Education Programs:
Conservation & Water Quality
Enviroscape
The Enviroscape is a three-dimensional model depicting a watershed. The model addresses Point Source and Non-Point Source Pollution shown on a variety of land uses: farm, industrial, urban, highway, forest, streambank, and lakeshore. It presents a clear picture of how pollution travels through a watershed, effecting surface water and groundwater. The model emphasizes how water pollution needs to be prevented.
Stream Model Trailer
The Stream Model Trailer simulates surface water flow and its energies; how changes upstream effect the watercourse and streambanks downstream. Topics addressed include:
Stream Dynamics
Streambank Erosion & Stabilization
Channelization
Sedimentation
The importance of wetland and riparian areas, through streambank protection and water quality, is demonstrated.
Rainfall Simulator
The Rainfall Simulator demonstrates the effects of a heavy rainstorm on unprotected cropland or building sites. Five trays, filled with soil and various levels of groundcover, are placed below the rainfall simulator. Empty containers are then placed below the trays, to catch the rain runoff. The amount of sediment and water in the containers, after the rain, is in direct proportion to the levels of groundcover.
Soil & Water Jeopardy
The Soil & Water Jeopardy gave gives students the opportunity to learn the basics of soil and water conservation. By the end of the game, they realize that without these two resources, it would be impossible to grow food. The students are taught the importance of protecting soil and water for their future.
Poster, Essay, & Limerick Contest
The Poster, Essay, & Limerick Contest gives students the opportunity to display their conservation knowledge. Douglas County students in Kindergarten through 12th grades are eligible to enter. Entries should be related to the use and/or conservation of natural resources.
Entries are judged on conservation theme, clarity of message, originality, neatness, and appearance. Entries are due by December 1 of each year. Winning entries are recognized and exhibited at the Douglas County Conservation District’s annual meeting. First place winners are then sent on for state judging.
Speech Contest For students grades 9-12. Topic for 2008 is "Power of Conservation" Speeches need to be five to eight minutes. Entries are due the first Wednesday in October. Contact us for entry forms and material on the speech topic. 1st Place winner receives $100.00 and 2nd Place $50.00. 1st Place winners are expected to compete in the Area Speech Contest
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Earth Awareness Researchers For Tommorrow's Habitat
E.A.R.T.H. is a school-based environmental education program. The program begins with teacher training where participating teachers receive award-winning curriculum and supply kits. The curriculum includes 26 hands-on lessons on the topics of water, soil, air, and living resources. Supply Kits are worth over $500 -- an invaluable resource to teachers on limited budgets. Trained teachers then return to the classroom and use the E.A.R.T.H. lessons with their students during the school year. Each spring, students attend a culminating Student Workshop hosted by the local E.A.R.T.H. group. At the Workshop students participate in hands-on sessions on local environmental issues. The workshop connects students with local environmental experts who give them real world applications to their in-class environmental studies.
__________________________ Poster – Essay – Limerick Rules
Poster Rules
Subject matter shall be related to the use and/or conservation of natural resources with a special emphasis on the conservation and protection of soil and water. Posters shall be on 12” x 18” paper
Posters shall be arranged for horizontal display only. (See examples)
Posters may be computer generated, in pencil, pen and ink, paint, watercolor, crayon, cut paper, etc.
Posters must be identified ON THE BACK of poster in lower left hand corner using attached form.
Poster shall NOT be mounted on other background materials. Limerick Rules Subject matter shall be related to the use and/or conservation of natural resources with a special emphasis on the conservation and protection of soil and water. Limericks shall have name or title.
Limericks shall be on 12” x 18” paper for horizontal display only. (See examples)
Limericks must be identified ON THE BACK of limerick in lower left hand corner using attached form In the limerick, the basic unit (called a foot) contains three syllables, with heavy accent or beat on the third syllable: ta-ta-TUM. Three such units (or feet) are in the first, second and fifth lines; two in the third and fourth lines. The heavy beat or accent must always fall on a syllable, which can properly be accented. Example below: Save the Soil Oh my land / Oh my land / said the man
As he thought / and he thought / of his plan
Lots of toil / it will take
To save soil / from my lake
I’ll plant grass / on my farm/ said glad Stan Essay Rules Subject matter shall be related to the use and/or conservation of natural resources with a special emphasis on the conservation and protection of soil and water. An essay shall NOT exceed five hundred words and must be double spaced typewritten copy on 8 ½” x 11” paper.
Essays must be identified ON THE BACK of page in lower left hand corner using attached form Suggestions for easy readability:
DO NOT USE ONLY UPPER CASE TYPE IN YOUR ESSAY.
Do Not print entire essay in bold type
Use a font that is easy to read such as: Arial, Times New Roman.
Use a font size that is reasonable. Sizes 10,11 or 12 work well. Speech Contest Rules The contest is open to all high school in learning levels 9 through 12. Entrants must be a resident of the State of Kansas All previous first place state winners in this contest are ineligible. Entrants may compete in the contest conducted by the conservation district where they attend school. Entrants may participate in only one district contest. Contestants who win a district contest during their senior year are eligible to continue in the fall. Order of participation will be determined by the drawing of numbers. The speeches given by contestants must be at least five (5) minutes long and not longer than eight (8)minutes. Failure to meet the time requirements will result in penalty of deducting (1) point for each 10 seconds over minutes or under 5 minutes being assessed by the judges scoring the speeches. An official timekeeper will designated for the contest. Timecards will be used. Contestants are to remain out side the room until their turn to speak. Contestants will be permitted to use notes if the notes are on 3” x 5” cards. A sentence outline of the speech must be presented to the judges. Contestants are encourage to include brief bibliography with their outline (3 COPIES). Speeches will be judged on originality, aptness of thought, accuracy of information, and the manner in which they delivered. The judges may converse with the contestants after the speech, if necessary. Certificates or plaques will be awarded on the district and area levels. Scholarships of $500.00 for the first place and $250.00 for second place will be awarded to the winners at the state level. The speech contest is sponsored by the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts. For more details, contact the Douglas County Conservation District at: (785)843-4260 ext 3.
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