Education

Education

Envirothon

The Area VIII Envirothon is an environmental competition for high school teams to challenge their environmental knowledge and problem solving skills. Five learning stations are presented by natural resource professionals in the fields of water, wildlife, forestry, soils and a current environmental issue. In addition, students will be asked to make a 10 minute oral presentation on the current event issue at a sixth station. The contest takes place in an outdoor setting. Teams are composed of 4 to 5 students. At each station, teams are given a short presentation and students must then answer 20 questions specific to that site.

Any student teams, grades 9-12, from high schools, home schools, or club organizations (4-H, Boy/Girl Scouts etc.) in Area VIII may participate. Area VIII consists of the northcentral Minnesota counties of Itasca, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, and Wadena. Each team needs an adult advisor, and lunch is provided!

Poster, Video and Essay Contest

Each year the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) and a handful of other organizations put together an educational packet for school aged kids. The packet includes environmental information, classroom activities, posters and entry information for the annual poster, video and essay contests. A different theme is chosen for each year and is announced in the packet. There is something for all ages from elementary all the way through high school aged students. One packet is provided to each school in Itasca County each fall and participation is decided by the school.

EnviroScape Nonpoint Source Pollution Demonstration

The Itasca SWCD owns an EnvironScape nonpoint source pollution model which is used to demonstrate how pollution from point and nonpoint sources moves through a watershed and into lakes and rivers. The model is used for educational purposes for people of all ages so they can visualize the effects people have on the landscape and how that relates to water quality. Upon request, one of the members of our staff will present the model to schools and other interested groups. The model is also on display at out booth at the Itasca County Fair. Contact us to schedule a demonstration of the EnviroScape model.

1889 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 • Phone: 218.326.0017 • Fax: 218.326.8938