Education at St. Mary's Soil Conservation District

Science Fair

The 48th annual St. Mary's County Science and Engineering Fair was held at Great Mills High School on February 2, 2008. The District participates each year by presenting a special merit award in each of the junior and senior categories for the project that best demonstrates soil conservation and water quality goals and objectives.

Both winners received certificates and a check for fifty dollars. Congratulations to both of our winners for their exceptional projects.

St. Mary's County Science and Engineering Fair Website

Claire Reining
Junior Division Winner 2008
Project: Patuxent River Water Quality
Spring Ridge Middle School

Elizabeth Thompson
Senior Division Winner 2008
Project: Eroding Farm Fields
Leonardtown High School

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Poster Contest

The 2008 theme for the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts Poster Contest is "Water is Life". Participants must develop a poster that is between 8^1/2 "x 11" and 22" x 28" depicting their interpretation of the theme. Entries are divided into five (5) classes and are judged on the following criteria: conservation message (adherence to theme), visual effectiveness, originality, and universal appeal. All poster submissions must have a completed entry form attached to the back. Poster contest guidelines and the entry form are mailed to the art teachers in each public and parochial school.

Eligible entries are judged locally in May. Winners will receive ribbons and cash awards. First place winners will be entered in the state contest held during the MASCD annual meeting in July.

The 2008 St. Mary's County winners were:

2nd – 3rd Grade
1st Place -  Alaina Lynn Roman, Town Creek Elementary
2nd Place - Hannah Renee Keeney, Town Creek Elementary
3rd Place - Megumi Russ Martin, Town Creek Elementary

4th – 6th Grade
1st Place -   Melody Summers, White Marsh Elementary
2nd Place -   Tyler Lane Schilling, Leonardtown Elementary
3rd Place - Jacob Troy Neville, White Marsh Elementary

10th – 12th Grade
1st Place -   Amy Marie Hofmeister, Great Mills High School
2nd Place -   Rachel Erin Cardwell, Great Mills High School
3rd Place - Megan N. Morris, Great Mills High School

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Coloring Contest

Each year the District participates in the Maryland Association
of Soil Conservation Districts coloring contest. The contest is
open to all students in grades kindergarten through 5. The District
sends coloring sheets to every public and parochial school in the
county around the beginning of March each year. Completed sheet
s must be returned to the District by the established deadline date
to be judged locally.

The contest is divided into three (3) classes; Class A (K-1), Class B (2-3), and Class C (4-5). First , second, and third place ribbons and cash are awarded in each class. The first place winners go on to compete against other winners from around the state at our summer association meeting.

The St. Mary's 2008 winners are:

KINDERGARTEN – 1st Grade
1st Place -   James Eldrei G. Magkasi, Greenview Knollls
2nd Place -   McKayla Barrett, Dynard Elementary
3rd Place -   Maggie Coughlan, GW Carver Elementary

2nd – 3rd Grade
1st Place -   Megami Wauke Velasquez, Greenview Knolls Elementary
2nd Place -   Chase Foster, St. John’s School
3rd Place -   Jacelyn Farinas, GW Carver Elementar

4th – 5th Grade
1st Place -   Melanie Hartenstein, Piney Point Elementary
2nd Place -   Michelle Horne, Piney Point Elementary
3rd Place -   Patrizia Pelingon, Lexington Park Elementary

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Envirothon

The Envirothon is a problem solving natural resource competition for high school student teams. In St. Mary's County, the Envirothon is sponsored by the District with financial support coming from many local businesses, organizations, and individuals. The Envirothon is open to all schools, organized clubs, and home schoolers in grades 9-12.

Five (5) member teams of students are tested on their knowledge in five (5) natural resource areas; aguatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and a current natural resource issue. Training is provided year round starting with the school year in September and culminates with the testing in April. The training is provided by natural resource professionals using as much hands-on demonstration as the topic will allow.

Individual awards are given to each member of the team that wins each subject area, and group awards are presented to the top three (3) high scoring teams. The first place winner goes on to represent St. Mary's County at the State Competition.

For more information on the Envirothon, click the envirothon logo below or contact Bruce Young or Haley Carter.

2009 Resources
2009 Canon Learning Topic & Objectives
2009 Current Maryland Resources (coming later this year!)

Envirothon Calendar of Events
   - Fall Training, TBD
   - Spring Training, TBD
   - County Competition, TBD
   - State Competition, TBD
   - Canon International Competition, University of North Carolina, Asheville,
       August 2-8, 2009

2008 Sponsors
2008 County Competition Score Sheet

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