AP Environmental Science s8

IB Environmental Systems and Societies Mr. Platt [email protected]

Course Overview The goal of this class as described in the Environmental Systems and Societies Diploma Programme manual is “to provide students with a coherent perspective on the environment; one that is essentially scientific and that enables them to adopt an informed and responsible stance on the wide range of pressing issues that they will inevitably come to face.” Through and empirically based approach, emphasizing the importance of quantitative data, students will gain knowledge in analyzing and describing environmental data. In addition students will investigate the morality, politics and ethics of a variety of environmental issues. At all times students should treat this as a college level course and attend to it with the required effort and commitment necessary for their own success.

Course Prerequisites For successful completion of this course it is strongly recommended students have successfully completed Pre IB Biology and Chemistry and have a strong foundation in mathematics including the manipulation of data and the use of statistical tests.

Textbooks Cunningham Environmental Science

Course Schedule Refer to specific learning goals in the syllabus outline you have received separately. This should simply serve to guide your reading and pace yourself through the class. Tests will happen approximately every two weeks on the assigned test day. Dates and pages are approximate and subject to change. All chapters are from Raven & Berg’s Environmental Science text. All materials are available on Plattscience.wikispaces.com

Date Topic Lab Reading August Lab / Portfolio September Stats / Data Analysis Stats Problem Sets What is Stats September Intro to Env. Systems IA 1: The effect of some factor Chapter September Systems and Models Stella? September Env. Hist & Values Tragedy of the Commons Chapter Sept/Oct Population Dynamics Taxonomy & Dichotomous Keys Chapter October Succession Capture Mark Recapture Chapter October Community Ecology Quadrat Analysis Chapter October Food chains and webs IA #2: Effect on sampling method Chapter October Cycling of Matter NW vs SE Owl pellets analysis Chapter November Productivity Effect of Temperature on DO Chapter November Terrestrial Biomes Photopigment analysis Chapter November Human Pop. Dynamics IA # 3: Productivity Chapter Thanksgiving break December Resources & Nat. Cap. Power of the Pyramids Chapter December Energy Resources Dendrochronology and Forestry Lab Chapter December Soil Resources Field and Lab soil analyses Chapter X-mas Break January Food Resources Prepare for Group 4 Chapter January Water Resources Coliform testing in water Chapter January Limits on Pops Chemical testing/ H2O treatment Chapter January Biodiversity in Ecosys Insect Biodiversity Chapter February Evaluating Biodiversity IA #4: factor effecting insect biodiversity Chapter February Conserv. of Biodiversity Abiotic Factors in the Scrub Lab (IA?) Chapter February Pollution General Macroinvertebrate lab Chapter February Eutrophication Fertilizer effects on aquatic organisms Chapter March Solid Waste Toxicity testing and LD50 Chapter

1 March Stratospheric ozone Sunscreens effect on UV lab Chapter March Urban Air Pollution Lichens on trees lab Chapter Spring Break March/April Acid Deposition Effects on seed germination Chapter April Global Warming Greenhouse effect Lab Chapter April Review Extra Labs April Review Extra Labs April Review Extra Labs May Review Extra Labs May May May June

IB Environmental Systems Exam TBA

Reading is required of all students and eligible for inclusion on exams. All exams will be taken in class without notes. Exam format may include multiple choice, fill-ins, short answer and extended answer essay questions. Our exam day is Tuesday and we will test every other week. Students may complete syllabus statements on notecards for bonus points on tests. If a student earns a D or an F on any exam they must turn in notecards for the following test and they are required to attend the morning or lunch review sessions for the next test. If this is not done, no extra credit will be accepted from the student. Students are expected to take daily notes and be prepared at all times for tests on current and past material. Class notebooks may be collected for a grade at random.

Weekly Schedule (subject to change) Monday may be tests if we have them or the due date for major assignments, otherwise Monday and Tuesday will consist largely of lecture format classes focusing on in depth coverage of material. Students are expected to take notes daily in class and on selected reading assignments. Wednesday will be devoted to discussion of current topics, or activities. Journals and notecards are due daily. Thursday and Friday will be devoted to setup and completion of labs and field work. More lecture time may be necessary during some weeks. There are no reviews in class, they will be held Mondays before school first semester and at lunch second semester in O-40, it is recommended that all students attend.

State Standards After successfully completing this class students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate understanding of the interrelationships of the natural world. 2. Identify and analyze environmental problems, both natural and human- generated. 3. Evaluate the relative risks associated with natural and human-generated environmental problems. 4. Analyze alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing environmental problems. 5. Use the scientific method to solve problems, employ metric measurements, and demonstrate safe and effective use of laboratory instruments. 6. Identify the effects of technology on air, water, and land quality and identify possible solutions for negative impacts. 7. Develop an understanding of how human population growth and human development affect local human, vegetative, and wildlife communities, and impact other natural resources. 8. Describe methods which individuals and industry can employ to conserve natural resources and energy. 9. Compare the effects of different methods of conservation in various parts of the world.

2 10. Identify examples of environmental planning and waste management that have been used in the local community and explain their impact. 11. Analyze the present and future effects of various preservation or conservation strategies on the local community.

Rules and Consequences Class Rules 1. Treat everyone in the class with respect. 2. Come to class every day, on time and prepared to learn. 3. Leave your bad day at the door. 4. Always clean up after yourself. 5. Always give your best effort and let your actions be a reflection of yourself. Consequences 1. Warning after class teacher will record incident. 2. Second student conference, parent contact. 3. Further problems = Referral. 4. Repeated offences or problems will be dealt with accordingly including removal from this class.

Grading This is an approximate outline of grading for each quarter. Numbers may give students an idea of roughly what to expect, but relative frequencies are subject to change. Grades are based on a point total system (see sample below). Student grades are calculated as their points divided by the total possible points. Students are responsible for keeping tack of their grades. Daily attendance does contribute to effort and participation grades, timely active attendance is required. Please monitor Gradebook for grades. There are no retakes on assignments though test corrections are required for D & F grades and suggested for others

Task Points Number % Labs & tests and projects various varies 60 Homework and formative measures various varies 40

A = 90 – 100% B = 80 - 89% C = 70 – 79% D = 60 – 69% F = less than

* If applicable and generally covering topics from novels or current events

Exams All tests in the class are cumulative as this will help fully prepare students for the IB exam in the spring. Students will prepare for and complete the IB Environmental Systems exam. This will serve in place of a final exam for those students who take it. All others will have a comprehensive final exam in class covering all of the year’s materials. There will be a comprehensive midterm exam before winter break

Lab Lab work is a required portion of the class and will include experiments from lab manuals, fieldwork, data analysis, and student designed experiments. Students will work in lab groups but are each responsible for completing individual lab reports each week. A 3 ring binder will be kept in class for lab reports, some of which may be required in typed format. Labs will generally be due one week after completion of the activity on the weekly test day. All labs will be completed according to the specified format and be graded according to the rubric distributed by the instructor. Any missed labs must be made up and

Novels In an attempt to increase the amount of higher level thinking and environmental philosophy in this course, students will be reading one novel and pieces of others during the course of the year. They will be responsible for weekly journal reflections, quizzes, discussion and projects based on the novels. Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn Breakfast of Biodiversity, by John Vandermeer and Ivette Perfecto

3 Song for the Blue Ocean, by Carl Safina A Sand County Almanac, by Aldo Leopold

Disability Access Statement Spruce Creek High School is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. This syllabus and all other course materials are available in alternate formats upon request. Students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course must contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to discuss the necessary accommodations.

Recommendation It is strongly suggested, though not required, that students purchase study guides for the IB Environmental Systems exam and use them throughout the class. Students may also choose to purchase Peterson field guides for insects, trees and shrubs, and freshwater fish for use in familiarizing themselves with the local environment.

Projects Science fair (optional), Group 4 Project (juniors only), Biome Project, Ishmael Final Project

Materials 1 inch, 3 ring binder for lab portfolio – marked and left in class Single subject spiral bound notebook – environmental journal scientific calculator or graphing calculator black pen home computer or access to a public computer – excel access, notes on creekconnect Jump drive Note cards – multiple color packs Note card holder/box

Due to budget constraints we are often short on supplies in the science department. The following is a list of items we commonly use in class that are in short supply. If you are able to donate any of these items to the class it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help and generosity. Paper Towels Pencils Distilled Water Dry erase markers Gloves Notecards

We will do a coupon book sale in early November to provide the funds for our high level lab program. All families are encouraged to participate