Saratoga, Pa., Team Wins 2009 Canon Envirothon
A five-member team of high school students from Penncrest High School in Sanatoga, Pa., are the winners of the 2009 Canon Envirothon.
The winning team was announced on Aug. 7, during the closing ceremony of the North American environmental education competition held at the University of North Carolina – Asheville and sponsored by Canon U.S.A., Inc.
The first-place team received a total of $25,000 in Canon scholarships along with Canon video equipment for their adviser and sponsoring agency/organizations to use in science education.
The other place winners are:
- West Johnston High School in Benson, N.C., ($20,000), second place;
- Carroll County High School in Westminster, Md., ($15,000), third place;
- Wilmington Charter School in Wilmington, Del. ($10,000), fourth place;
- Pembroke Hill High School in Kansas City, Mo., ($7,500), fifth place.
Throughout the competition, teams were tested on their knowledge of soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife and a current environmental issue. This year's current issue topic was "Biodiversity in a Changing World". Students analyzed the long-term and short-term impact of natural environmental occurrences and human activities on genes, species and ecosystems relative to how each may influence or directly impact their future. The competition is organized by the National Association of Conservation Districts, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and in Canada by the Provincial Forestry Associations.
More than 260 teenagers from 45 U.S. states and seven Canadian provinces participated. "Congratulations to all of the teams that participated in this year's Canon Envirothon," said Jack Suzuki, senior director and general manager, Corporate Communications Division, Canon U.S.A. "The students' commitment embodies Canon's corporate philosophy of Kyosei – all people, regardless of race, religion, or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future."
The 2010 competition will be held at the University of California – Merced, July 31-Aug. 7.