Download Environmental Science v. 2016

2015 - 2016
Environmental Science
This course will focus on society’s impact on the environment, natural resources and energy use.
Environmental science takes concepts from Biology, Chemistry, Ecology, Geology, and the Social sciences
including economics, politics and ethics. The course topics include Environmental Problems; Energy Flow,
Matter & Cycling in Ecosystems; Population Dynamics; Endangered Species; Water Resources and Water
Quality; Waste Management; Climate Change; Renewable and Non Renewable Energy; Pesticides and
Pollution; and Agriculture and Food Management.
Class structure includes case studies and current events, environmental journals, group and individual
projects, labs that simulate various environmental conditions, outside field sampling, and field trips.
Course Information:
Frequency & Duration: Daily for 42 minutes; 5 periods per week
Text: Miller, G. Tyler. Living in the Environment. Thirteenth ed. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/ColeThomas Learning, 2004. Print.
Environmental Science
v. 2015 - 2016
Content: Environmental Problems
Duration: August/ September (3 weeks)
How does the quality of the environment affect the health of all living things within it?
Essential How are the needs and wants of all living things (including humans) directly connected to successful
Question: management of natural resources?
How do humans influence the environment?
Skills:
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Assessment: 
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Evaluate the impact of using renewable and nonrenewable energy resources on the Earth’s system.
Analyze current solid waste regulations.
Research the impact of new and emerging technologies in the use, reuse, recycling and disposal of
materials.
Evaluate ways that waste could be reduced during the production of specific product.
Given a set of data students will be able to evaluate the impact of using renewable and nonrenewable
energy resources on the Earth’s system.
Students will analyze current solid waste regulations.
Students will research the impact of new and emerging technologies in the use, reuse, recycling and
disposal of materials.
Students will evaluate ways that waste could be reduced during the production of specific product.
16 Living in the Environment Pgs. 381-414
Resources / Ch
Carbon Footprint Lab
Activities: Sustainability Research Project
Standards:
Vocabulary:
Comments:
3.3.12.A2. Evaluate the impact of using renewable and nonrenewable energy resources on the Earth’s
system.
4.5.12.D Analyze current solid waste regulations. Research the impact of new and emerging technologies
in the use, reuse, recycling and disposal of materials. Evaluate ways that waste could be reduced during
the production of specific product.
Non Renewable Resources- any natural resource from the Earth that exists in limited supply and
cannot be replaced if it is used up; also, any natural resource that cannot be replenished by natural means
at the same rates that it is consumed; Recycling- to treat or process (used or waste materials) so as to
make suitable for reuse; Renewable Resources- any natural resource that can replenish itself naturally
over time, as wood or solar energy; Sustainability- the quality of not being harmful to the environment
or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance
Environmental Science
v. 2015 - 2016
Content: Energy Flow, Matter & Cycling
Duration: Sept./ Oct. (3 weeks)
How are the needs and wants of all living things (including humans) directly connected to successful
management of natural resources?
Essential How do humans influence the environment?
Question:
When investigating different systems (e.g., agriculture, terrestrial, aquatic), how does a habitat meet the
needs of a species?
Skills:
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Assessment:
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Explain how species adapt to limiting factors in an ecosystem.
Explain the consequences of interrupting natural cycles.
Research solutions to problems caused by interrupting natural cycles.
Explain how public policy encourages or discourages the sustainable use of natural resources.
Evaluate how organisms must derive energy from their environment or their food in order to
survive.
Describe and interpret dynamic changes in stable systems.
Students will be able to explain how species adapt to limiting factors in an ecosystem.
Students will be able to explain the consequences of interrupting natural cycles.
Students will research solutions to problems caused by interrupting natural cycles.
Students will explain how public policy encourages or discourages the sustainable use of natural
resources.
Students will evaluate how organisms must derive energy from their environment or their food in
order to survive.
Students will describe and interpret dynamic changes in stable systems.
Resources / Ch. 4 Living in the Environment Pgs. 64-93
Activities: Energy Flow Lab
Standards:
4.1.12.a Explain how species adapt to limiting factors in an ecosystem.
4.1.10.B Explain the consequences of interrupting natural cycles.
4.1.12.B Research solutions to problems caused by interrupting natural cycles
4.5.10.A. Explain how public policy encourages or discourages the sustainable use of natural resources.
4.5.12.A. Research how technology influences the sustainable use of natural resources; Analyze how
consumer demands drive the development of technology enabling the sustainable use of natural
resources
3.1.12.A2.Evaluate how organisms must derive energy from their environment or their food in order to
survive.
3.1.12.A8.Describe and interpret dynamic changes in stable systems.
3.3.10.A3. Explain how the evolution of Earth has been driven by interactions between the lithosphere,
hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
Vocabulary:
Biosphere- the part of the earth's crust, waters, and atmosphere that supports life; Ecosystem- a
system, or a group of interconnected elements, formed by the interaction of a community of organisms
with their environment.; Limiting Factors- an environmental factor that tends to limit population size
Comments:
Environmental Science
v. 2015 - 2016
Content: Population Dynamics
Duration: Oct./ Nov. (3 weeks)
How do humans influence the environment?
Essential
Question: How do changes within living and non-living components of terrestrial and human systems affect the
balance within and between them?
Skills:
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Research practices that impact biodiversity in specific ecosystems
Analyze the effects of new and emerging technologies on biodiversity in specific ecosystems.
Research how humans affect energy flow within an ecosystem.
Describe the impact of industrial, agricultural, and commercial enterprises on an ecosystem
Research solutions addressing human impacts on ecosystems over time.
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Students will Research practices that impact biodiversity in specific ecosystems
Students will analyze the effects of new and emerging technologies on biodiversity in specific
ecosystems.
Students will research how humans affect energy flow within an ecosystem.
Students will be able to describe the impact of industrial, agricultural, and commercial enterprises on
an ecosystem.
Assessment: 
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Resources / Ch. 9 Living in the Environment Pgs. 191-201
Activities: Impact on Ecosystem Lab
Standards:
4.5.10.D. Research practices that impact biodiversity in specific ecosystems
4.5.12.D. Analyze the effects of new and emerging technologies on biodiversity in specific ecosystems.
4.1.12.C. Research how humans affect energy flow within an ecosystem.
Describe the impact of industrial, agricultural, and commercial enterprises on an ecosystem
4.1.12.E. Research solutions addressing human impacts on ecosystems over time.
3.3.10.A3.
Biodiversity- diversity among and within plant and animal species in an environment; Population- the
Vocabulary: assemblage of a specific type of organism living in a given area; all the individuals of one species in a
given area
Comments:
Environmental Science
v. 2015 - 2016
Content: Endangered Species
Duration: Nov./ Dec. ( 6 weeks)
What are the positive and negative effects of environmental laws and regulations on humans,
the environment, and the economy?
Essential
How do humans influence the environment?
Question:
How is the survival of species and their ability to adapt affected by natural and human induced
environmental changes?
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Skills: 
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Assessment:
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Analyze the significance of biological diversity in an ecosystem
Analyze the differences between natural causes and human causes of extinction.
Research wildlife management laws and their effects on biodiversity.
Analyze the relationship between habitat changes to plant and animal population
fluctuations.
Evaluate the impact of laws and regulations on reducing the number of threatened and
endangered species.
Students will be able to analyze the significance of biological diversity in an ecosystem
Given a set of data, students will be able to analyze the differences between natural causes
and human causes of extinction.
Students will research wildlife management laws and their effects on biodiversity.
Given a set of data students will Analyze the relationship between habitat changes to plant
and animal population fluctuations
Given a set of laws and regulations students will evaluate how those laws reduce the number
of threatened and endangered species.
Ch. 22 Living in the Environment Pgs. 568-594
Resources /
Endangered Species Research Project
Activities: Suitcase for Survival
4.1.12.a Analyze the significance of biological diversity in an ecosystem; Analyze the differences
between natural causes and human causes of extinction; Research wildlife management laws and
their effects on biodiversity.
Standards: 4.5.10.D Analyze the relationship between habitat changes to plant and animal population
fluctuations.
4.5.12.D. Evaluate the impact of laws and regulations on reducing the number of threatened
and endangered species.
Endangered Species- a species at risk of extinction because of human activity, changes in
climate, changes in predator-prey ratios, etc., especially when officially designated as such by a
governmental agency such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Extinction- the act or process
Vocabulary: of becoming extinct; a coming to an end or dying out; Habitat- the natural environment of an
organism; place that is natural for the life and growth of an organism; Threatened- a species
likely, in the near future, to become an endangered species within all or much of its range
Comments:
Environmental Science
v. 2015 - 2016
Content: Water Resources & Water Quality
Duration: Jan./ Feb. (4 weeks)
What are the positive and negative effects of environmental laws and regulations on humans, the
environment, and the economy?
How do humans influence the environment?
Essential
Question: How do changes within living and non-living components of aquatic and human systems affect the
balance within and between them?
When investigating different systems (e.g., agriculture, terrestrial, aquatic), how does a habitat meet the
needs of a species?
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Skills: 
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Assessment: 
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Explain the processes of the hydrologic cycle and there is only one ocean.
Explain the dynamics of oceanic currents and their relationship to global circulation within the
marine environment.
Examine environmental laws related to land use management and its impact on the water quality and
flow within a watershed.
Examine the interactions between abiotic and biotic factors within a watershed.
Describe how topography influences the flow of water in a watershed.
Investigate and analyze how vegetation affects water runoff and the quality of water in a watershed.
Examine environmental laws related to land use management and its impact on the water quality and
flow within a watershed.
Examine how human interactions impact wetlands and their surrounding environments.
Analyze the effects of policies and regulations at various governmental levels on wetlands and their
surrounding environments.
Analyze the effects of policies and regulations at various governmental levels on water quality.
Assess the intended and unintended effects of public polices and regulations relating to water
quality.
Explain the consequences of interrupting natural cycles
Research laws and policies that address the sustainable use of natural resources (e.g., solid and liquid
waste management
Explain how public policy encourages or discourages the sustainable use of natural resources.
Students will be able to explain the processes of the hydrologic cycle and there is only one ocean.
Given a set of data, students will be able to explain the dynamics of oceanic currents and their
relationship to global circulation within the marine environment.
Students will Examine environmental laws related to land use management and its impact on the
water quality and flow within a watershed.
Given a set of data Examine the interactions between abiotic and biotic factors within a watershed.
Students will be able to describe how topography influences the flow of water in a watershed.
Students will be able to investigate and analyze how vegetation affects water runoff and the quality
of water in a watershed.
Students will examine environmental laws related to land use management and its impact on the
water quality and flow within a watershed.
Given a scenario, students will be able to examine how human interactions impact wetlands and
their surrounding environment.
Students will Analyze the effects of policies and regulations at various governmental levels on
wetlands and their surrounding environments.
Students will Analyze the effects of policies and regulations at various governmental levels on water
quality.
Students will assess the intended and unintended effects of public polices and regulations relating to
water quality.
Students will be able to explain the consequences of interrupting natural cycles
Students will research laws and policies that address the sustainable use of natural resources (e.g.,
solid and liquid waste management
Environmental Science

v. 2015 - 2016
Students will explain how public policy encourages or discourages the sustainable use of natural
resources.
Ch4, 7, 14, 19, 21 Living in the Environment Pgs. 82-86, 147-155, 156, 313-336, 460-462, 486-495, 526-
Resources / 532
Activities: Water Quality Lab
Water Shed Lab
Standards:
Vocabulary:
Comments:
3.3.10.A5. Explain how there is only one ocean; Explain the processes of the hydrologic cycle;
Explain the dynamics of oceanic currents and their relationship to global circulation within the marine
environment.
4.2.12.A. Examine environmental laws related to land use management and its impact on the water
quality and flow within a watershed.
4.2.10.A. Examine the interactions between abiotic and biotic factors within a watershed.;
Describe how topography influences the flow of water in a watershed; Describe how vegetation affects
water runoff; Investigate and analyze the effects of land use on the quality of water in a watershed.
4.2.10.B. Examine how human interactions impact wetlands and their surrounding environments;
Describe how land use decisions affect wetlands
4.2.12.B. Analyze the effects of policies and regulations at various governmental levels on wetlands and
their surrounding environments; Examine various public policies relating to wetlands; Investigate the
intended and unintended effects of public policies and regulations relating to wetlands.
4.2.12.A. Examine environmental laws related to land use management and its impact on the water
quality and flow within a watershed.
4.5.10.A Research laws and policies that address the sustainable use of natural resources (e.g., solid and
liquid waste
3.3.10.A3
4.1.10.B
Hydrologic Cycle- the natural sequence through which water passes into the atmosphere as water
vapor, precipitates to earth in liquid or solid form, and ultimately returns to the atmosphere through
evaporation; Water pollution- The addition of harmful chemicals to natural water. Sources of water
pollution in the United States include industrial waste, run-off from fields treated with chemical
fertilizers, and run-off from areas that have been mined; Watershed- the region or area drained by a
river, stream, etc.; drainage area
Environmental Science
v. 2015 - 2016
Content: Waste Management
Duration: February (2 weeks)
Essential
How do humans influence the environment?
Question:
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Assessment: 
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Research laws and policies that address the sustainable use of natural resources (e.g., solid and liquid
waste management
Explain how public policy encourages or discourages the sustainable use of natural resources.
Evaluate waste management practices.
Students will evaluate waste management practices.
Students will research laws and policies that address the sustainable use of natural resources (e.g.,
solid and liquid waste management
Students will explain how public policy encourages or discourages the sustainable use of natural
resources.
Students will evaluate waste management practices
Resources / Living in the Environment Pgs. Ch 21- 528-531
Activities: Waste management lab
4.5.12.D. Evaluate waste management practices
Standards: 4.2.12.C. Analyze the effects of policies and regulations at various governmental levels on water quality;
Assess the intended and unintended effects of public policies and regulations relating to water quality.
Waste Management- the processes involved in dealing with the waste of humans and organisms,
Vocabulary: including minimization, handling, processing, storage, recycling, transport, and final disposal
Comments:
Environmental Science
v. 2015 - 2016
Content: Climate Change
Duration: Feb./ March (3weeks)
Essential How do humans influence the environment?
Question:
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Skills:
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Assessment:
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Explain how the evolution of Earth has been driven by interactions between the lithosphere,
hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
Relate the transfer of energy through radiation, conduction, and convection to global atmospheric
processes.
Explain how the ocean dominates the Earth’ s carbon cycle.
Infer how human activities may impact the natural course of Earth’s cycles.
Students will be able to explain how the evolution of Earth has been driven by interactions between
the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
Students will be able to relate the transfer of energy through radiation, conduction, and convection
to global atmospheric processes.
Students will be able to explain how the ocean dominates the Earth’ s carbon cycle.
Given a set of data, students will be able to infer how human activities may impact the natural
course of Earth’s cycles
3, 18. Living in the Environment Pgs. 447-452
Resources / Ch
Weather vs Climate Lab
Activities: Climatology Lab
Standards:
Vocabulary:
Comments:
3.3.10.A3 Relate the transfer of energy through radiation, conduction, and convection to global
atmospheric processes.
3.3.10.A2. Analyze the effects on the environment and the carbon cycle of using both renewable and
nonrenewable sources of energy
3.3.12.A5.Explain how the ocean dominates the Earth’ s carbon cycle.
3.3.12.A7. CONSTANCY/CHANGE Infer how human activities may impact the natural course of
Earth’s cycles.
3.3.12.A2.
Carbon Cycle- the circulation of carbon atoms in the biosphere as a result of photosynthetic conversion
of carbon dioxide into complex organic compounds by plants, which are consumed by other organisms:
the carbon returns to the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide as a result of respiration, decay by
fungi, bacteria, etc., and combustion of fossil fuels; Climate- the composite or generally prevailing
weather conditions of a region, as temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine,
cloudiness, and winds, throughout the year, averaged over a series of years; Climate Change- a longterm change in the earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric
temperature; Weather- the composite or generally prevailing weather conditions of a region, as
temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness, and winds, throughout the year,
averaged over a series of years
Environmental Science
v. 2015 - 2016
Content: Renewable and Non Renewable Energy
Duration: March/ April (6 weeks)
Essential How do humans influence the environment?
Question:
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Skills:
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Assessment: 
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Analyze the effects on the environment and the carbon cycle of using both renewable and
nonrenewable sources of energy.
Evaluate factors affecting the use of natural resources.
Evaluate the effect of consumer demands on the use of natural resources.
Analyze how technologies such as modern mining, harvesting, and transportation equipment affect
the use of our natural resources.
Describe how local and state agencies manage natural resources.
Analyze factors that influence the local, regional, national, and global availability of natural resources.
Compare the use of natural resources in different countries.
Analyze the social, economic, and political factors that affect the distribution of natural resources
(e.g., wars, political systems, classism, racism).
Given a set of data students will be able to analyze the effects on the environment from using
renewable and nonrenewable resources
Given a set of data, students will Evaluate factors affecting the use of natural resources.
Students will evaluate the effect of consumer demands on the use of natural resources.
Students will analyze how technologies such as modern mining, harvesting, and transportation
equipment affect the use of our natural resources.
Students will describe how local and state agencies manage natural resources.
Students will analyze factors that influence the local, regional, national, and global availability of
natural resources.
Given a set of data students will compare the use of natural resources in different countries.
Students will analyze the social, economic, and political factors that affect the distribution of natural
resources (e.g., wars, political systems, classism, racism).
15, 16, 26 Living in the Environment Pgs.339-414, 702
Resources / Ch
Energy comparison lab
Activities: Renewable Energy Project
Standards:
3.3.10.A2. Analyze the effects on the environment and the carbon cycle of using both renewable and
nonrenewable sources of energy.
4.3.10.A. Evaluate factors affecting the use of natural resources; Evaluate the effect of consumer
demands on the use of natural resources; Analyze how technologies such as modern mining, harvesting,
and transportation equipment affect the use of our natural resources; Describe how local and state
agencies manage natural resources.
4.3.12.B.Analyze factors that influence the local, regional, national, and global availability of natural
resources; Compare the use of natural resources in different countries; Analyze the social, economic, and
political factors that affect the distribution of natural resources (e.g., wars, political systems, classism,
racism).
Environmental Science
Vocabulary:
Comments:
v. 2015 - 2016
Hydraulic Fracturing- a process in which fractures in rocks below the earth's surface are opened and
widened by injecting chemicals and liquids at high pressure: used especially to extract natural gas or oil;
Natural Resources- the natural wealth of a country, consisting of land, forests, mineral deposits, water,
etc.; Nuclear Energy- energy released by reactions within atomic nuclei, as in nuclear fission or fusion;
Mining- the act, process, or industry of extracting ores, coal, etc., from mines
Environmental Science
v. 2015 - 2016
Content: Pesticides and Pollution
Duration: April/ May (3 weeks)
What are the positive and negative effects of environmental laws and regulations on humans, the
Essential environment, and the economy?
Question:
How do humans influence the environment?
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Skills:
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Assessment: 
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Analyze real- world data and explain how point and non-point source pollution can be detected and
eliminated.
Compare and contrast the environmental effects of different industrial strategies.
Analyze the costs, benefits and technology of means to control pollution.
Research and analyze the local, state, and national laws that deal with point and non- point source
pollution.
Describe the impact of occupational exposure to pollutants.
Analyze laws and regulations designed to protect human health.
Analyze how consumer demands promote the production of pollutants that affect human health.
Relate changes in the environment to various organisms’ ability to compensate using homeostatic
mechanisms
Students will Analyze real- world data and explain how point and non-point source pollution can be
detected and eliminated.
Students will compare and contrast the environmental effects of different industrial strategies.
Students will analyze the costs, benefits, and technology to control pollution.
Students will research and analyze the local, state, and national laws that deal with point and nonpoint source pollution.
Students will describe the impact of occupational exposure to pollutants.
Students will analyze laws and regulations designed to protect human health.
Students will analyze how consumer demands promote the production of pollutants that affect
human health.
Students will relate changes in the environment to various organisms’ ability to compensate using
homeostatic mechanisms
21, 23 Living in the Environment Pgs. 489, 526-555, 630
Resources / Ch16,
Urbanization Project
Activities: Pollution Lab
Standards:
4.5.10.C. Analyze real- world data and explain how point and non-point source pollution can be detected
and eliminated; Compare and contrast the environmental effects of different industrial strategies.
4.5.12.C. Analyze the costs and benefits of means to control pollution; Analyze the role of technology in
the reduction of pollution. Research and analyze the local, state, and national laws that deal with point
and non- point source pollution; Explain mitigation and its role in maintaining environmental health
4.5.10.E. Describe the impact of occupational exposure to pollutants.
Analyze laws and regulations designed to protect human health.
Analyze efforts to prevent, control, and/or reduce pollution through cost and benefit analysis and risk
management
4.5.12.E. Analyze how consumer demands promote the production of pollutants that affect human
health.
3.1.12.A1.
Relate changes in the environment to various organisms’ ability to compensate using homeostatic
mechanisms
4.4.10.D. Evaluate the use of technologies to increase plant and animal productivity.
Environmental Science
v. 2015 - 2016
4.4.12.D. Describe how policies, regulations, and laws affect the technologies adopted in agriculture.
Pollutants- any substance, as certain chemicals or waste products, that renders the air, soil, water, or
Vocabulary: other natural resource harmful or unsuitable for a specific purpose; Occupational Exposure- the
condition of being exposed to danger, harm, etc.: exposure to toxic mold
Comments:
Environmental Science
v. 2015 - 2016
Content: Agriculture
Duration: May (2 weeks)
How are the needs and wants of all living things (including humans) directly connected to successful
management of natural resources?
How do humans influence the environment?
Essential
Question: When investigating different systems (e.g., agriculture, terrestrial, aquatic), how does a habitat meet the
needs of a species?
In what ways are human societies and cultures impacted by management and practices of agricultural
systems?
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Skills: 
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Assessment: 
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Research and analyze the social, political, economic, and environmental factors that affect
agricultural systems.
Analyze the effects of agriculture on a society’ s economy, environment, standard of living, and
foreign trade.
Research and evaluate laws and policies that affect the food and fiber system.
Analyze how agricultural sciences and technologies strive to increase efficiency while balancing the
needs of society with the conservation of our natural resources.
Analyze research and development initiatives as they relate to agriculture
Evaluate the societal impact of genetic engineering techniques and applications
Students will research and analyze the social, political, economic, and environmental factors that
affect agricultural systems.
Students will analyze the effects of agriculture on a society’ s economy, environment, standard of
living, and foreign trade.
Students will research and evaluate laws and policies that affect the food and fiber system.
Students will analyze how agricultural sciences and technologies strive to increase efficiency while
balancing the needs of society with the conservation of our natural resources.
Given a set of data, analyze research and development initiatives as they relate to agriculture.
Students will evaluate the societal impact of genetic engineering techniques and applications
13 Living in the Environment Pgs. 278-284, 307-309,
Resources / Ch
Agricultural Research Lab
Activities: GMO research project
Standards:
4.4.12.A. Research and analyze the social, political, economic, and environmental factors that affect
agricultural systems.
4.4.10.B. Analyze the effects of agriculture on a society’ s economy, environment, standard of living, and
foreign trade.
4.4.12.B.Research and evaluate laws and policies that affect the food and fiber system.
4.4.10.C. Analyze how agricultural sciences and technologies strive to increase efficiency while balancing
the needs of society with the conservation of our natural resources.
4.4.12.C.Analyze research and development initiatives as they relate to agriculture.
3.1.12.B4. Evaluate the societal impact of genetic engineering techniques and applications.
Vocabulary:
Agricultural Systems- the science, art, or occupation concerned with cultivating land, raising crops, and
feeding, breeding, and raising livestock; farming; Food and Fiber System- s the sector of the U.S.
economy that includes agricultural production and all economic activities supporting or utilizing that
production, including farm machinery and chemical production, and processing, manufacturing,
transportation, and retailing; Genetic engineering- the development and application of scientific
methods, procedures, and technologies that permit direct manipulation of genetic material in order to
alter the hereditary traits of a cell, organism, or population; Organic Farming- is a form of agriculture
that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control
Comments: