplement students’ preparation.
The Online Study Guide can also be used to supplement regular lesson plans. Preparation for the Envirothon helps meet New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards in Language, Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.
Why participate?
Students who participate in the Envirothon are poised to become better-informed, active participants in natural resource management and problem-solving. Those who are considering careers in natural resources conservation have the added benefit of interacting with conservation professionals at training sessions and the event itself. Plus, you’ll have a ton of fun!
Students
The New Jersey Envirothon has plenty of benefits for students. By participating, students will:
- Increase environmental awareness
- Develop team building
- Enhance youth leadership skills
- Tackle environmental challenges
- Meet like-minded students
- Win scholarships and awards
- Connect classroom learning to real world problems
- Interact with natural resource professionals
- Explore New Jersey’s diverse resources and habitats
Awards
- All students will receive certificates of participation and NJ Envirothon T-shirts.
- The NJ Association of Conservation Districts will award $1,000 Scholarships to the members of the first place team.
- Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and Kean University will offer scholarships to first place team members who attend either of these institutions.
- The top-placing teams will receive a plaque in honor of their achievements.
- The first place team may represent New Jersey at the North American Envirothon. Travel expense assistance may be available from the NJ Association of Conservation Districts.
Educators
The Envirothon partners offer training and study guides for this preparation. Organized training sessions give students the opportunity to meet a wide range of professionals working in environment-related fields. The study guides acquaint students with background material to help participants prepare for the competition. Training trunks are full of materials to supplement students’ preparation.
The Online Study Guide can also be used to supplement regular lesson plans. Preparation for the Envirothon helps meet New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards in Language, Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.
Testimonials
It allows for the education & understanding of how we affect the environment around us, and how the environment can benefit from our stewardship.
It encourages students to think critically to solve real world problems.
In an age of teach-from-a-book, test, repeat; actually APPLYING science in a natural environment is a truly unique experience. Basically, it makes students care.
The Envirothon has taken my students all over New Jersey and North America, from Nova Scotia to the Gulf Coast, and even to the high country of the Grand Tetons. These will be some of the greatest experiences in their lives. Many have gone on to have successful environmental science careers.