Highlands High School
304622 – AP Environmental Science
2014-2015
Instructor:
Colleen Epperson
Grade:
Credit:
11/12
1
815-2628 or 781-5900 (ext. 2628)
colleen.epperson@fortthomas.kyschools.us
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 trips and service projects during the school
day and some experiences that may take place after school and on weekends. Several
opportunities will be announced throughout the year. All students must take the AP
Environmental Science Exam given on Monday, May 4th, 2015.
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…….
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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. Environmental Science notebook (purchase in bookstore)
3. Barron’s AP Environmental Science 5th edition (Amazon or other)
Text: Environment: The Science Behind the Stories, Withgott and Brennan, Pearson/Benjamin
Cummings Publisher 2007. Students will read and summarize the information in the text.
Grade Calculation: Grades will be determined based on the total number of points earned from
the following categories:
1. Chapter Tests (~75pts each): There will be 23 chapter reading tests scheduled weekly.
Each Test may consist of ~ 20-30 multiple choice questions and 1 FRQ (free response
question) that will assess your understanding of the content. Students who turn in
Chapter Summaries/Notes on the day of the test will be given the curve using the “square
root x 10 method which semi-mirrors the AP grading scale.
2. Daily Assignments (10-20pts each): There will be several activities that students will
complete during the class period for points.
3. Videos and Discussions (10-20 pts): Videos will be shown periodically. Questions
and discussions will be factored into the grade. Class discussions are encouraged
especially surrounding current events.
4. Labs (50pts) Several labs will be completed throughout the year.
5. Daily Participation (25% of your grade) Students are expected to use their time in
class constructively to complete assignments, reading and note taking, discussions, etc.
Make-up Work: Students who are absent are expected to talk with other students to get
information about what they missed and see me about handouts or arranging times to make-up
labs or tests. Also check the class web-site.
Field Trips: There will be 2-3 educational field trips 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, making notes 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.
Envirothon: This is a State Environmental Competition held on a Saturday in early spring of
2015. 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
year’s topic is Urban Forestry. All students in APES are encouraged to participate in
Envirothon. Training opportunities and meetings after school will occur throughout the year.
Class Atmosphere and Participation: 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. Students will earn participation points for being involved in
class.
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. Please be on time to class!
Academic Dishonesty: Do not copy another student’s work. Do not use information from other
sources and claim it as your own. Students who are suspected of cheating will be confronted.
Credit will not be awarded and parents will be called.
Classroom Computer Usage: Students may bring their own devices for use in the classroom or
use the classroom lap top computers to complete their work. 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.
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