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Envirothon / Environmental and Natural Resources Career Development Event Team Competition

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Envirothon / Environmental and Natural Resources Career Development Event Team Competition ENVIROTHON / ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENT TEAM COMPETITION Rules and Regulations Booklet Alabama FFA Association TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Purpose ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Mission of Envirothon ..................................................................................................................... 3 Eligibility and Regulations .............................................................................................................. 3 State Awards/Sponsors .................................................................................................................... 3 General Event Rules ..................................................................................................................... 4-5 Event Format .................................................................................................................................. 5 Scoring ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Resources/Information .................................................................................................................... 6 Current Topic................................................................................................................................... 6 Learning Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 6-9 Sample Test Questions ............................................................................................................. 10-12 Complex Environmental Problem (CEP) ................................................................................. 13-14 Contacts ......................................................................................................................................... 14 Sample State Envirothon (Env./Nat Res CDE) Schedule ............................................................. 15 Oral Presentation Rubric ............................................................................................................... 16 Event Tabulation Sheet.................................................................................................................. 17 Alabama State Department of Education, Dr. Eric G. Mackey State Superintendent of Education The Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, disability, sex, religion, national origin, or age in its programs, activities, or employment and provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person is responsible for handling inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, Alabama State Department of Education, P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, AL 36130-2101, telephone (334) 694-4746. Revised September 2020 Page 2 of 17 ENVIROTHON / ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES CDE PURPOSE Envirothon is an outdoor (weather permitting), problem-solving competition for high school students based on natural resources and the environment. The Envirothon program develops students’ knowledge of natural resources in five environmental areas: aquatic ecology, forestry, soil/land use, wildlife and a current environmental issue (CEI) which changes annually and is chosen by the state or provincial hosts of the national competition. The program emphasizes the importance of environmental sensitivity while addressing the need to achieve a social, ecological and economic balance. The Envirothon provides students with the motivation, knowledge and skills to actively take part in environmental and natural resource problem solving. Natural resource professionals/educators act as role models and sources of information. The commitment of Alabama Envirothon is to teach practical solutions to current environmental concerns. Our goals encompass the protection of our natural resources and an understanding of their effective utilization. MISSION OF ENVIROTHON The mission of Envirothon is to develop knowledgeable, skilled and dedicated citizens who are willing and prepared to work towards achieving and maintaining a natural balance between the quality of life and the quality of the environment. The Envirothon mission is accomplished by developing in young people an understanding of the principles of natural resource management and ecology and through practice dealing with complex resource management decisions. ELIGIBILITY AND REGULATIONS Envirothon is a team based program of conservation education which involves local, state and national contests. The emphasis is on practical, hands-on conservation. The contests are based on the five environmental areas above. An oral presentation on the complex environmental problem (CEP) requires application of the knowledge gained of the environment. The Alabama Envirothon is a three-day event; usually Thursday through Saturday. Envirothon teams consist of 5 members and can have up to two alternates. All members must attend the same school and be in grades 7-12. Schools may enter more than one team space permitting. Although Page 3 of 17 Alabama allows middle school students to participate in the state event, winning teams will have to defer to national guidelines on age/grade restrictions and other contest regulations for NCF Envirothon (envirothon.org) and/or the National FFA Environmental and Natural Resources CDE (ffa.org). DISCLAIMER In the event that contests (CDE, LDE, TDE’s) cannot be held in person, a virtual option may be conducted. Contest rules and guidelines are subject to change to meet the needs of a virtual experience. STATE AWARDS/SPONSOR(S) Refer to Alabama FFA Contests and Awards Booklet at: http://www.alabamaffa.org/ on the Forms and Applications page Alabama Envirothon is co-sponsored by Legacy, Inc.; Alabama Association of Conservation Districts; Alabama Department of Environmental Management; Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils; Natural Resources Conservation Service; Alabama Cooperative Extension System; Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and the Alabama Forestry Commission Page 4 of 17 GENERAL EVENT RULES 1. The state FFA Envirothon/Environmental and Natural Resources CDE will follow all official rules of the Alabama State Envirothon, as well as any additional rules listed below. 2. Competitors must be enrolled in grade levels 7-12 during the current school year and be dues paying FFA members. Although Alabama allows middle school students to participate in the state event, winning teams will have to defer to nation guidelines on age/grade restrictions for National Envirothon (envirothon.org) and/or the National FFA Environmental and Natural Resources CDE (ffa.org). 3. Each team will consist of five members from the same school and/or organization. FFA teams must declare their status as an FFA team to the event officials before the event begins. 4. Alternates may attend if they are properly registered at the competition and are the responsibility of advisors of the team. Attendance is determined by space available. 5. Each team must be accompanied by adult team advisor(s). Advisors are permitted to attend training sessions but please refrain from asking questions other than for clarification. It is the responsibility of the students to take notes. Advisors are not permitted to attend testing. 6. Transportation and meals in route to and from state event are the responsibility of each team. 7. Team members and advisors must use the lodging and meal service provided. Teams and advisors will be housed in the same buildings. 8. No electronic, battery-powered or solar powered equipment may be used by team members during training, testing, oral presentation preparation, or oral presentations unless such equipment is provided by the Envirothon committee for use during the competition. 9. Team members are not to be in possession of cell phones and walki-talkies or any other communication devices during testing or while working on oral presentation. This can lead to disqualification. 10. Team members may not use cameras during training and testing. 11. All reference materials to be used during the competition will be supplied by the envirothon committee or the resource person responsible for an individual station. 12. Oral Presentations: a. Team oral presentations will be 20 minutes maximum length, followed by 10 minutes of questions to team members by the judges. b. All 5 team members MUST participate orally in the presentation. c. During the oral presentations all team members must wear the AL Envirothon T shirt. d. Visual aids must be prepared on –site by team members. e. Oral presentation scores will be based on the Alabama Envirothon Judges Scoring Sheet. f. During the preliminary presentation rounds team advisors/ parents may observe and /or record only their own team. g. During the final presentation round all advisors and students no longer competing may observe. 13. Tobacco, drugs and all alcohol are prohibited during the entire stay. 14. Advisors will be responsible to assure that teams display proper conduct during the competition and at the host facility. 15. Stealing of, or vandalism to, personal, private or public property will not be tolerated. Possible actions may include, but are not limited to, the following: an Envirothon
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