I. Participant Eligibility
- Students enrolled in grades 9 through 12 are eligible to participate. Community college students and 8th graders may participate under special circumstances as determined by the Forestry Challenge (FC) Coordinator.
- Teams will consist of two to five students from the same school, homeschool, tribe, or scouting group. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the FC Coordinator. More than one team may enter from each school. However, there may be a need to restrict the number of teams per school, since the total capacity of the virtual event is 120 teams.
- A teacher advisor must register with each team. A teacher can advise more than one team from the same school.
- Each participant must submit a signed Release Form in order to participate. This form must be turned in prior to the start date of the session in which the student’s team is participating.
- The teacher advisor must arrange for and be part of video conference calls with their mentor forester that occur prior to each team’s event session. All other conferencing sessions with adults will be monitored by Forestry Challenge staff and recorded to ensure that all conversations are of a professional nature. The teacher will be responsible to assure that team members display proper conduct during the event.
II. Participant Behavior
- All students are expected to fully participate in all aspects of the event.
- Teachers are not allowed to actively participate in testing or focus topic presentation preparation.
- Participants are expected to behave in a professional manner, consistent with behavior appropriate to the workplace. Harassment, bullying, and any form of discrimination is NOT appropriate workplace behavior. Any observance or reporting of such actions will be thoroughly investigated and disciplined. Disciplinary actions can include disqualification and/or dismissal from the event.
III. Registration Fees and Deadlines
- Schools that pre-registered by June 30, 2020 have first priority for registering for the virtual event. If space allows, non pre-registered schools will be invited to participate.
- A completed registration form (available online) must be submitted by September 30, 2020 for all sessions.
- The virtual event will not have any registration fees.
- Student substitutions are allowed until 10:00 p.m. the Wednesday evening prior to the start of a team’s session. New students must complete the registration form and release form to become a part of a team.
IV. Competition Components and Expectations
- The FC has two parts: an online Test and a Presentation. The two parts will be scored separately. The Test will be worth 40% and the Presentation will be worth 60% of the total score.
- The Test is completed as a team with the team captain submitting the team’s answers and is comprehensive in nature. The test key will be made available at the conclusion of all sessions. The FC Coordinator or designee will be available to answer questions.
- Test questions will be developed using the FC Learning Modules but are not necessarily limited to those items. Knowledge of basic scientific and ecological concepts may be tested as well.
- The use of multiple electronic devices is not allowed during testing. The interpretive nature of the test questions will not be conducive to assistance from a cell phone or other electronic device.
- Each team’s Test and Presentation scores will be totaled and overall place awards will be announced on a live video event the day after the conclusion of the last session. All participants who complete the event will receive a Certificate of Participation and a t-shirt.
V. Other
- Students and advisors will be asked to complete an electronic evaluation form at the conclusion of the event.
- Grievances must be submitted by email to the FC Coordinator by the end of the day that each session ends. Grievances will be reviewed by the Coordinator and discussed with involved judges and/or volunteers. The Coordinator’s decisions are final.
- FC rules are subject to change by the Coordinator. Any changes will be explained in advance to all teams and teacher advisors.
- Any infraction of any of the FC Rules may result in disqualification and/or dismissal from the event.
Updated September 3, 2020
A downloadable PDF of the Rules is available by clicking here.