AP Environmental Science
2012-2013 Curriculum Map
Unit 1: History and Chemistry ReviewAugust 7-21
Chapters:1.Environmental Problems, Causes and Sustainability
2.Chemistry
Labs:Introduction to Experimental Design
The Tragedy of the Commons: Fishing Simulation: Degradation of free common renewable resources
Who Took Jerril’s iPhone? Identifying carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins
Technology:Environmental Legislation Project
Yours, Mine, and Ours-Who do the resources belong to?
Reading: The Truax by Terri Berkett
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race by Jared Diamond
Writing:FRQ’s, Lab Reports, Book Review, Video Critique, Reaction Essay, Nutrient Cycle Stories/Comics
Video: “The Lorax”, “The 11th Hour”
A&H:Nutrient Cycle Stories/Comics
PL:Environmental Legislation Project: Impact on our daily lives
Literacy:11.RIT.1,2,3,6,711.W.1,5,6,8,9,1011.SL.1,2,4,
Unit 2: EcologyAugust 24-October 2
Chapters:3.Ecosystems
4. Biodiversityand Evolution
5.Biodiversity, Species Interaction and Population Control
7.Climate and Biodiversity
8.Aquatic Biodiversity
Labs:The Guppy Game: Investigating Natural and Sexual Selection
Calculating Biodiversity
Food Webs and Energy Transfer
Technology:Continental Drift Webquest
Graphing Population Changes
Reading:Biodiversity-Extinctions expected to increase strongly over the Century
The Kaibab Deer Incident: Myths, Lies, and Scientific Fraud, Charles Kay
Writing:FRQ’s, Lab Reports
Video:Trials of Life-Living Together
Literacy:11.RIT.1,2,3,611.W.2,411.SL.1,2
Unit 3: Human Population DiversityOctober 5-November 7
Chapters:6.Human Population and Its Impact
22.Cities and Sustainability
Labs:Human Population Growth
Age Distribution Graphs
Technology: Interpreting World Population Clock
Operation Infection Detection, CDC
Reading:Population numbers, projections, Graphs and Data, SUSPS-Sierra Club
World Population to 2300-UN Report
Beyond 7 Billion Series-Kenneth R. Weiss
Population growth and earth’s human carrying capacity-Cohen
Writing:FRQ’s, Lab Reports, Informational Text Essay-Human Population Growth
Video:World Population Growth over Time
Literacy: 11.RIT.1,3,611.W.2,6,811.SL.1,
Unit 4: Sustaining Biodiversity November 12-December 12
Chapters:9.Sustaining Biodiversity
10.Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity
11.Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity
Labs:Know Your Neighborhood-watersheds and potential for pollution
Critically Thinking about Coyotes: A Dilemma in Wildlife Management
Technology:Save the ______! Plan and presentation
Reading: Human Population in the Biodiversity Hotspots-Cincotta et al
Homage to Santa Rosalia, or why are there so many kinds of animals?-Hutchinson
Skepticism towards Santa Rosalia, or why are there so few kinds of animals?-Felsenstein
Writing:FRQ’s, Lab Reports, Comparative Essay between two texts
Video:“The Vanishing of Bees”, “The Cove”, “The End of the Line”
PL:Career Focus: Wildlife Management
A&H: Wanted Posters for Exotic and Non-Native Plants
Speaker:Park Ranger/Wildlife Management Authority
Literacy: 11.RIT.1,2,3,5,611.W.2,411.SL.1,2
Unit 5: Water and Soil ResourcesJanuary 2-February 4
Chapters:12.Food, Soil, and Pest Management
13. Water Resources
20.Water Pollution
Labs:Water Filtration Systems
How Salinity Affects Germination
Water and Soil Quality Testing
Reading:Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollen
The Water footprint of biofuels: a drink or drive issue?-Dominguez-Faus
Writing:FRQ’s, Lab Reports
Video:“Food Inc.”, “FLOW: For the Love of Water”, “Blue Gold: World Water Wars”, Chipotle Sustainable Farming Commercial
Literacy: 11.RIT.1,311.W.2,411.SL.1,2
Unit 6: EnergyFebruary 7-March 8
Chapters:14. Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources
15.Nonrenewable Energy
16.Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Labs:Electricity Use and Efficiency
Alternative Energy Sources (Model home, solar oven, wind turbine, etc;)
Technology:Energy Audit and Home Strategies
Sustainable Land Use: Google Earth Project
Reading:What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
Writing:FRQ’s, Lab Reports, Interview a Coal Miner, “Day in the Life Of…”
Video:“Gasland”, “Harlan County, USA”
A&H:What would it be like without… (renewable and non-renewable resources) Mapping and model town project
Literacy: 11.RIT.1,2,611.W.1,2,411.SL.1,2,4,5
Unit 7: PollutionMarch 13- April 10
Chapters:17.Environmental Hazards and Human Health
18.Air Pollution
19.Climate Disruption and Ozone Depletion
21.Solid and Hazardous Waste
Labs:Cleaning Up Oil Spills
How Hot Is It Here on Earth?
Technology:Where Rivers Meet the Sea: Estuary Cleanup Game by NOAA
Reading:Prince William’s Oily Mess
Biosorption: a solution to pollution?-Vieira
Video:“Story of Stuff”, “Tapped”, “Plastic Planet”
Field Trip: Waste Treatment Plant
Speaker:Recycling Plant Representative
PL:Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Project: Decided upon by student
Literacy: 11.RIT.1,2,6,711.W.1,2,411.SL.1,2,4,5
Unit 8: Human Society April 15-May 3
Chapters:22.Cities and Sustainability
23.Economics, Environment, and Sustainability
24.Politics, Environment, and Sustainability
25.Environment World View, Ethics, and Sustainability
Reading:The Tropic of Chaos-Climate Change and the of New Geography of Violence by Christian Parenti
Writing:FRQ’s, Oil Drilling in the Wilderness (Alaskan Arctic National Wildlife Refuge)
Video:“The 11th Hour”
Speakers:Representatives from Federal, State, and Local Government
Literacy: 11.RIT.1,2,3,511.W.1,2,411.SL.1,2,3
AP Environmental Science Exam: May 6, 2013 at 8 a.m.
**Note** Current Event videos and readings that correlate with the current unit will be incorporated into each week’s schedule in addition to videos and readings already listed.