AP Environmental Science (APES)
Matt Wallschlaeger
This course is designed to prepare students for the APES exam in May in addition to being the equivalent of
a one-semester college introductory course in environmental science.
This yearlong course, which utilizes a college-level text, details the environmental constraints humankind
confronts and describes the actions that can be taken in order to cope successfully with them. A deeper
understanding of and appreciation for nature is developed through lectures, discussion, activities, labs and
field trips regarding various aspects of the environment such as pollution, conservation, natural resources and
other issues.
Since passing the AP exam may qualify students to by-pass a first-year college environmental course, APES
should NOT be considered “college prep.” Instead, this is a COLLEGE course, with college level
expectations for behavior, attendance, participation and effort such as studying and completing work on your
child’s own time. The commitment of the course is for the self motivated as college students must be to
survive college courses.
Dual credit is offered for the first time for those who register at the COTC (Central Ohio Technical College
in Newark, Ohio) website. Students will get 4 hours of college credit by completing all assignments required
by COTC. The cost of the course (around 300 dollars) has been covered this year by Big Walnut Schools.
About me:
I have taught twenty four years in Big Walnut in a variety of content areas (integrated Freshman science,
biology, chemistry, independent studies and environmental science as well as science fair). I received my
B.S from Ohio University in Environmental Education and a M.A. in Secondary Science Education. I am a
COTC professor in addition as well as run the district science fair in February. I am always interested in
volunteers for the science fair. Volunteers can help with food for judges, floor control, or judging projects.
Those who wish to help can contact me by the contact information below.
Contact Information:
School email: matt_wallschlaeger@bigwalnut.k12.oh.us
School Voice mail: 740-965-3766 Ext 1008
I am much more efficient at returning emails than I am phone calls and I check my email frequently during
the day. My email can be found on the Big Walnut School Website
Availability to Students:
I am at school around 7AM every morning. I will be at school until 3:30 every day. However, there are
many days I have meetings immediately after school and it is a good idea for your child to check with me a
day or two in advance if help is needed after school.
Grades:
Students have access to their grades in line. In addition, you will have access to your child’s grade via on
line. Students will receive log in information this week and you will receive information next week.
Guidance counselors can give log in and password upon request. We use the grade program “Power
Teacher”.
Homework:
If a student is absent, he/she may either refer to their calendar or make-up board in the classroom or on the
On line Classroom provided by the school district. All papers are kept on file for 2 weeks (the current week
and previous week). It is up to the student to get any notes or work missed to be turned it in on time for
credit.
Tests:
Tests will be given at end of a chapter or group of chapters. This will most likely be twice a month. Tests
will be worth 100 points and will consist of 20-25 multiple choice questions to be completed in 20 minutes
and one free response questions to be completed in 20 minutes. This format has been chosen to mimic the
AP exam.
Helpful Study Tips:
*Pre-read each chapter. Use post-its to mark initial information that appears important or that might be
difficult to comprehend.
*Complete the chapter objectives for each chapter as the reading is completed. Make sure to note material
that is not understood so that it can be discussed in class.
* There are online support materials, which include practice tests questions, outlines and vocabulary at
http://www.highschool.bfwpub.com/Catalog/product/friedlandrelyeaenvironmentalscienceforapfriedland/studentresources that accompany the text. The text is called Environmental Science AP by
Friedland.
*Study a little every night….cramming for the exam is usually not the most efficient way to study for college
courses.
*Ask questions and seek help before it is too late.
*Take the time to think about how what is being studied now is related to last week’s topics, last month’s
topic and so on. To help with this be sure students are completing their weekly journal entries.
*Be aware of what is going on in the world around you. How is what we are studying today being reported
in the news that night?
Notebooks:
Student should have a three-ring binder in which they keep their work. Many colleges will require students
present their notebook as well as a passing AP exam score to receive college credit for the course so a quality
notebook is essential not only for success in the class but also for receiving college credit.
Field Trips:
There may be field trips as the year progresses but each and every one is essential to experiencing
environmental science as some of the issues we will see cannot be experienced at a high school. Some of the
trips may require that students return after school is dismissed.
Topic Outline for APES and dual credit Bio 105
First Quarter
August 22 – October 18
Introduction to Environmental Science
August 23- 31
Chapter 1: Studying the State of Our Earth
Chapter 2: Environmental Systems
August 23-27
August 28-31
Biodiversity – The Living World
September 4 - 14
September 4 - 14
Chapter 4: Global Climates and Biomes (Both Terrestrial and Aquatic)
Biological and Human Population
September 17 – October 18
Chapter 6: Population and Community Ecology
Chapter 7: The Human Population
Second Quarter
September 17 – October 2
October 3 - 18
October 22 – January 17
Understanding the Hydrosphere
October 22 – November 13
Chapter 9: Water Resources
Chapter 14: Water Pollution
October 22 - 31
November 5 - 13
Food, Soil Conservation, Pest Management and Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity – Land Use
November 14 – December 5
Chapter 11: Feeding the World
November 14 - 20
Chapter 10: Land, Public, and Private
November 26 – December 5
Understanding the Biosphere - The Living World
December 6 - January 10
Chapter 3: Ecosystem Ecology
Chapter 5: Evolution of Biodiversity
Chapter 18: Conservation of Biodiversity
Third quarter
December 6- 12
December 13 -21
January 7 - 11
January 22 – March 22
Sustaining Key Resources - Energy resources and Consumption
January 22 – February 15
Chapter 8: Earth Systems
January 22 - 29
Chapter 12: Nonrenewable Resources
January 30 - February 6
Chapter 13: Achieving Energy Sustainability
February 7 - 15
Effects on the Environment and Sustaining Environmental Quality – Pollution
February 19 – March 22
Chapter 15: Air Pollution and Stratospheric Ozone depletion February 19 – March 1
Chapter 17: Human Health and Environmental Risks
March 4 - 22
Fourth quarter
April 2 – June 5
Global Impacts and Sustaining Human Societies - Global Change and a Sustainable Future
April 2 – April 26
Chapter 16: Waste Generation and Waste Disposal
April 2 - 12
Chapter 19: Global Change
April 15 - 19
Chapter 20: Sustainability, Economics and Equity
April 22 - 26
April 29-May 3
May 6-10
Practicing the AP Exam
AP Exam Week
May 13-30
Environmental Issue Presentation
Other Options:
Wildlife Rehab presentation
Ohio State Guest Speaker
Bird House project
Photovoltic lab
Leaf Collection
Plot Study
Parent Teacher Conference Dates:
Please call the high school for conference dates. Pam Ott in the main office will schedule an appointment.