28 • 05 • 2012
Most resourceful and skillful reach Forest Olympiad finals
For the first time this year, all semi-finalists gathered at the Mezaparks Open Air Stage to test their erudition and agility in orienteering stages. Out of nearly 100 participants, 18 best qualified for the June 28 finals where they will compete for the main prize – a trip to Norway.
In the semi-finals, each school had prepared a homework assignment, creatively displaying its forest connection. Rugāji Region Secondary School children (grade 4) staged a theatrical performance with corresponding costumes and songs about birds. Gulbene Bērzi Primary School children (grades 5 and 6) proudly spoke about their Mammadaba Embassy title. Mazzalve Primary School fifth graders even came up with a catchy slogan – “Do not drink Red Bull, visit forests instead and fly on wings!” The jovial triplets from Vecumnieki Secondary School (grade 5) recited poems about forests. Līgatne Region Secondary School pupils (grades 1-7) shared stories about their local everyday relations with nature. One of them invited everyone to carve unique wooden spoons at the Ligatne Spoon Workshop, where his grandfather is the main craftsman. Rīga Secondary School №6 third graders concluded the presentation of assignments by showing off their musical skills and playing wooden instruments. Cūkmens (Pigman) watched all performances, shaking hands with those he believed to be the most original performers.
The participants of the 2012 Forest Olympiad finals, which will be held in Tērvete Nature Park on June 28, will be:
· RugājiRegion Secondary Schoolteacher Agita Kukurāne and fourth graders Dārta Stivriņa and Reinis Ozoliņš
· RīgaSecondary School№6 teacher Sanita Zveja and third graders Emīlija Lotte Markovska and Artis Mūsiņš
· GulbeneBērzi Primary Schoolteacher Dace Kļava and sixth graders Eva Bizika and Rolands Tipāns
· MazzalvePrimary Schoolteacher Anda Freimane and fifth graders Paula Ozoliņa and Kārlis Artūrs Ziemelis.
· VecumniekiSecondary Schoolteacher Ilze Cīrule and fifth graders Emīlija Briede and Pīters Patriks Sprūds.
· LīgatneRegion Secondary Schoolteacher Ilze Cīrule and Samanta Baumane (klases nr nav noradīts lv relīzē!) and Dāvis Pipirs (grade 6).
195 teachers from 81 schools across Latvia participated in the 2012 Forest Olympiad. This year’s topic was a considerable challenge for all teachers – Information Sciences in Forests! All teachers and students of grades 1-9 can participate in the Olympiad, organized within the framework of JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” environmental education program “Learning about Forests” and the Mammadaba Master Classes. The Olympiad is held in nature and JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” awards the winners with an exciting nature expedition abroad. Other participants receive prizes from Tallink.
The goal of the Olympiad is to encourage teachers to include topics and events related to gaining knowledge, experience, skills with children being in direct contact with forests and their surrounding environment, in general education courses. JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” would like to thank all teachers and children for their creative efforts, urging one and all to participate in the next year’s Olympiad and invite others as well!
Information prepared by:
Irēna Žabinska
LVM Communications Project Manager
Phone: 28381548, e-mail:
