Environmental Science with Mr. McClain Syllabus:
This class has approximately 42 lessons and is designed to help students gain an understanding of the
world we live in and how the relationship between environment and humans continually evolves.
Every Day- Today in Science . . . writing prompt.
Unit 1- Exploring Science and the Environment: In this unit we will introduce environmental science
through a series of lessons that discuss; a living planet, a short history of life on earth, introducing
environmental challenges, how science works, science and society, and environmental issues in the
world.
Unit 2-The Dynamic Earth: In this unit we study a series of lessons that discuss; the earth forms, land
water, and air, cycles of life, climate and weather, the changing world, environmental issues in the
world.
Unit 3-How Living Things Interact: In this unit we will study a series of lessons that discuss; everything is
connected, components of an ecosystem, producers, consumers, decomposers, energy flows in
ecosystems, relationships within ecosystems, ecosystems and change.
Unit 4-The Diversity of Life: In this unit we will study a series of lessons that discuss; what is a
biodiversity?, measuring diversity, evolution and adaptation, a web of life, the benefits of biodiversity,
Unit 5-Biomes of the World: In this unit we will study a series of lessons that discuss; what is a biome?,
rain forest biome, deciduous and coniferous biomes, grassland biomes, tundra and desert biomes,
marine biomes, freshwater biomes.
Unit 6-People and the Environment and Energy: In this unit we will study a series of lessons that
discuss; growing population, population patters, consumption and environment, energy basics, fossil
fuels, nuclear energy, solar energy, energy from earth’s natural systems, energy for the future.
Unit 7- Water Resources, Water Pollution, Air Pollution, Solid and Hazardous Waste: In this unit we will
study a series of lessons that discuss; global water resources, using and managing water resources,
water pollution and treatment, protecting water resources, air pollution and living things, smog, heat,
noise, and light, acid rain, climate change, introducing solid waste, disposing of solid waste, hazardous
waste, controlling solid waste
Unit 8- Feeding the World: In this unit we will study a series of lessons that discuss; agriculture and the
environment, protecting soils, world food supply and nutrition, sustainable agriculture, fisheries.
Unit 9-Protecting Biodiversity and a Sustainable World: In this unit we will study a series of lessons that
discuss; major threats to biodiversity, disappearing habitat, introduced species, wildlife trade,
understanding sustainability, a sustainable global economy, sustainable communities, government,
science business, and citizens.