Download AP Environmental Science Syllabus HHS 2015-16

AP Environmental Science Syllabus HHS 2015-16
Teacher: Mrs. Elaine Hinchcliff
Harlingen High School, Room: 8-206
Conference: B days 8:15-9:45 a.m., except Fridays
Tutoring: Mon/Tues 4:15-4:45 pm; Thurs. 7:15-7:45 am
e-mail: [email protected]
Course Description:
AP Environmental Science is meant to prepare students to successfully complete the AP Environmental
Science College Board Exam. This two-semester course provides opportunities for lab and field
investigations, guided inquiry, and student-centered learning that build critical thinking and “soft” skills.
Prerequisites for enrollment include two years of prior coursework in laboratory sciences (Biology and
Chemistry or Physics). Major environments concepts include: Science is a process; Earth is an
interconnected natural system; energy conversions govern dynamic, biogeochemical processes; humans
alter that natural system; environmental problems have a social, cultural and economic context; and
sustainable systems and practices are necessary for humans to continue to survive.
AP Environmental Science students investigate the natural interrelationships of our world. Students
identify and analyze environmental problems and their effects, and evaluate the effectiveness of proposed
solutions. Students learn to think like environmental scientists as they make predictions based on
observation, write hypotheses, design and complete field studies and experiments, and reach and
communicate conclusions based on the analysis of data. Students apply the concepts of environmental
science to their everyday experiences, current events, and issues in science, politics, and society.
Successful APES students master the knowledge and understanding to be a responsible, proactive citizens
of Earth.
AP EXAM DATE: Monday, May 2, 2016
Textbook:
Environmental Science for AP by Friedland and Relyea. (New York, NY. Freeman and Company, 2012).
Other Books/Excerpts: (plus other as assigned)
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
Roadside Geology of Texas by Darwin Spearing
A Green History of the World: The Environment and the Collapse of Great Civilizations (excerpt “Lessons
from Easter Island” by Clive Ponting
Materials:
3-subject spiral
Pen and pencil
Lab composition book (recycle - use one prior classes)
Clean re-cycled (if possible) materials to create student projects assigned throughout year.
Grading Policy: Late work accepted in compliance with campus/district policy.
Tests *
25%
Assignments
75%
wt
Labs and Group Projects
5 pts
Free Response Questions
4 pts
Quizzes
3 pts
Other daily assignments
2 pts
Tests:
*All tests in this class will be timed. This is to prepare you for the AP exam. Tests will be multiple choice
and free response questions (FRQ). It is my responsibility as an AP teacher to prepare the students for the
AP exam. There will be a practice exam in early spring to help make sure you are ready for the exam, as
well as required District Common Formative Assessments.
Course Outline: Subject to modification as needed for student success and campus scheduling.
First Semester*
Unit 1 Studying the State of Our Earth (Weeks 1-2)
APES Introduction, Review and Summer Assignment
Tragedy of Commons Lab, Tragedy of Commons Reading (H/W)
How to - Writing Free-Response Questions* Summer Essay FRQ Activity
Ecocolumn Lab - begin 10wk lab project (ends with formal report)*
“Lessons from Easter Island” video, reading (H/W) and “Talk It Up” Activity
Principles of sustainability* and Societies, Current Event
“The Lorax” Video Activity
Environmental history – Video, People and Disasters Activity
Discussion – “We” AP College Board Project
Unit 2 Environmental Systems, Energy Concepts and Sustainability (Weeks 3-5)
Earth’s interrelated spheres (geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere)
Ring of fire video intro/Lecture earth structure and plate tectonics
Plate boundaries activity – create popup book
Earthquakes and tsunamis, “Talk It Up” Current Event Activity
Rock Cycle – biogeochemical process FRQ
Energy conversions in geochemical processes and sustainability
Unit 3 Earth Ecology: A Living World (Weeks 6-9)
RGV Environmental Summit
Ecosystems terrestrial vs. aquatic, bioenergy flow (lab), prey-predator and other relationships
Lecture Energy pyramids, food webs, interpreting energy/biomass charts, FRQ
Global climates, interpreting maps, Biomes Movie Project
Lab: Check Your Albedo
Adaptation Lab, evolution and speciation, succession and biodiversity, “Talk It Up” Activity
Biodiversity, species and sustainability: native and exotic species, protected vs endangered
species, extinct, habitat loss, preservation, conservation, remediation, mitigation, restoration,
Endangered Species Act, Quiz
Guest Speaker U.S. Fish & Wildlife from Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge
“Save the Monarch” Lab part 1
2nd Qtr
Unit 4 Populations (Weeks 10-11)
Migratory Birds Count & Biodiversity Field Trip
Population and Community Ecology
Graphing: Data analysis, making and interpreting graphs, using graphs to predict future growth
Demographics: human population distribution/fertility rates/ age structure diagrams/ transitions
Human Population Video with FQR
Yeast Lab: growth rates and doubling, sustainability
Lecture Human population growth and implications for sustainability*
Project Sustainable Design
Unit 5 Spheres and Sustainability of Resources (Weeks 12-16)
How Do They Know What’s There? Cupcake Lab, Geosphere – Rocks and minerals, rock cycle,
soil formation and composition, biogeochemical processes, sustainability*
Investigating Physical and Chemical Composition of Soil Lab
Distribution of Mineral Resources (using maps) and Environ & Social Implications
Surface Mining Reclamation Act, environmental and social issues, video clip and lecture
“Thinking Like A Mountain” excerpt Leopold reading with quiz
Hydrosphere – Groundwater and surface water, fresh vs saltwater, abundance, purification
Water Diversion- Aral Sea video clip, Dam Research Activity and Poetry Jam Presentation, FRQ
Atmosphere – Composition, circulation and Coriolis effect, role in the weather, El Nino/ENSO
Video – weather and global changes, El Nino Lab Activity, Weather Claymation video project
Review for Midterm and Testing (Weeks 17-18)
*On-going Emphasis (see last page)
3rd Qtr - Second Semester*
Winter Break
Unit 6 Land Use (Weeks 1-4)
Public and Private Lands
Video: John Muir and National Parks, Public Broadcasting
Land management and sustainability* - urban development, rangeland, FRQ
Design Your Neighborhood – sustainability project
Agriculture & Silviculture, Green/Industrial Revolutions, farming practices past and present,
integrated pest management, DDT, sustainable harvesting, economic impacts and decisions
Monoculture and biodiversity loss “Save the Monarch” Lab2
World hunger and sustainability “Talk It Up” Current Event Activity and FRQ
Unit 7 Energy Resources and Consumption (Week 5-6)
Cookie Mining Engagement Lab, Intro lecture, Carbon footprint on-line lab activity
Generation of energy - the process and environmental costs, “What turns the turbine?” FRQ
Renewable vs Non-renewable Energy research project and presentation (fossil fuels, nuclear,
solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind)
Video clips - Coal mining/ Oil drilling/fracking/reclamation, Surface Mining & Reclamation Act
Unit 8 Pollution and Solutions (Weeks 7-9)
Natural and anthropogenic sources/Point and Non-point
Water quality: lecture/video and lab
Water pollution and environmental risks (acid rain, eutrophication, endocrine disruptors, poisons
and other hazardous chemicals), ground vs surface waters issues, Clean Water Act,FRQ
Waste Water/Sewage Treatment Plant Modeling Project and Lab
Waste Water/Sewage Treatment Plant field trip (pending approval) or lecture with demo
Solid waste and landfills - lecture and video, FRQ
Air pollution – chemistry of smog and acid rain, associated environmental problems such as
greenhouse gases and global climate change, health issues, loss of habitat, Clean Air Act
Group Activity: CFCs Planetarium Style
Campus Air Quality Lab
Solid waste lecture and video - generation and disposal/sustainability (3 r’s, landfills)
Spring Break 4th Qtr
Unit 9 Environmental Risk and Human Health (Weeks 10-11)
Pollution – outdoor and indoor/ associated health problems
Infectious diseases: sources, prevention and cures, “Talk It Up” Current Event Activity
Vaccinations: Pros and Cons Debate, FRQ
“Contagion” video activity
Poisons and chemicals in ecosystems/sustainability
Unit 10 Laws and Ethics (Week 12)
History of Environmental Legislation: Laws and Treaties Web quest
Public policy and globalization, “Talk It Up” Current Event Activity
Town Hall Meeting activity on campus environmental issue, FRQ
New “Lorax” video activity
Unit 11 Using and Producing Data Maps (Weeks 13)
Predicting global change, economics, equity and sustainability issues
AP Exam Review (Week 14-15)
AP Exam and Student Final Projects (Week 16)
Unit 12 Student Final Projects (Weeks 17)
Final Review and Senior Exam Week
*On-going Emphasis: Current Events (w/ Qrtly Presentation), Scientific Processes, Methods and
Skills, Principles of Sustainability, Current Event reporting, Writing Free Response Questions