Advanced Placement Environmental Science
COURSE SYLLABUS
2017-2018
NAME OF COURSE: AP Environmental Science
REFERENCES: AP Environmental Science textbook, Environmental Science for AP by Friedland/Relyea, 2nd edition, BFW Publisher, supplemental environmental science books, science articles, case studies, references books, lab manuals, and the internet.
PURPOSE, OBJECTIVES & EXPECTATIONS:
The AP Environmental Science course is a A/B semester course taught on a block schedule for 36 weeks. This allotted time will be designated to instruction, field work, and AP Prep Testing. This course is equivalent to a one semester college course in Environmental Science. This course will allow students to find multitude of pathways to explore nature and understand the fundamental concepts and processes of Environmental Science.
Students will be introduced to main research themes such as: Environmental chemistry, phosphate and heavy metal biogeochemistry, poultry and animal waste re-utilization, water quality and environmental assessment, soil morphology and genesis, wetlands bio environmental interaction, pollutant transport and transformation, soil microbiology and bioremediation, and soil chemistry and fertility.
Students that have chosen this course will complete all class assignments and labs, and participate in the EnvironMentor program at Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL. The goals of the program are to increase opportunities for minority students to be involved in science and the environment; to help in the development of future leaders in agricultural and environmental sciences through research and educational experience; and to help in student recruitment efforts of the Department of NRES, especially the AAMU Environmental Science program.
The program is comprised of the following: bringing in high school students to AAMU for mentoring; organizing faculty, staff, and graduate students in NRES to serve as mentors; and matching the high school students with NRES mentors for one-on-one mentoring. The students and mentors will design and carry out environmental science related research projects. The findings of their research projects will be presented to the department. The best projects will be selected to attend EnvironMentors Fair and Awards Ceremony in Washington DC. At the Fair, the students will present their projects and compete for awards in Washington DC.
After completion of the AP Environmental Science course students will have successfully engaged in the seven major topics; Earth Systems and Resources, The Living World, Population, Land and Water Use, Energy Resources and Consumption, Pollution, and Global Change. Students will exhibit laboratory skills and proficiency in reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.
Materials (Portfolio Check):
Each student is required to have a 2 to 3 inch, 3 ring binder with dividers. The notebooks should have all work and assignments for the units we are covering. Portfolio will be due every 4 ½ week. It is important for students to keep their notebooks in proper order with all of the proper headings. Portfolios will not be accepted late. This syllabus should be the first page of the portfolio, followed by the unit dividers. Papers stapled together will not be accepted as a portfolio. Students are expected to keep portfolios neat and legible. Students are expected to come to class on time and bring a pencil, pen, paper, binder and their book to class everyday.
Homework
Students will read content information and answer discussion questions.
Students will outline every chapter that is assigned.
Students will present current events once a week on Environmental Issues.
Students will read case studies.
Students will practice writing essays.
Students will perform lab write ups.
Students will research given material and present.
Students will study Power Point notes.
Students will practice AP Test Prep Series.
Students will participate in the EnvironMentor program.
Grading Strategy:
Grading will be based on total percentages earned for all unit assignments: including test, labs, homework, daily assignments, portfolio, projects, and class participation.
· Tests, quizzes, any assessment - 60%
· Classwork/Homework -40%
All assignments should be turned in on time. Any late assignments will have an automatic deduction of 10% off the assignment. Late assignments will not be accepted after two days, unless the student was absent (excused) or received prior permission.
All written assignments that need revision are due two days after the teacher returns the paper to the student.
JHS School Wide Expectations
1. Our students are READY.
· In class before the bell rings
· Learning begins when the students ENTER the classroom.
· Students will begin the DO NOW immediately.
· We will observe the 10-10 Rule.
· SLANT
Ø S – Sit up.
Ø L – Listen.
Ø A – Ask questions.
Ø N – Note key information.
Ø T – Track the speaker.
2. Our students are RESPONSIBLE.
· Have tools for school: LAPTOP, CHARGER, PAPER, and PENCIL.
· THE LAPTOP MUST BE CHARGED.
· Have homework and assignments in class.
· Study before class.
· Students will receive 4 “Take Care of Business” passes per class per semester. When all of the passes have been used, in order to leave the room, security will escort the student to his/her destination. No passes are redeemable during the first nor last ten minutes of the class.
3. Our students are RESPECTFUL.
· No cell phone use in the classroom.
· Respect for property, for self, and for others.
· Proper digital citizenship is exercised.
· THINK before you speak.
Ø T – Is it true?
Ø H – Is it helpful?
Ø I – Is it inspiring?
Ø N – Is it necessary?
Ø K – Is it kind?
4. Our students are RESILIENT.
· SUCCESS IS NOT FINAL; FAILURE IS NOT FATAL.
Ø G – GROWTH
Ø R – RELYING ON
Ø I – INTENTIONAL
Ø T - TENACITY
Attendance:
Refer to the school code of conduct.
Test Taking Procedures:
Test will be given after each chapter and will be composed of multiple-choice and essay questions. Students are responsible for following test taking procedures:
(1) Absolutely no talking
(2) No looking on the paper of others
(3) No book/folders on desks
(4) Questions are addressed only to the teacher and signified by raising your hand.
Failure to comply with these procedures may result in the student(s) losing the opportunity to complete the test, being written up for defiance, and being sent to the Assistant Principal for failure to comply with the teacher’s behavior request during test time. The student(s) will then be tested over the material at the teacher’s convenience with a different test instrument.
Extra Help:
If a students need extra help or test make-up, please make an appointment with your teacher. If you are not able to come at the scheduled time please notify me before the appointment.
Special Note To Each Student:
It is important that each student treat others in the same way that he/she would like to be treated, showing mutual respect. The classroom is filled with individuals who bring different opinions and life experiences to share with the group. Each student should learn to work cooperatively as a member of a classroom team scientist, as we explore questions in the world of Environmental Science.
AP Environmental Science Pacing Guide
Unit / TOPIC/CONTENT / Week / ACTIVITIES/LABS /1 / Human and Sustainability: An Overview
· Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability
· Environmental History: Learning from the Past 20 / 2 Weeks / Activity: The Lorax (Video) & Truax by Teri Birkett
Activity: Vanishing Frog Project
Activity: Name Droppers
(Individual Contributions to Environmental Science)
Activity: Environmental Laws
Activity: Ecological Footprint
Lab: Parts per Million by Successive
2 / Science and Ecological Principles
· Science, Systems, Matter and Energy
· Ecosystems: What Are They and How Do They Work
· Evolution and Biodiversity
· Climate and Terrestrial
· Biodiversity
· Aquatic Biodiversity
· Community Ecology
· Population Ecology
· Applying Population Ecology / 4 Weeks / Lab: Irradiated Seeds
Activity: Acids and Bases
Activity: Predator/Prey
(Molnar)
Activity: Lower Tropic Level (Molnar)
Activity: Biome Project
Lab: Interspecific and Intraspecific Competition
(Enger & Smith)
Lab: Brine Shrimp Abiotic Factors
(Enger & Smith)
Lab: Something Fishy
Video: Sonora Desert
(National Geographic)
Faculty Visit –Alabama A&M U University(Environ Mentors)
3 / Sustaining Biodiversity/Population Dynamics
· Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity
· Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach
· Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity / 2 Weeks / Lab: Tragedy of the Commons (AP Central)
Video: Sockeyed
Salmon (National Geographic)
Video: Beaches are Moving
(Environmental Media Corporation)
Alabama A&M University laboratory field trip (Environ Mentors)
4 /
Sustaining Natural Resources
· Food and Soil Resources
· Water Resources
· Water Pollution
· Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources
· Nonrenewable Energy Resource
· Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy / 4 Weeks / Lab: Chemical Testing Water Quality
Lab: How to Calculate Water Quality
Lab: Soil Chemical and Physical Test
Lab: Painting w/Soil
Video: Southern Appalachians
Students meet with AA&MU mentors on Mondays and Wednesdays of each week
Project Topic Due to mentors at the end of March
5 / Sustaining Environmental Quality
· Risks, Toxicology, and Human Healt
· Air Pollution
· Climate Change and Ozone Loss
· Pest Management
· Solid and Hazardous Waste
· Sustainable Cities / 3 Weeks / Actvity: Disease Reports
Lab:Virus Town
Lab: Toxic Tea,
Lab: Measuring Albedo
Local Environmental
Risk/Guest Speaker
Video: Chernobyl
Presentation Workshop (Environ Mentors)
6 / Unit 6
Sustaining Human Societies
· Economics, Environment, and Sustainability
· Politics, Environment, and Sustainability
· Environmental Worldviews, Ethics, and Sustainability
AP Exam / 3 Weeks / Poster Due (Environ Mentors)
Annual Environ Mentors Fair
Review for AP Exam
Additional Sources:
Enger, Eldon, and Smith, Bradley. Field & Laboratory Exercises. 7th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2000.
Molnar, William. Laboratory Investigations for AP Environmental Science. Saddle Brook, NJ: Peoples Publishing Group, 2005.