Need an out-of-the-box STEM activity for your high schoolers that’s also a tool for resum building and for career and college preparation? An activity that looks great on scholarship and job applications?

The Envirothon is a team competition for high school students- a problem-solving, natural resource education program. In the field, teams of five students are challenged to sharpen critical thinking skills and to work as a team. They conduct hands-on investigations and answer written questions concerning environmental issues in five categories: aquatics, forestry, wildlife, soils and current environmental issues.

This competition provides an incentive for students to integrate and apply knowledge and skills learned in biology, chemistry, earth science, botany, zoology and other science disciplines. It stimulates, reinforces and enhances students’ interest in the environment, Iowa’s natural resources and related careers. Of course, there is also the incentive of travel, scholarships, prizes and prestige!

And now, for the deal you can’t pass up: Registrations are due to Conservation Districts of Iowa by Friday, February 7, and Tama SWCD is volunteering to reimburse your team’s registration fee! Contact melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net or 641-484-2702, extension 3 by February 5 if you would like Tama SWCD to sponsor your school’s team(s).

Check out Iowa Envirothon at cdiowa.org/get-involved/envirothon/ for regional competition dates and locations and to find a registration form!