Download Course Title: Environmental Science/AP Course Numbers: 255B

DEPARTMENT: SCIENCE
Course Title: Environmental Science/AP
Course Numbers: 255B
PRE-REQUISITES: PRE-REQUISITES (IF ANY): SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BIOLOGY AND
CHEMISTRY
GRADE(S): 11-12
UNIT
Student
Independent
Research
LENGTH
Ongoing- 2
Trimester
Unit 1: Science,
Systems, and 2 weeks
the Cycling of
Matter and
Energy
nd
CONTENT
Skills
Methods of Assessment
• Final Project
Students will:
Extract information from written sources.
Research independently.
Conduct field investigations.
Demonstrate experimental design.
Record field data in an organized and
professional fashion.
Understand uncertainty in measurement
and data collection.
Write a scientific paper
Chapter 1 and 3
Students Will:
Growth: Arithmetic, Geometric, and Logistic; Extract information from written sources.
Summer Work
Doubling Time; Principal and Interest; Effects Research independently.
Conduct Field Investigations.
of Globalization
Benchmark Labs
Record field data in an organized and
Systems Lab (Respiration and
professional fashion.
Systems: Sustainable Yield; Sources and
Photosynthesis)
Sinks; Storing, Depleting, and Steady-State; Demonstrate problem solving abilities.
Leaf Thickness Lab
Make environmentally conscious
feedbacks; synergistic effect; IPAT impact
decisions based on scientific data.
model; Ecological Footprint
Understand uncertainty in measurement Assessments
Objective Notes
and data collection.
Pollution: Ecological Footprint ; Point vs.
Essay Outlines
Demonstrate experimental design.
Nonpoint Sources; Persistent vs.
Calculate the mean and standard deviation Graph Interpretations
Nonpersistent; Anthropogenic
Document-Based Questions
and perform t-tests on sample means.
Use Excel to construct data tables, graphs. Written Assessments
Energy: Energy, Power, and Efficiency;
Excel Models
Quality of Energy; Energy Transformations; Write environmental models in Excel.
st
nd
Calculations Problems
Use
environmental
models
as
decision
1 and 2 Law of Thermodynamics; Heat
Formal Lab Report
making
tools.
transfer (conduction, convection, and
Independent Research
Create
and
interpret
graphs
and
diagrams.
radiation)
Unit Test
Work collaboratively.
Perform calculations without a calculator.
Answer document-based questions.
Framework
Strand(s) &
Standard(s) *
• Student directed
AP Standards
IV.G, V.A-C,
VI.C
DEPARTMENT: SCIENCE
GRADE(S): 11-12
UNIT
LENGTH
Unit 2 A:
Ecosystems: 1 week
Components,
Energy Flow,
and Matter
Cycling
Course Title: Environmental Science/AP
Course Numbers: 255B
PRE-REQUISITES: PRE-REQUISITES (IF ANY): SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BIOLOGY AND
CHEMISTRY
CONTENT
Skills
Students Will:
Ecosystem Structure; Ecology; Organisms, Extract information from written sources.
Populations, Communities, Ecosystems, Conduct Field Investigations
Record field data in an organized and
and the Biosphere; Trophic levels;
Feeding Strategies; Food chains and food professional fashion.
Demonstrate problem solving abilities.
webs
Make environmentally conscious
Ecological Energy: Biomass and energy; NPP, decisions based on scientific data.
Understand uncertainty in measurement
GPP, and Respiration; Reproductive
and data collection.
Strategies; Photosynthesizers and
Demonstrate experimental design.
Chemosynthesizers; Photosynthesis,
Create and interpret graphs and diagrams.
Aerobic Respiration, and Anaerobic
Work collaboratively.
respiration.
Perform calculations without a calculator.
Biogeochemical Cycles: Hydrologic, Carbon, Answer document-based questions.
Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Sulfur
Cycles; Recent biogeochemical cycle
changes.
Methods of Assessment
Framework
Strand(s) &
Standard(s) *
Chapter 4
Benchmark Lab:
NPP, GPP Aquatic Lab
Nutrient and Algal Growth Lab
AP Standards
IB, IIA-E
Assessments
Objective Notes
Essay Outlines
Graph Interpretations
Document-Based Questions
Written Assessments
Excel Models
Calculations Problems
Formal Lab Report
Independent Research
Unit Test
Limiting Factors: Limiting factor principle;
Abiotic vs. Biotic Factors; Physical vs.
Chemical Factors; Law of tolerance;
Terrestrial and aquatic limiting factors.
Atmosphere: Atmospheric layers;
Atmospheric composition; UV
protection; Climate and weather.
Unit 2B:
Evolution and
Ecology
2 weeks
Evolution: Evolution by natural selection;
Students Will:
Chapter 5 and 7
Coevolution; Artificial selection;
Extract information from written sources.
Background extinction vs. mass
Record field data in an organized and
Benchmark Lab:
extinction; Factors affecting Immigration professional fashion.
Benthic Macroinvertebrates
and extinction rates, Equilibrium species Demonstrate problem solving abilities.
AP Standard : IE
DEPARTMENT: SCIENCE
GRADE(S): 11-12
UNIT
Unit 2C:
Endangered
and Invasive
Species.
LENGTH
2 weeks
Course Title: Environmental Science/AP
Course Numbers: 255B
PRE-REQUISITES: PRE-REQUISITES (IF ANY): SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BIOLOGY AND
CHEMISTRY
CONTENT
Skills
Methods of Assessment
Make environmentally conscious
diversity (Theory of Island
decisions based on scientific data.
Biogeography)
Biodiversity: Importance of biodiversity and Understand uncertainty in measurement
know; Measures of biodiversity, Native and data collection.
Create and interpret graphs and diagrams.
species, nonnative species, indicator
species, keystone species; interspecific Work collaboratively.
Perform calculations without a calculator.
and intraspecific; Specialists and
generalists; Ecological niche vs. habitat; Answer document-based questions.
Fundamental and realized niche; resource
partitioning.
Relationships: symbiotic relationships;
predation and defense strategies;
Mutualism, Commensalism, and
Parasitism
Succession: Primary and Secondary
Succession; Successional Stages and
Effect on Biodiversity
Assessments
Objective Notes
Essay Outlines
Graph Interpretations
Document-Based Questions
Written Assessments
Excel Models
Calculations Problems
Formal Lab Report
Independent Research
Unit Test
Students Will:
Extract information from written sources.
Research independently.
Conduct Field Investigations.
Record field data in an organized and
professional fashion.
Demonstrate problem solving abilities.
Invasive Species: Characteristics of Invasive Make environmentally conscious
Species, Introduction of Invasive Species decisions based on scientific data.
Create and interpret graphs and diagrams.
Work collaboratively.
Habitat Fragmentation.
Perform calculations without a calculator.
Answer document-based questions.
Chapter 17 and 18 Objectives
Endangered Species: Causes of Extinction;
Characteristics of Endangered Species;
Endangered Species and Wildlife
Protection; Current Endangered and
Threatened Species
Benchmark Labs:
Invasive Species of the AREF
Research Activity
Endangered Species Research
Project
Assessments
Objective Notes
Essay Outlines
Graph Interpretations
Document-Based Questions
Written Assessments
Excel Models
Calculations Problems
Formal Lab Report
Independent Research
Framework
Strand(s) &
Standard(s) *
AP Standards: IE,
IIID, VA-B,
DEPARTMENT: SCIENCE
GRADE(S): 11-12
UNIT
LENGTH
Course Title: Environmental Science/AP
Course Numbers: 255B
PRE-REQUISITES: PRE-REQUISITES (IF ANY): SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BIOLOGY AND
CHEMISTRY
CONTENT
Skills
Methods of Assessment
Framework
Strand(s) &
Standard(s) *
Unit Test
Unit 2D:
Weather and
Biomes
1 week
Weather and Climate: Global Air Circulation; Students Will:
Extract information from written sources.
El Nino and ENSO; Ocean Currents
Research independently.
Work collaboratively.
Terrestrial Biomes: Distribution of Life,
Global NPP, Terrestrial Biomes, Flora Perform calculations without a calculator.
Answer document-based questions.
and Fauna adaptations
Aquatic Biomes: Oceans; Estuaries; Wetlands;
Lake Stratification and Life Zones
Unit 3A:
Environmental 1 week
Geology and
Soil Science
Geology and Mineral Resources: Major Earth Students Will:
Extract information from written sources.
Layers and Processes, Plate Boundaries,
Research independently.
Surface and Subsurface Mining, Mineral
Conduct Field Investigations.
Resources and Reserves, Environmental
impacts of extracting, processing, and using Record field data in an organized and
mineral resources, relevant laws and treaties. professional fashion.
Demonstrate problem solving abilities.
Implications of the U.S. 1872 Mining Law.
Soil Science and Conservation: Requirements Make environmentally conscious
for Fertile Soil, Fertile Soils of the World, Soil decisions based on scientific data.
Understand uncertainty in measurement
Horizons, Soil Chemistry, Physical Soil
and data collection.
Classifications, Limiting Nutrients, Soil
Demonstrate experimental design.
Degradation and Conservation,
Create and interpret graphs and diagrams.
Agriculture: types of agriculture; Green
Work collaboratively.
Revolution; genetic engineering and crop
Perform calculations without a calculator.
production; deforestation; irrigation;
Chapter 6
Benchmark Labs:
Biomes Research Project
Coriolis Effect Demonstration
AP Standards: IE,
VA-B
Assessments
Objective Notes
Essay Outlines
Graph Interpretations
Document-Based Questions
Written Assessments
Excel Models
Calculations Problems
Formal Lab Report
Independent Research
Unit Test
Chapter 9
AP Standards:
Benchmark Labs:
IC, IIIC, IVA,
Soil Amendment Lab
Physical and Chemical Properties
of Soils
Geology of the Pioneer Valley
Field Trip
Assessments
Objective Notes
Essay Outlines
Graph Interpretations
Document-Based Questions
Written Assessments
Excel Models
DEPARTMENT: SCIENCE
GRADE(S): 11-12
UNIT
LENGTH
Course Title: Environmental Science/AP
Course Numbers: 255B
PRE-REQUISITES: PRE-REQUISITES (IF ANY): SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BIOLOGY AND
CHEMISTRY
CONTENT
Skills
sustainable agriculture, Types of pesticides; Answer document-based questions.
costs and benefits of pesticide use; integrated
pest management; relevant laws.
Unit 3B: Land
1 week
Use
Methods of Assessment
Framework
Strand(s) &
Standard(s) *
Calculations Problems
Formal Lab Report
Independent Research
Unit Test
Chapter 17
Students Will:
Extract information from written sources.
AP Standard :
Research independently.
Benchmark Lab:
IIIF
Conduct Field Investigations.
Foresting the AREF Tree Cookie
Record field data in an organized and
Lab
professional fashion.
Guest Speaker: Forester
Demonstrate problem solving abilities.
Rangelands: Overgrazing; deforestation;
Make environmentally conscious
Assessments
desertification; rangeland management;
decisions based on scientific data.
Objective Notes
federal rangelands
Understand uncertainty in measurement Essay Outlines
and data collection.
Graph Interpretations
Urban land development: Planned
Document-Based Questions
development; suburban sprawl; urbanization Demonstrate experimental design.
Use Excel to construct data tables, graphs. Written Assessments
Excel Models
Transportation infrastructure: federal highway Interpret graphs and diagrams.
Calculations Problems
system; canals and channels; roadless areas; Work collaboratively.
Perform calculations without a calculator. Formal Lab Report
ecosystem impacts
Answer document-based questions.
Independent Research
Unit Test
Public and federal lands: Management;
wilderness areas; national parks; wildlife
refuges; forests; wetlands
Forestry: Forest Classifications, Forest
Management and Harvesting Techniques,
Lumber Certification, Tree Pathogens, Forest
Fires, Air Pollutants, US Forest Management.
Land conservation options: Preservation;
remediation; mitigation; restoration
Sustainable land-use strategies
Unit 3B Water
Resources and 2 week
Water Quality
Water Supply: Hydrologic cycle, agricultural,
industrial, and domestic water use, freshwater
supply and conservation, environmental
impacts of dams and groundwater withdraw,
Students Will:
Extract information from written sources.
Research independently.
Conduct Field Investigations.
Record field data in an organized and
professional fashion.
Chapter 14
AP Standards:
Benchmark Labs:
IIIA, IVA
Biological Oxygen Demand Lab
Modeling Dissolve Oxygen
Water Treatment Lab
DEPARTMENT: SCIENCE
GRADE(S): 11-12
UNIT
LENGTH
Course Title: Environmental Science/AP
Course Numbers: 255B
PRE-REQUISITES: PRE-REQUISITES (IF ANY): SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BIOLOGY AND
CHEMISTRY
CONTENT
Skills
Water Pollution: Water pollution types;
Demonstrate problem solving abilities.
sources, causes, and effects; cultural
Make environmentally conscious
eutrophication; groundwater pollution;
decisions based on scientific data.
maintaining water quality; water purification;
Methods of Assessment
Framework
Strand(s) &
Standard(s) *
Field Trip to Treatment Plant
Assessments
Objective Notes
sewage treatment/septic systems; Clean Water Understand uncertainty in measurement Essay Outlines
Act and other relevant laws
and data collection.
Graph Interpretations
Demonstrate experimental design.
Document-Based Questions
Calculate the mean and standard deviation Written Assessments
and perform t-tests on sample means.
Excel Models
Use Excel to construct data tables, graphs. Calculations Problems
Write environmental models in Excel.
Formal Lab Report
Use environmental models as decision
Independent Research
making tools.
Unit Test
Create and interpret graphs and diagrams.
Work collaboratively.
Perform calculations without a calculator.
Answer document-based questions.
Unit 4A:
Human
Population
Growth
1 week
Chapter 11
Students Will:
Extract information from written sources.
Benchmark Labs:
Research independently.
Cemetery Lab
Conduct Field Investigations.
Population Research Project
Record field data in an organized and
professional fashion.
Assessments
Demographic Transition: Transition Stages, Demonstrate problem solving abilities.
Objective Notes
Make environmentally conscious
Age-Structure Diagrams
Essay Outlines
decisions based on scientific data.
Strategies for Sustainability: National Policies Understand uncertainty in measurement Graph Interpretations
Document-Based Questions
and data collection.
and Other Case Studies
Written Assessments
Demonstrate experimental design.
Impacts of population growth: hunger, disease, Calculate the mean and standard deviation Excel Models
Calculations Problems
and perform t-tests on sample means.
economic effects, resource use, habitat
Use Excel to construct data tables, graphs. Formal Lab Report
destruction
Population Growth: Human population size
and distribution, Fertility rates, Growth
rates, and Doubling times; Factors
affecting Population Birth and Death
rates.
AP Standards:
IIA-C
DEPARTMENT: SCIENCE
GRADE(S): 11-12
UNIT
Unit 4B:
Toxicology
LENGTH
1 week
Unit 5:
Air Pollution & 2 weeks
Global
Atmospheric
Course Title: Environmental Science/AP
Course Numbers: 255B
PRE-REQUISITES: PRE-REQUISITES (IF ANY): SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BIOLOGY AND
CHEMISTRY
CONTENT
Skills
Methods of Assessment
Write environmental models in Excel.
Independent Research
Use environmental models as decision
Unit Test
making tools.
Create and interpret graphs and diagrams.
Work collaboratively.
Perform calculations without a calculator.
Answer document-based questions.
Students Will:
Chapter 10
Extract information from written sources.
Toxicology: Environmental r isk analysis;
Research independently.
Benchmark Lab:
acute and chronic effects; dose-response
Conduct Field Investigations.
Brine Shrimp LD50 Lab
relationships; air pollutants; smoking and
Record field data in an organized and
Toxicology Research Project
other risks
professional fashion.
Assessments
Hazardous Waste: Types of hazardous waste; Demonstrate problem solving abilities.
Make environmentally conscious
Objective Notes
treatment/disposal of hazardous waste;
decisions based on scientific data.
Essay Outlines
cleanup of contaminated sites;
Understand uncertainty in measurement Graph Interpretations
biomagnification; relevant laws
and data collection.
Document-Based Questions
Demonstrate experimental design.
Written Assessments
Calculate the mean and standard deviation Excel Models
and perform t-tests on sample means.
Calculations Problems
Use Excel to construct data tables, graphs. Formal Lab Report
Write environmental models in Excel.
Independent Research
Use environmental models as decision
Unit Test
making tools.
Create and interpret graphs and diagrams.
Work collaboratively.
Perform calculations without a calculator.
Answer document-based questions.
Students Will:
Air Pollution: primary and secondary sources; Extract information from written sources.
major air pollutants; measurement units;
Research independently.
smog; acid deposition—causes and effects;
Conduct Field Investigations.
heat islands and temperature inversions;
Record field data in an organized and
Framework
Strand(s) &
Standard(s) *
AP Standard:
IVC
Chapter 12 and 13 Objectives
Benchmark Labs:
Simulating and Observing the
Effects of Acid Rain
AP Standards:
ID, IVA, VA-B
DEPARTMENT: SCIENCE
GRADE(S): 11-12
UNIT
LENGTH
Change
Unit 6 : Energy
2 weeks
Use and
Conservation
Course Title: Environmental Science/AP
Course Numbers: 255B
PRE-REQUISITES: PRE-REQUISITES (IF ANY): SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BIOLOGY AND
CHEMISTRY
CONTENT
Skills
Methods of Assessment
Framework
Strand(s) &
Standard(s) *
indoor air pollution; remediation and reduction professional fashion.
Ozone Lab
strategies; Clean Air Act and other relevant Demonstrate problem solving abilities.
Temporal CO2 and Temperature
Make environmentally conscious
laws.
Graphing Activity
decisions based on scientific data.
Understand uncertainty in measurement Assessments
Stratospheric Ozone: formation of
and data collection.
stratospheric ozone; ultraviolet radiation;
Objective Notes
Demonstrate experimental design.
causes of ozone depletion; effects of ozone
Essay Outlines
Calculate the mean and standard deviation Graph Interpretations
depletion; strategies for reducing ozone
and perform t-tests on sample means.
depletion; relevant laws and treaties.
Document-Based Questions
Use Excel to construct data tables, graphs. Written Assessments
Global Warming: Greenhouse gases and the Write environmental models in Excel.
Excel Models
greenhouse effect; impacts and consequences Use environmental models as decision
Calculations Problems
of global warming; reducing climate change; making tools.
Formal Lab Report
Create and interpret graphs and diagrams. Independent Research
relevant laws and treaties
Work collaboratively.
Unit Test
Perform calculations without a calculator.
Answer document-based questions.
Nonrenewable: Fossil Fuel Resources and
Use; Formation of coal, oil, and natural gas;
extraction/purification methods; world
reserves and global demand; synfuels;
environmental advantages/
disadvantages of sources) Nuclear Energy:
Nuclear fission process; nuclear fuel;
electricity production; nuclear reactor types;
environmental advantages/disadvantages;
safety issues; radiation and human health;
radioactive wastes; nuclear fusion
Renewable Energy: Hydroelectric Power
(Dams; flood control; salmon; silting; other
impacts); solar energy; solar electricity;
hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy;
Chapter 19 and 20
Students Will:
Extract information from written sources.
Benchmark Labs:
Research independently.
Conduct Field Investigations.
Nonrenewable vs. Renewable
Record field data in an organized and
Energy Research Project
professional fashion.
Personal Power Lab
Demonstrate problem solving abilities.
Biodiesel Lab
Make environmentally conscious
decisions based on scientific data.
Assessments
Understand uncertainty in measurement Objective Notes
and data collection.
Essay Outlines
Demonstrate experimental design.
Graph Interpretations
Calculate the mean and standard deviation Document-Based Questions
and perform t-tests on sample means.
Written Assessments
Use environmental models as decision
Excel Models
making tools.
Calculations Problems
Create and interpret graphs and diagrams. Formal Lab Report
AP Standards:
IA, VA
DEPARTMENT: SCIENCE
Course Title: Environmental Science/AP
Course Numbers: 255B
PRE-REQUISITES: PRE-REQUISITES (IF ANY): SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BIOLOGY AND
CHEMISTRY
GRADE(S): 11-12
UNIT
LENGTH
CONTENT
small-scale hydroelectric; ocean waves and
tidal energy; geothermal; environmental
advantages/disadvantages
Skills
Methods of Assessment
Framework
Strand(s) &
Standard(s) *
Work collaboratively.
Independent Research
Perform calculations without a calculator. Unit Test
Answer document-based questions.
Energy Conservation: Energy efficiency;
CAFE standards; hybrid electric vehicles;
mass transit
Unit 7:
Environment
and Society
Student
Independent
Research
Environmental effects of globalization;
Tragedy of the Commons; relevant laws and
treaties; Cost-benefit analysis; externalities;
marginal costs; sustainability, cap-and-trade
and other pollution control strategies.
1 week
Ongoing- 2
Trimester
nd
• Student directed
Students Will:
Extract information from written sources.
Research independently.
Use environmental models as decision
making tools.
Work collaboratively.
Perform calculations without a calculator.
Perform professionally during a debate.
Answer document-based questions.
Chapter 2
AP Standards:
Benchmark Labs:
VIA-E
Tragedy of the Commons
Simulation
HG Cap and Trade Role Playing
Game
Assessments
Objective Notes
Essay Outlines
Graph Interpretations
Document-Based Questions
Written Assessments
Excel Models
Calculations Problems
Formal Lab Report
Independent Research
Unit Test
Students will:
• Final Project
Extract information from written sources.
Research independently.
Conduct field investigations.
Demonstrate experimental design.
DEPARTMENT: SCIENCE
GRADE(S): 11-12
UNIT
LENGTH
Course Title: Environmental Science/AP
Course Numbers: 255B
PRE-REQUISITES: PRE-REQUISITES (IF ANY): SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF BIOLOGY AND
CHEMISTRY
CONTENT
Skills
Record field data in an organized and
professional fashion.
Understand uncertainty in measurement
and data collection.
Write a scientific paper
Methods of Assessment
Framework
Strand(s) &
Standard(s) *