For the fourth consecutive year, the Hudson High School Envirothon team will participate in the New York State Envirothon competition. Envirothon is an environmental science competition that tests students’ knowledge of state aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and current environmental issues.
HHS earned the chance to compete in the 2021 state competition after placing first in Columbia County and third overall in the regional competition on May 5. They competed against 23 teams from 13 schools in seven counties, including schools in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County. The regional Envirothon was held virtually again this year due to ongoing COVID restrictions. Teams worked together virtually to answer 25 questions in 20 minutes for each category: Aquatics, Current Issue, Forestry, Soils and Wildlife.
At the regional event, HHS Team 1 received the second highest scores in the Aquatics and Current Issue categories, as well as the third highest score in the Soils category.
“This year’s Current Issue was about water resource management,” said Jim McDarby, HHS science teacher and Envirothon advisor. “Students had to demonstrate their knowledge about groundwater and surface water interactions, and how human activities such as agricultural practices and urban development affect groundwater and surface water.”
Team 1 (pictured below) includes Fahim Ahmed (11), Arianna Camacho (11), Kyle Farley (11), Bishwokrit Rayamajhi (11) and Reagan Schlimgen (11). It is the second year in a row this group of students is going to the state Envirothon. HHS also has a second Envirothon team consisting of Lina Hutchings (10), Logan Rowe (10) and Marissa Scali (10). It was Team 2’s first year competing in Envirothon and they finished 14th out of 23 teams at the regional event.
To prepare for the state competition, the HHS Envirothon team members meet twice a week to study and quiz each other on the topics. They also use hands-on materials when they are able to meet in person.
The NYS Envirothon will take place virtually May 25-28, 2021. Participating teams will answer timed questions about state aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and current environmental issues. The state competition also includes oral presentations for the top 20 teams.
Team 1 works together to identify bird species.