Oral Presentation Topic & Resources
In the Virginia Envirothon, each high school team presents a solution to a real-world environmental issue to a panel of judges. Teams are provided with the same Oral Presentation scenario across the Commonwealth, which changes annually based on a special topic selected by the International Envirothon host and NCF. These scenarios address environmental challenges that are significant both globally and within Virginia, allowing students to deepen their understanding through research and the development of creative, practical solutions. For details on the current Oral Presentation scenario and available resources, please follow the links on this page.
The 2025 Program Current Issue Topic is “Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change”
“The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is a crucial skill when addressing environmental issues, particularly in situations where collaborative efforts are required to develop practical solutions and affect change. The Envirothon strives to promote the development of oral communication skills in each student participant, which is why the oral presentation is emphasized as a major component of the total competition score at the NCF-Envirothon annual international competition.”
Oral Presentations – NCF-Envirothon
Oral Presentation Question for the 2024-2025 Virginia Dominion Energy Envirothon Program:
- Click here for the 2024-2025 Oral Presentation Problem
- Click here for a list of resources
- Special Topic Training Session: Date and details TBD (likely in January/February)
- Please note- the only visual aids allowed will be Microsoft PowerPoint(PPT). Google slides may be used in creating the presentation but should be downloaded to a PPT file for competition day. No video or sound files may be included in PPT files.
Oral Presentation Scoring Resources:
- Judges Score Sheet 2025 (the official rubric)
- Judges Guidance Sheet 2025 (guidance for each section of the rubric on how it should be scored)
- Judges Notetaking Sheet 2025
Oral Presentation Resources:
- 2024-2025 Current Issues Key Topics
- Virginia 4-H Public Speaking Skills Handout
- Video: Presentation Tips by Toastmaster Leigh Prom
Previous Oral Presentation Winner Videos:
2023 Top Two Oral Presentations at the 2023 Virginia Dominion Energy Envirothon Competition:
- Louisa County H.S. Envirothon Team 1st Place in the Oral Presentation Category
- Jamestown H.S. Envirothon Team 2nd Place Oral Presentation Category
2022 Top Two Oral Presentations at the 2022 Virginia Dominion Energy Envirothon Competition
- Louisa County H.S. Envirothon Team 1st Place in the Oral Presentation Category
- Jamestown H.S. Envirothon Team 2nd Place in the Oral Presentation Category
2021 Top Two Oral Presentations at the 2021 Virtual Virginia Dominion Energy Envirothon Competition
- Louisa County H.S. Envirothon Team 1st Place in the Oral Presentation Category
- Albermarle H.S. Envirothon Team 2nd Place in the Oral Presentation Category
2019 Top Two Oral Presentations at the 2019 Virginia Dominion Energy Envirothon Competition
- Lousia County H.S. Envirothon Team 1st Place in the Oral Presentation Category
- Jamestown H.S. Envirothon Team 2nd Place in the Oral Presentation Category
Oral Presentation Excellence Award
- Started in 2019, thanks to an anonymous donor, the Soil & Water Conservation District whose team places 1st in the Oral Presentation category at the Virginia Dominion Energy Envirothon State Competition will receive $400 to help strengthen their Envirothon Program. Past recipients:
- 2019- Thomas Jefferson SWCD(Louisa County HS Envirothon Team)
- 2021- Thomas Jefferson SWCD (Louisa County HS Envirothon Team)
- 2022- Thomas Jefferson SWCD (Louisa County HS Envirothon Team)
- 2023- Thomas Jefferson SWCD (Louisa County HS Envirothon Team)
- 2024- Culpeper SWCD (Eastern View HS Envirothon Team)
Virginia Envirothon Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives include Key Points, learning activities, and resource links. For additional resources, see the VASWCD Envirothon Resources page.
The learning objectives of the Virginia Envirothon correlate with the National Science Standards and the Virginia Standards of Learning.