Highlands High School 304622 – AP Environmental Science 2010-2011

Instructor: Colleen Epperson 815-2628 or 781-5900 (ext. 2628) [email protected] Grade: 11/12 Credit: 1

Prerequisites: Prerequisites: Algebra I and/or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II, Biology I or Biology I Advanced, successful completion or concurrent enrollment in Chemistry I or Chemistry I Advanced.

Requirements: Students must participate in field experiences that may take place outside of the school day. Several opportunities will be announced throughout the semester. All students must take the AP Environmental Science Exam given on Monday, May 2nd, 2011 at 8 am. HHS is fortunate to be a part of a National Grant called “Advanced Kentucky”. As an incentive for students taking APES, the registration fee for the AP exam will be half price and students will receive $100.00 cash for scoring a passing grade (3 or better).

Description: AP Environmental Science is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. The course will provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. The course includes a wide variety of science disciplines including geology, biology, environmental studies, chemistry and geography.

Course Standards: Students will…….

 Describe various earth systems and the dynamics of the resources that are utilized.

 Develop and design models of the Living World that can explain ecosystem structures, energy flow, diversity, change and biogeochemical cycles.

 Explain population biology concepts and develop strategies for sustainability by examining case studies and national policies.

 Determine the impact of various land and water uses such as agriculture, transportation, deforestation, fishing, and mining on global economies.

 Calculate energy consumption and predict future needs based on current uses and trends.

 Compare the advantages and disadvantages of various alternative energy sources.

 Describe various pollution types, sources, effects and control measures.

 Explain the impacts of pollution on the Environment, Human Health, and the Economy.  Analyze atmospheric and ecological data relating to stratospheric ozone, Global Warming and Biodiversity.

 Complete laboratory and field experiences such as collecting and analyzing water samples from a nearby stream, and/or building and maintaining a school composting area. Field experiences will be based on number of students and available resources

Course Materials: Bring materials to class everyday! 1. 3- ring Binder with tabs to organize notes and worksheets by topic 2. paper, pens, pencils, colored pencils, highlighters 3. textbook 4. field notebook

Text: Environment: The Science Behind the Stories, Withgott and Brennan, Pearson/Benjamin Cummings Publisher 2007. Students will read and complete outlines for all chapters. Grade Calculation: Grades will be determined based on the total number of points earned from the following categories: 1. Chapter Reading Quizzes (75pts each): There will be 23 chapter reading quizzes scheduled weekly. Each Quiz will consist of 20 AP style multiple choice questions and 5 short answers. The quizzes will assess your understanding of the material presented in each chapter of the text. Students who turn in Chapter Outlines/Notes on the day of the quiz will be allowed to correct their quizzes to earn points back on their quiz. 2. Environmental Topics Tests (60pts each): There will be 1 test per quarter that will assess student understanding of the major topics discussed in class. These will consist of 2 Free Response Questions to be completed during class and graded using AP scoring standards. Students may use their notes, outlines and textbooks for these tests. All students who are present the day of a quiz/test will take it since these assessments are scheduled well in advance. This policy may be waived for long term absences leading up to assessment. 3. Daily Assignments (10-20pts each): There will be many daily activities that students will complete during the class period for points. 4. Lab Reports (50pts): There will be several labs completed by students individually and in small groups for which lab reports may or may not be collected and graded. 5. Participation (5pts): 5 points will be earned each day for participation in class discussions and activities. Students who are absent will not earn these points until they come before or after school to discuss the class activities that were missed. 6. Field Notebook (100pts): Students will keep a field notebook that will be used for data collection, drawings, graphs, and other observations made during labs and field exercises. This will be collected periodically for a grade. Make-up Work: Students who are absent are expected to talk with their study partner to get information about what they missed and see me about handouts or arranging times to make-up labs, tests, or quizzes.

Field Trips: There will be 3-4 learning experiences scheduled during the school day. It is very important that students are in good standing (C or better) in their other classes, or students may not be permitted to go on the trip. Students with poor behavior or trust issues will not be permitted to go on field trips. A. Permission Slips: Students who do not turn in their signed permission forms the day before the trip is scheduled will not be allowed to attend! B. Participation: Students are expected to be actively participating, collecting observations, taking notes in their field notebooks, and discussing with other students during field experiences. Students who do not attend, or do not participate must do a “make-up” assignment of similar rigor and relevance, or the take a zero for the day.

Guest Speakers: Students are encouraged to invite professionals from the community to speak to our class about their various experiences related to our Course Content. Please see the content listed below and help the class resource list grow this year by seeking out guest presenters.

Envirothon: This is a State Environmental Competition held on a Saturday in early spring of 2011. Each team consists of five students who rotate among five different ecostations where together they answer questions on Aquatics, Forestry, Wildlife, Soils, and a Special Topic (this years topic is Fresh and Salt Water Estuaries). Students in APES who participate in Envirothon will be EXEMPT from the final exam.

Class Atmosphere: Given the breadth of information that needs to be covered in APES, much of class time will spent in individual/partner study groups as well as student-centered class discussions.

Class Behavior and Discipline: Let’s keep it simple: RESPECT! Maintain a positive attitude, show respect, be outgoing and helpful and we will have a lot of fun.

Classroom Computer Usage: Students may use the classroom lap top computers to complete their work. Computers will be assigned to students at the beginning of the year and they must use the computer assigned to them the entire year. Students must follow school acceptable use policy and use them for APES work ONLY. Failure to use computers appropriately will cause privileges to be revoked.

CLASS WEB-SITE: Found by going to the Fort Thomas Teacher web-pages

Foundations of Environmental Science Ch. 1 An Introduction to Environmental Science Ch. 2 Environmental Ethics and Economics: Values and Choices Ch. 3 Environmental Policy: Decision making and Problem Solving Ch. 4 From Chemistry to Energy to Life Ch. 5 Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology Ch. 6 Species Interactions and Community Ecology Ch. 7 Environmental Systems and Ecosystem Ecology

Environmental Issues and the Search for Solutions Ch. 8 Human Population Ch. 9 Soil and Agriculture Ch. 10 Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Future of Food Ch. 11 Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Ch. 12 Resource Management, Forestry, Land Use, and Protected Areas Ch. 13 Urbanization and Creating Livable Cities Ch. 14 Environmental Health and Toxicology Ch. 15 Freshwater Resources: Natural Systems, Human Impact, and Conservation Ch. 16 Marine and Coastal Systems: Resources, Impacts, and Conservation Ch. 17 Atmospheric Science and Air Pollution Ch. 18 Global Climate Change Ch. 19 Fossil Fuels, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation Ch. 20 Conventional Energy Alternatives Ch. 21 New Renewable Energy Alternatives Ch. 22 Waste Management Ch. 23 Sustainable Solutions