Studying all that’s green, students compete as a team

NH is home to clubs that specialize in everything from animals to investing.  One active organization is the Envirothon team, which is a competitive group that study things related to environmental science.

  Preparation involves getting a prompt and studying the prompt to find the best solution. This year, the team was given a “dairy farm” and they have to find the best way to keep their dairy farm the most environmentally friendly.

The Hawks team has shown their environmental science skills winning counties the past 2 years. Advisor Mrs. Laura O’Leary says this year’s team “is very young” yet many of the teammates are “very smart and interested” in environmental science.  She adds that the team “is missing” 4 of their 5 students from their A team because they graduated, making for extra challenges with the new team.

Those involved with the teams believe envirothon is a good experience for students as they get to work alongside with workers in the science field expanding their horizon of science.

O’Leary is confident with their ability to share their knowledge at envirothon but adds that “there will always be competition,” since many other schools in Harford County will put up a fight to take home the win and benefit from living in such a rural county.

Senior Will Eakes loves participating in envirothon saying his favorite part is “going outside and learning about nature in nature.” He adds “solving real world environmental issues” makes envirothon more fun. Taking part in envirothon allows Eakes to “spend time in nature” and put his knowledge “to the test.”

Junior Matt Weir adds that he “likes the 5th topic,” which is where you are given a real life problem and you have to find the best way to solve it.

Junior Brennan Stewart says he enjoys being with the “people on the team and Mrs. O’leary,” adding that they are “fun to hangout with and make practice more enjoyable.” Stewart also says that this club is a great opportunity to “develop teamwork”  and “learn about new, interesting topics.”

Despite the young team this year  O’Leary says many students on the team have a talent for environmental science. Using information learned from envirothon will benefit students in the future.