Ballston Spa Students Compete at Regional Envirothon Competition

BALLSTON SPA — The members of the Ballston Spa High School Envirothon Team recently competed in the Saratoga Regional Envirothon Competition at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. The event was held in-person this year after being held virtually during the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions. The team placed first in the Aquatics and Forestry categories, and second overall in the county.

Team members are Henry LaBarge, Cameron McKay, Allie Hunter, Jestin Ratti, and Asa Coleman. The team was coached by Ballston Spa High School Science instructor Mrs. Karin Marcotullio.

“The NYS Envirothon is an excellent opportunity for our students to apply their knowledge and skills to problems within our environment that need – perhaps desperately need – our attention and the attention of our next generation of scientists,” indicated Ballston Spa K-12 STEM Coordinator Diane Irwin.

The NY State Envirothon, sponsored by the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Districts, is designed to test students’ knowledge and understanding of natural resource issues within New York State. It also strives to cultivate students’ desire to learn more about our natural resources and environmental issues.

Envirothon activities begin locally with teams of five 9th through 12th grade students competing for their County Envirothon title. Local competitions are sponsored by their Conservation Districts, with a helping hand from local environmental recreational civic groups and businesses. County winners then move on to the state contest where their knowledge is challenged in five areas: aquatic ecology, forestry, soils & land use, wildlife, and a current environmental issue. 

For more information, please visit www.nysenvirothon.org.