Envirothon goes to county-wide competition; Academic club focuses on science

Envirothon is an academic club offered by North Harford High School, focusing on the aspects of worldly sciences. Mrs. Laura O’Leary, the club’s advisor, says “the club goes to the county wide competition, then states, and then nationals.” Currently envirothon students have already participated in the counties. 

     Senior Nicholas Spigler is the current captain of the club. Spigler says, “Envirothon is a club where we all get together and look at past tests and information provided to us for this year’s tests, in order to study.” At the competition’s, students are given paper tests on different science subjects. 

     The five different subjects that are studied include “wildlife, aquatics, forestry, soils, and a fifth topic that deals with modern issues,” according to Spigler. This year’s fifth issue was called ‘waste to resources,’ where trash is turned into useful objects.

     The wildlife section deals with the different patterns in wildlife and how to use field guides. Spigler says aquatics deals with “the different macro and vertebrates that are different indicators for stream health.” 

     Sophomore Michael O’Leary was in the forestry group for this school year. He said “in forestry we used tools to measure trees and to see if they fit inside of a circle.” A guide also helped the forestry students identify the specific types of trees. 

     According to Spigler, “the hardest test is soils because it is so subjective.” At the competition the testers dig a hole so participants can determine the different layers, colors, and qualities of the soil. From this information students determine the amount of clay, slit, and the type of soil.

     This year’s county wide competition was at Anita C. Leight Estuary Center and was inside for some and outside for others. O’Leary says that “if it were a normal year we would have gone through every different section, but because of COVID restrictions I could only do forestry.”

     Information about Envirothon club can be found through Mrs. O’Leary. Spigler notes, “I heard about the club at the open house from Mrs. O’Leary and her daughter Erin O’Leary.” During the open house there is a table set up with information about the club, according to Spigler. 

     As a participant in the natural resources strand of the North Harford Agricultural Program, Spigler was encouraged to join in his freshman year. Now he is the current captain of the A team and was able to attend his second county competition as a senior.