AP Environmental Science
La Serna High School
2014-15
Mr. J. Padgett
(562) 698-8121 ext. 6157
jeffrey.padgett@wuhsd.org
www.lshses.weebly.com
Course Description
The goal of the APES course is to 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. It is a one year course
designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory course usually taken over the first year. This course
differs significantly from the usual high school course with respect to the kind of textbook used, the range
and depth of topics covered, the level of laboratory and activity work done by students, and the overall
rigor the course entails. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from
different areas of study. This course is the study of how humans interact with the environment including
natural sciences and social sciences. It integrates concepts of chemistry, biology, geology, geography,
economics, political science, philosophy and ethics. APES provides students with the conceptual
framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing
science of the Human impact on the Environment. It can help the student greatly by continuing to develop
the academic skills necessary to succeed in college, while providing them with the opportunity to earn
credit for their achievement at a college level.
Required Materials
Text:
- Living in the Environment 17th Ed., Miller & Spoolman, published by Brooks/Cole under Cengage
Learning distributor, 2009, 2012.
Notebook/Binder:
- Students must keep a binder dedicated to this class with at least 3 divided sections.
Spiral notebook/Comp book:
- This will be specifically for lab reports and will be turned in following each lab activity.
Other Resources:
- In addition, we will draw information from supplemental environmental science textbooks,
non-fiction books, lab manuals, periodicals, readings / case studies, and the internet.
Therefore, it is essential that all students have access to the internet. There are countless
Five Key Objectives for AP Environmental Science for 2015 and Beyond
1. Making Connections - Students need to understand how one phenomenon can lead to another
and how one or move events, through a series of steps can lead to a final outcome.
2. Understanding Big Ideas and the Big Picture - More than any other science, environmental science
seeks to understand the “Big Picture” of what is happening on Earth by understanding the
interconnectedness among things.
3. Solving Problems - Quantitative analysis and mathematics are two of science’s most powerful
tools and students need to know how to apply these tools in the solving or environmental
problems.
4. The Application of Language as a Powerful Tool - Students need to understand the vocabulary of
science and how to use it appropriately. They need to be able to express scientific ideas and
concepts through accurate and precise writing. Good scientific writing should not contain
extraneous information, it should not be murky, and it should not be sloppy.
5. Creating Rigorous Scientific Investigations - Students should be able to creatively construct and
execute environmental investigations inside (experiments) and outside (observations) the
laboratory that produce empirical evidence proving or disproving hypotheses.
Course Overview
Semester I
Semester II
Ecology
Population Dynamics
Water Resources & Pollution
Air Resources & Pollution
Atmosphere & Climate Change
Earth Dynamics & Soil
Agriculture & Pesticides
Land use & Biodiversity
Solid & Hazardous Waste
Energy
Ethics & Sustainability
Grading
Class Grading Categories:
50% Assessments
Includes: unit tests, quizzes, final exam
25% Indoors Component
Includes: homework, activities, labs, case studies, etc.
25% Outdoors Component
Includes: LSHS OEEC projects, labs, service learning
Grading Scale:
100% - 90%
89.9% - 80%
79.9% - 70%
69.9% - 60%
59.9% and below
A
B
C
D
F
Unit Tests
A test will be administered at the end of each of the units listed above in the course overview. Additionally,
there will be a semester 1 and semester 2 final exam. All tests will be very similar to the AP Exam, which
consists of 60% multiple-choice questions and 40% free-response questions.
Homework
All homework assignments will be due the day after they are assigned, unless noted otherwise. If a student
is absent and the office cleared the absence, the student will have as many days as he or she missed to
complete the assignment for full credit.
Late Work
Late work will be accepted at the discretion of the teacher for partial credit. Late work will only be
accepted during the unit of study in which it was assigned. I reserve the right to deny any student from
submitting work late after absences due to suspension or truancy. Projects and reports will not be
accepted late. The teacher will determine any other special circumstances.
La Serna’s Outdoor Environmental Education Center
We are very fortunate to have a greenhouse and garden on campus to use for hands-on, project-based
learning activities in this class. One to two days each week will be spent working on projects and activities
at the OEEC. Students need to be prepared accordingly.
Service Learning
Service learning is an activity that connects classroom curriculum with service projects. Service learning
allows students the opportunity so serve the community while building social, civic, and academic skills. At
least one project per semester is required. The work that students do to fulfill this requirement will count
towards the outdoors component of their grade. More details will be provided in class and online.
Stay Informed
 Remind 101 Text Group
Students and parents can receive daily text updates about homework assignments, projects, labs,
quizzes, and tests by texting @padgettAP to (240) 493-8525 to join the class group. As part of the
group, students will receive reminder texts from the teacher but will be unable to respond.
 LSHS’s Environmental Science website: www.lshses.weebly.com
Updated regularly with daily agendas, homework assignments, warm-up questions, projects,
reminders, and links. Please keep in mind that this site is very early in its development and will be
added to throughout the school year.
Mr. Padgett’s classroom supplies wish list
The following supplies will be very helpful in class. With limited funds, any donations would be much
appreciated.
Tissue
Zip-loc bags
Colored printer paper
Aluminum foil
Latex gloves
Disinfecting wipes
Student scissors
Hand sanitizer
Markers
Gift cards to most major box stores: Home Depot, Target, Walmart, or grocery stores.
Glue sticks
Pens/Pencils
Gardening gloves
La Serna High School Tardy Policy
It is imperative that you be on time to class. Valid excuses for tardies are necessary. If tardiness becomes a
chronic routine, the following consequences will be used:
Tardy consequences:
1st tardy – verbal warning
3rd tardy – detention assigned & parent contact regarding tardy problem
5th tardy – parent / teacher conference required
1st tardy after parent conference - YOU WILL BE DROPPED from the course.
Classroom Norms & Expectations
1. Always be respectful and courteous to every person in the classroom at all times.
2. Arrive to class ON TIME with ALL your materials.
 The school-wide tardy policy will be strictly enforced.
3. Please refrain from talking while Mr. Padgett is teaching.
4. Cell phones are to be used only for academic purposes and only with permission.
5. Please ask for permission before getting out of your seat for any reason.
6. Please do not eat or drink in the classroom.
7. Do your own work. No copying another student’s work EVER!
Detach and return this sheet to Mr. Padgett by Friday,
August 15th for 5 points extra credit.
*
Student Name:_______________________________________________ Period: ___________
* I have read all of the attached information, I clearly understand Mr. Padgett’s classroom
policies and what is expected of my child, and I will see to it that he or she completes all
assignments on time.
Parent signature: ________________________________________________________________
Print name:____________________________________________________________________
Please feel free to contact the teacher if there are any questions regarding the aforementioned material
Contact information:
Home Phone: (
)_______________________ Email:______________________________
* I have read all of the attached information, I clearly understand what is expected of me, and I
agree to abide by the classroom policies and procedures.
Student signature: _______________________________________________________________