Advanced Placement Environmental Science

Course Overview:

AP Environmental Science is a rigorous two-semester course that examines a variety of natural science and social science disciplines. The class meets Monday through Friday for a 45-minute period. The course is designed to expose students and equips them with an understanding of a wide variety of topics that are a part of the environmental science field. The laboratory components help them to display their understanding of and apply major concepts to scenario in everyday life and prepare them for the future so that they will become informed citizens who will value and protect the environment. All students enrolled in the course are required to participate in the College Board exam in May. The ultimate goal however is to promote proficiency in the subject so that each student will score a passing grade in the Advanced Placement College Board exam.

The course provides instruction to each of the following six themes and seven content areas described below:

Themes

1. Science is a Process. Science is a method of learning more about the world. Science constantly changes the way we understand the world.

2. Energy Conversions underlie all Ecological Processes. Energy cannot be created; it must come from somewhere. As energy flows through systems, at each step more of it becomes unusable.

3. The Earth itself is one Interconnected System. Natural systems change over time and space. Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.

4. Humans alter Natural Systems. Humans have had an impact on the environment for millions of years. Technology and population growth have enabled humans to increase both the \rate and scale of their impact on the environment.

5. Environmental Problems have a Cultural and Social Context. Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions.

6. Human Survival Depends on Developing Practices that will Achieve Sustainable Systems.

A suitable combination of conservation and development is required. Management of common resources is essential.

Content Areas

Earth Systems and Resources (10-15%)

The Living World (10-15%)

Population (10-15%)

Land and Water Use (10-15%)

Energy Resources and Consumption (10-15%)

Pollution (25-30%)

Global Change (10-15%)

While the course focuses on the four broad concept areas of energy, ecosystems, population and pollution, it also follows the objectives described in the Course Description for AP Environmental Science. This states that,” The course is designed to be the equivalent of a one semester college course in Environmental Science” that includes a laboratory and field investigation component. Emphasis is placed on “the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required understanding the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and manmade, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and or preventing them.” These objectives form the basis for our anticipated learning outcomes as follows:

Learning Outcomes

• identifying issues and problems in our environment and formulate hypotheses that contribute to their solution

• exploring the significance of various cultures’ decision making on the environment

• using evidence to construct and present arguments to support conclusion

• using social science perspectives to examine the nature of environmental decisions and discuss how values impact these decisions

Teaching strategies

Some lectures are delivered in PowerPoint presentations and whole group instruction. Instructions also include hands-on inquiry based, discussion, demonstrations, cooperative group work, individual in-class work, case studies and student presentations. The textbook chosen for the course has a multitude of up-to-date studies that facilitate interesting class discussions and motivates students to learn more, since the case studies relate to real-life situations.

Text books:

Cunningham, W. P. & Cunningham, M. A. (2008). Principles of environmental Science: Inquiry & application, New York: NY, McGraw- Hill, 4th Edition

ISBN: 978-0-07-305089-8

Laboratory manual:

Title: Laboratory Investigations AP* Environmental Science

Additional Resources:

1. The New York Times, Upfront-The Newsmagazine for Teens.

Laboratory and Field Work Requirements

Labs will be performed every five to eight days. All students enrolled in AP environmental science must maintain an organized laboratory folder and conduct laboratory work according to safety rules, and submit required formal laboratory reports as assigned. It is checked weekly and graded as a test at the end of each six weeks. A formal, detailed lab report will be required once each grading period. Lab reports must follow the format described in the APES student handbook. Students will complete one lab report for each long-term project that must include a research component.

During the course we will conduct at least one field study lab at central park. We will also do outdoor labs around our own school grounds as permitted by the weather.

The lab component includes traditional hands-on labs, in-class lab activities and fieldwork activities. Two field trips are included and invited speakers supplement student learning about particular topics.

The laboratory and field investigation components of this course will challenge students’ abilities to:

Critically observe environmental systems

Develop and conduct well-designed experiments

Utilize appropriate techniques and instrumentation

Analyze and interpret data, including appropriate statistical and graphical presentations

Think analytically and apply concepts to the solution of environmental problems

Make conclusions and evaluate their quality and validity

Propose further questions for study

Communicate accurately and meaningfully about observations and conclusions

Grading System

In accordance with school policy, there are three 6-week grading periods. Grades for a given six weeks will be based on the grading policies below:

Criteria That Will Affect Your Final Grade

Criteria Percentage

Exams, Tests, & Quizzes 40%

Class work & Participation 10%

Alternative Assessment(Projects, Presentations, Research Reports, & Notebook Check)

20%

Homework 10%

Lab Reports 20%

AP Environmental Science Lab Grading Policy

Participation and Attendance----------100%

Completed Lab Reports----------------100%

Follow Lab Safety Rules----------------100%

Test and Quizzes

Tests will cover from one to three chapters at a time on a biweekly basis, depending on the unit being studied. Tests will be a combination of multiple choice questions, free response questions, and will be similar to the AP Test. Tests will comprise 40% of the final course grade. There will also be midterm and final exams for each semester. Quizzes will be given on a weekly basis to monitor students’ progress, review tool for concept and to plan instructions based on assessment data. All students enrolled in the class are required to take the AP exam.

Field Trips

Two field trips are planned for this class. One will include a trip to Jamaica Bay, the other to Prospect Park in New York City.

Homework and Class Work

Students are to review class notes daily and continue with their ongoing reading assignments. Practice essay questions will be assigned throughout the term. Study guides are also a component of required homework. These will be distributed at the beginning of each chapter or unit with outlines, specific objectives, and journal prompt question for the chapter. Chapter homework will be checked weekly. Homework and class work will comprise 20% of the grade.

Notebook/Portfolio

Students will keep all completed and graded assignments in a notebook from which they select their best and most appropriate work to include in their portfolio. The final notebook/portfolio grade will count for one test grade.

Other Projects

Throughout the course students will complete group and individual projects on such topics as invasive species, environmental legislation, climate change, and biomes. Student groups will be changed every six weeks to give students the chance to work with different class members.

Deadlines and Make-up Work

The Course Planner includes a pacing guide giving approximate dates of upcoming tests, and once the class begins, students will receive weekly calendars. Therefore extensions for test are not given. If the student is absent the day before an announced exam, he is still expected to take the exam with the rest of the class.

Technology Agreement and Academic Integrity

All students sign a technology agreement the first day of school and are expected to adhere closely to it while using the Internet at school. This type of integrity will be expected to extend to the use of the Internet outside of school as well. Any form of plagiarism is unacceptable.

Though students work closely together collecting data during labs and other projects, each student is expected to write his or her own report, and only the raw data may be copied. All other portions of the lab report must be the student’s own work.

Students must write their own answers during test without the use of notes, cell phones, or pre-programmed calculators. Students must not ask any other students about a test he or she has not taken.

Course Planner

Not all the weeks represented are full weeks. School holidays and weather related closing impact the number of schooldays.

Week 1

• Class contract and book distribution

• Diagnostic test (Pre-Assessment)

• Introduction to AP environmental science exam

• Chapter Reading and Cornel Note Taking Strategy

• How to use study guides

• Preparing for daily quizzes

Week 2

• Definition of environmental science

• Scientific method and critical thinking

• Experimental design and analysis

Test # 1: Scientific Inquiry & Applications

Week 3

• Introduction to environmental issues

• Causes and sustainability, and environmental history

• Review of basic chemistry

• Elements for life

Quiz #1

Week 4

• Matter and energy relationships (laws of thermodynamics)

• Energy for life

• Biochemical cycles and life processes

• Notes: The flow of energy

• Video: Energy

• Project: Biochemical Cycles

Test # 2: Chemistry of Life

Week 5

• Species diversity

• Species interaction

• Food chain – food web activity

• Growth of species population

• Quiz #2: RELATED ESSAY QUESTION

• Succession and sustainability

• Ecosystems notes

• Lab: Eating at a Lower Tropic level

• Video: Range of Tolerance

• Animations: Change in population; Photosynthesis

Week 6

• Terrestrial biomes

• Aquatic biomes

• Biodiversity (benefits, threats and preservation)

• Endangered species management and biodiversity protection

• Evolution of life

• Project: Biomes

• NOAA Lesson and Discussion- Chemosynthesis and vent life; Deep-sea Benthos

• Test # 3 (end of 1st six week cycle)

Week 7

• Population dynamics

• Carrying capacity

• World parks and preserves

• Wilderness areas and wildlife refuges

• Lab: Carrying Capacity

• Video: Biosphere

• Test #4: ECOLOGY

Week 8

• Atmospheric structure

• Solar radiation

• Wind and weather

• Precipitation

• Climate change

• Video- Microclimates

• NOAA Lesson- Hurricanes

• Virtual lab- Measuring Climate

• Quiz # 3

Week 9

• Geology (earth’s formation and structure, geologic time scale

• Video: The solid Earth

• The lithosphere and plate tectonics

• Animations: Convergent, Divergent and Transform plates

• Geologic disturbances (earthquakes and volcanoes

• Video: Volcanoes

• Rocks and the rock cycle

• Soil formation

• Video: Soil formation

• Project: Plate Tectonics

• NOAA Lesson and discussion – Plate Tectonics and Mid-Ocean Ridges

• Test #5- essay questions on plate tectonics

Week 10

• Human population: history and global distribution

• Growth, demography, carrying capacity

• Patterns of resource use

• Factors determining population growth

• Article: How Iran shifted its perspective and slowed its growth. Students’ presentations.

• Animation- Population age structure; Cultural Carrying Capacity; Population crash

• Chapter4 Related summary notes

• Quiz # 4

Week 11

• Effects of technology and standard of living on carrying capacity

• Cultural and economic influences

• Demographic transition can lead to stable population size

• Sustainable cities (urban land use and management, zoning and city planning)

• Animation- Demographic Transition; Economic factors; Cultural factors

• Video- Population Dynamics

• Summary notes: Chapter4

• Test #6 : POPULATION

Week 12

• Midterm exams

• ARTICLE: Ecosystem Structure and the Role of Species within BIOMES

• Activity: Measuring Primary Productivity in an aquatic ecosystem

• Project: natural areas

Week 13

• Economic geology and mineralogy

• Mineral deposits and utilization

• Environmental effects of resource extraction

• Geological hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, mass wasting and erosion)

• Mineral sufficiency and the future

• Magazine Article Review: Is your phone a cause of war?

• Lab: Cookie Mining

• Animation- Area Strip Mining; Ore Processing

• Summary Notes

• Video – Mining for Borax

• Chapter11

• Quiz #5 RELATED MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Week 14

• Water as a natural resource (water cycle)

• Water availability and use

• Fresh water shortages

• Water management and conservation

• Chapter10

• Notes – Water: Hydrologic Cycle and Human Use

• Animation- Water resources; Aquifer depletion

• Video- Water distillation; Desalination

• NOAA Lesson and discussion- Water Cycle

• Lab: Water loss drop by drop

• Test: 7

Week 15

• Soil as a renewable resource

• Soil profile and characteristics

• Soil texture activity

• Soil fertility and pH

• Soil degradation and conservation

• Chapter7

• Quiz # 6

• Laboratory Activity: Physical Characteristics of soil

• Animation- Soil Profile; Erosion; Erosion Control

• Video- Soil Texture

• FIELD TRIP

Week 16

• Non-renewable energy

• Video – Renewable and Non-Renewable energy

• Energy sources and uses

• Fossil fuels

• Nuclear power

• Animation- Nuclear Fission; Nuclear power; Oil Recovery

• Energy conservation

• Chapter12

• Summary Notes

• Test #8: Essay questions on energy

Week 17

• Renewable energy source

• Solar energy

• Fuel cells

• Energy from biomass

• Energy from earth’s forces

• Lab: Personal Energy Use Audit

• Animation- Fuel cell vehicle; Solar Heating System; Photovoltaic cells; Hydroelectric Power

• NOAA Lesson- Energy from the oceans

• Chapter12

• Quiz # 7

Week 18

• Land resources: principles of land use

• Management of specific land uses

• Lab: Soil Salinization

• Animation – Tree Harvesting

• Video – Wilderness and recreational parklands

• Summary notes

• Chapter14

• Test #9

Week 19

• Pollution

• Air pollutants, effects, control and legislation

• Water pollutants, control and législation

• Soil polluants

• Magazine Article : Planet Earth Takes Center stage. Students’ Presentations

• Animations – Photochemical smog ; Lake Eutrophication

• Video – Ocean environmental awareness

• NOAA Lesson – Ocean pollution

• Chapters 9 & 10

• Quiz # 8

Week 20

• Environmental health (global disease burden)

• Toxicology

• Measuring toxicity

• Risk assessment and acceptance

• Chapter8

• Test #10

Week 21

• Solid and hazardous waste (sources and types)

• Waste disposal methods

• Waste management: Shrinking the waste stream

• Hazardous and toxic waste

• Federal legislation and bioremediation

• Lab: Auto and Truck tires and the environment

• Animation – A modern Landfill; Incineration

• Video – Wastewater treatment

• Chapter13

• Quiz # 9

Week 22

• Human health

• Agents

• Effects

• Relative risks and management

• Summary notes

• Video – air pollution

• Animations – dioxin; malaria

Discussion question: The environment has always posed risks to human health. How has the nature of these risks changed over time? Why do we degrade environmental quality when it threatens our health?

Different groups of students will participate in a tutorial session to present the response to this discussion questions.

Chapter 8

Week 23

• Economics and urbanization

• Urban planning

• Urban ecology

• Chapter14

• Case Study: Cultural choices and the rate of population growth

• Quiz # 10

Week 24

• Economics and sustainable development

• Natural resource accounting

• Trade, development and jobs

• Green business and green design

• Animations- external costs; cost-benefit analysis

• Video- UCLA Co-generation facility

• Chapter14

• Test # 11

Week 25

• Environmental ethic

• Sustainable ethic: Scarcity and innovations

• Land ethic: Communal property resources

• Policies that encourages waste

• Chapter14 & 10

• Animation – unsustainable frontier ethic; land ethic

• Video – sustainable environment

• Summary notes

• Discussion question – what is the tragedy of the commons? Is such tragedy inevitable, or can the environment be protected from this kind of behavior?

Different groups of students will participate in a tutorial session to present the response to this discussion questions.

• Test #12: Multiple choice questions

Week 26

• culture and aesthetic: history of conservation and environmentalism

• human dimensions of environmental science

• indigenous people

• animations- arsenic; project chariot

• video – indigenous people: the chumash in California

• summary notes

• Discussion question - discuss the concept of environmental justice. Discuss how it applies within highly developed countries and also between developed and developing nations.

Different groups of students will participate in a tutorial session to present the response to this discussion questions.

• Chapter1

• Quiz # 11

Week 27

• environmental policy and laws

• environment, science, and policy in communities

• international treaties and conventions

• individual actions

• Video – environmental laws and regulations

• Animations- superfund; CITES

• Discussion question – describe the goals of some of the most important environmental laws in the United States. Why aren’t these laws always effective in regulating pollution and protecting the environment?

Different groups of students will participate in a tutorial session to present the response to this discussion questions.

• Chapter 15

• Quiz #12- related essay question

Week 28

• issues and options

• limits of green consumerism

• reducing human impact

• sustainability as a global challenge

• Animation –petition congress

• Videos – global warming and environmental law

• summary notes

• Test #13: essay questions

• FIELD TRIP

Week 29

• environmental world views

• ethics and sustainability, review

• world food resources: crops, meat and fish

• food and nutrition

• key food sources

• mapping your food supply

• chapter 7

• Lab: Carrying Capacity

• Animations- Interplanting; Fish Harvesting

• Video- Overfishing

• NOAA Lessons – Food water and medicine from the sea;

• Simulation Lab – Natural selection

• Test # 14: multiple choice questions

Week 30

• new crops and genetic engineering

• sustainable agriculture

• other agricultural resources

• Summary notes

• chapter 7

• Lab: Sustainable Island

• Review and mid-term exam

Week 31

College Board Advanced Placement Environmental Science Exam

Week32

• Being a responsible Ecotourist

• Restoration Ecology

• Environmental involvement

• Animation- mine restoration

• Video- the fight to preserve the bollana wetlands

• Summary notes

• chapter 6

• Quiz # 13

Week 33

• First – Order Effects

• Introduction

• Atmosphere

• Oceans

• Biota

• Animations- ozone destruction; metane clathrates

• Video- climate systems

• Simulation lab- habitat loss

• Summary notes

Week 34

• Higher – order Effects

• Introduction

• Atmosphere

• Oceans

• Biota

• Chapter Readings and summary notes

• Video- global warming; greenhouse effects

• Animation- greenhouse effects; El Nino

• NOAA Lesson and discussion - currents

Week 35

Project based activities on the following:

• Environmental laws and Regulations

• Federal Laws

• State laws

• International Treaties and Conventions

Week 36

• Final exam

Internet Resources

Websites frequently used and recommended:

http://www.eoearth.org

www.epa.gov

www.openaccess.org

www.kwanga.net

Videos and DVD’S

“An Inconvenient Truth” Paramount Classics, 2006