Seven students compete in the 2010 End of Winter Challenge
Katie Collins, '12 | Staff Reporter
Issue date: 3/19/10 Section: News
Three weeks ago Brendan Kelly, an assistant professor of forestry and renewable resources, and William Snyder hosted the first MSC Environmental Sciences Department End of Winter Challenge 2010. The race was open to anyone, but only seven students competed.
Inspired by the winter Olympics, students competed in a three-quarter mile race in MSC's Galbreath's Farm. The competitors were given a map and had to race to identify four different types of trees and a beaver's skull.
Kelly said part of the competition was to test the students' skills they learned in class. One test was to identify trees and animals in Latin. Third place winner, Brian O'Connell said students are required to learn basic Latin because that is how things are identified in Europe.
The competitors had to carry their own gear. Whether carried in a book bag or a specialty jacket, the competitors had to have a compass, first aid kit, notebook and paper. They were also required to wear a hard hat. They laughed in the beginning when told they had to carry a granola bar and water, but by the end of the race Kelly said the students were happy to have the items. To maneuver through the snow, students also had to have snow shoes with them.
O'Connell said the course was made up of wild terrain with hills and a wooded lot. He said it was fun racing through the snow. Without the help of the snow shoes, which keep the runners on top of the snow, the race would have been more difficult. O'Connell said he did not fall, but there were some that did.
Overall, the race was close, but if a competitor got a question wrong, they were penalized one minute.
Unaware that there would be prizes, O'Connell won a pair of white thermal socks.
First and second place winners were unavailable for comment, but O'Connell said they won a compass and thermal socks.
Kelly and Snyder intend on doing the challenge again. Kelly said they would like to have a challenge every season. Currently they are considering some type of canoe challenge when the weather is warmer.
Inspired by the winter Olympics, students competed in a three-quarter mile race in MSC's Galbreath's Farm. The competitors were given a map and had to race to identify four different types of trees and a beaver's skull.
Kelly said part of the competition was to test the students' skills they learned in class. One test was to identify trees and animals in Latin. Third place winner, Brian O'Connell said students are required to learn basic Latin because that is how things are identified in Europe.
The competitors had to carry their own gear. Whether carried in a book bag or a specialty jacket, the competitors had to have a compass, first aid kit, notebook and paper. They were also required to wear a hard hat. They laughed in the beginning when told they had to carry a granola bar and water, but by the end of the race Kelly said the students were happy to have the items. To maneuver through the snow, students also had to have snow shoes with them.
O'Connell said the course was made up of wild terrain with hills and a wooded lot. He said it was fun racing through the snow. Without the help of the snow shoes, which keep the runners on top of the snow, the race would have been more difficult. O'Connell said he did not fall, but there were some that did.
Overall, the race was close, but if a competitor got a question wrong, they were penalized one minute.
Unaware that there would be prizes, O'Connell won a pair of white thermal socks.
First and second place winners were unavailable for comment, but O'Connell said they won a compass and thermal socks.
Kelly and Snyder intend on doing the challenge again. Kelly said they would like to have a challenge every season. Currently they are considering some type of canoe challenge when the weather is warmer.