Trees Company Blog
Welcome to the Ontario Envirothon Virtual Lab
Posted: 2020.05.11
Launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario Envirothon Virtual Lab is a digital hub for students and educators to learn about and engage with environmental education and training. Each week will focus on core Envirothon topics and feature expert-led videos and engaging home-based activities. There is no need to register, and resources can be accessed at any time once launched.
Participants will be challenged to showcase their newfound knowledge at the end of the Virtual Lab by completing an online quiz. Anyone who completes the quiz before July 17, 2020 is eligible to receive a digital certificate! A complete schedule of resources and release dates can be found below. We hope you will join us!
Forests Week
You better be-leaf that we are kicking off the 2020 Ontario Envirothon Virtual Lab with a look at forests and sustainable forest management! Join in to learn about tree planting, inventorying, and silviculture.
May 22 – Open Lab
Our first Open Lab will be an Instagram Q&A about tree identification and forest ecology. Ask your questions to Forests Ontario’s Instagram Friday morning, May 22, and stay tuned for our answers!
Soils Week
Everything around us, in some way or another, comes from soil. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty as we explore the world beneath our feet in week two of the 2020 Ontario Envirothon Virtual Lab!
May 28 – Resource Release: Soil Textural Demo
May 29 – Open Lab: DIY Soil Profile
For this week’s Open Lab, we challenge you to create a DIY soil profile of your own using any household materials or craft supplies – no digging required! Share your creations with us using #ONEnvirothon for a chance to win an OE buff.
Aquatics & Wildlife Week
From birds in the trees to insects in the water, nature and its living (or biotic) components are all around us. Grab your virtual lab coats and get ready to learn about wildlife and aquatic ecosystems in week three!
June 5 – Open Lab: Envirothon iNaturalist Project
For this Open Lab, we are asking participants to grab their binoculars, cameras, and identification books to participate in a citizen science project! Join the Ontario Envirothon iNaturalist Project and discover the flora and fauna living in your community.
Waste Management Week & Wrap Up
Take a dive into the dumpster this week with a look into what gets tossed and how we sort it. The week will wrap up with fun online quiz covering all the Virtual Lab resources! Complete the quiz for a participation certificate.
June 11 – Open Lab: Not All Plastics are Created Equal
For our final Open Lab, we’re challenging you to take stock of the different plastics found in and around your home. Complete a room-by-room tally and conduct research into what these common items can become.
June 12 – Envirothon Virtual Lab Quiz
Put your new enviro-smarts to the test with the Envirothon Virtual Lab Quiz! Quiz will be accessible until July 17, 2020, digital participation certificate provided upon successful completion of the quiz.