Environmental Science Curriculum Map
This course has been designed as a hybrid class between research based project learning
assignments, lectures, hands on labs, and curriculum enriched environmental science
documentaries that enforces concepts within each topic.
1)
% of total
grade
20%
20%
20%
40%
Topic
Assignments
Labs
(20 labs total
for year)
Documentaries
(Rating)
Assessment
Intro to
Environmen
tal Science
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2)
Taxonomy
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3)
Flora
Biodiversity
Trees & Plants
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4)
Fauna
Biodiversity
Mammals
Primates
Reptiles
Amphibians
Birds
Fish/marine life
Insects
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complemented with
analysis questions
or reflection papers
Introduction PowerPoint
notes
The Simpsons Scientific
experiments worksheets
Project 1: locate and
interpret an
environmental science
research paper (identify
type, IV, DV, hypothesis,
and write overall
summary
Create questions to ask
marine researcher
during skyping session
Taxonomy Notes
Science Latin Roots
worksheet
Project 2: Taxonomy
posters with Latin
names(1 organism per
phylum include pic and
scientific name)
#1
experimental
lab
Discovery
education: The
making of Life
(G)
#2
Classification
lab
Earth Focus (G)
Flora biodiversity notes
Tree identification notes
Plant physiology notes
Plant toxins notes
Leaf characteristic
notes
Using a dichotomous key
worksheet (norms)
Project 3: Leaf books (
10 leaves, Latin names,
Common names, 3 facts)
Project 4: create a
model (painting, model,
sketch, own photo) of an
invasive plant in
Allegany
#3Tree Id Lab
What plants talk
about (PG)
Mammal PowerPoint
notes
Animal tracks worksheet
Reptiles PowerPoint
notes
Invasive species
PowerPoint notes
Student handout alien
impacts
Project 5: create a
glogster on an invasive
species
#6 Track ID
lab
Ocean
mysteries with
Jeff Corwin(G)
Reflection
paper from
skyping with
marine
biology
researcher
Analyze a field
experiment
#4 flower
dissection lab
Classification
written exam
(Students will be
given organism
and they would
have to ID them to
the correct
phylum)
The Happening
®
Flora
Identification
EXAM
#5 Paper
making lab
Cane Toad
Documentary
(PG)
Gator Boys (G)
#7 owl pellet
dissection
Lab
Fly Away home
(PG)
Fauna written
Exam
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Amphibians PowerPoint
notes
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Birds of prey PowerPoint
notes
Quest Speaker: wildlife
rehabilitator
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Project 6: Bird clay
models with 1 page
report
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Fish/marine life
PowerPoint
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Shark PowerPoint Notes
5)
Ecology
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6)
Loss of
Biodiversity
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7)
Conservatio
n
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8)
Careers in
Environmen
tal Science
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Ecology PowerPoint
notes
Project 7: shark public
service announcement
Practice ecology
questions on castle
learning
Project 8 Ecology food
web for different biomes
Loss of Biodiversity
PowerPoint notes
Project 9: in a small
group read the story of
the Lorax: illustrate a
before, during, and after
drawing. Pick 1 quote
and exaplin its
importance
Project 10: Read &
highlight the article
Easters Island and
answer analysis
questions on Moodle !!!
Conservation
PowerPoint notes
Hunting & conservation
PowerPoint notes
Project 10: Students will
read the article the
hunter and write their
own ending to the story
Project 11 Kendel jones
debate
Careers in
Environmental Science
PowerPoint
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Myths or science facts
PowerPoint notes
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Project 12: prepare
questions for quest
speaker and answer
them during class
Quest Speaker: DEC officer
Quest Speaker: landscaper
Quest Speaker: Crop manager
Quest Speaker: Taxidermist
Quest Speaker: waste
management
Quest speaker: forestry
management
Wildlife Prezi
Research
project
~ (Latin name,
Common name,
facts, diet,
digestive system,
reproductive
system, habitat,
signs, level of
threat
~video Clip
~ Research case
study analyzed
#8 Shark key
lab
#9
Biodiversity
Study Lab
#10 Mercury
Bioaccumulati
on Lab
Sharkwater
(PG)
Ecology
Exam: Multiple
choice and
short
response
Mission Blue
(PG)
The Lorax (PG)
#11 acid rain
and seeds lab
Mysteries of
Easter Island
(PG)
#12 ocean life
and oil spills
lab
Gorillas in the
Mist (PG-13)
Compare &
contrast
Essay of the
Lorax and
Easter Island
Conservation
group skits
Example
https://www.y
outube.com/w
atch?v=dovIndGmyM
#13
Toxicology lab
Alaskan State
Troopers
(Mature)
Finding Big Foot
(NR)
Individual
Presentation
or Brochure of
job/career in
environmental
science
(job description,
schooling, salary,
benefits,
locations of jobs,
danger in the
workforce,
include video clip
of an interview
from online)
9)
Aquaponics
(water, soil,
plants,
nutrient
cycles)
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Aquaponics PowerPoint
Notes
Nutrient Cycle
PowerPoint Notes
Water pollution
PowerPoint notes
Project 13: Chapter
Presentations for the
Book Into the wild by Jon
Krakauer
10) Human
Population
Growth &
sustainable
farming
11) Embryology
& Animal
evolution
12) Parasites,
& Animal
behavior
13) Fish Study
&
Envirothon
scenario
final
Field trip to Portville to Sprague’s
maple farm and visit to CubaRushford’s outdoor wildlife center
(fishery and deer farm)
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Human population
growth PowerPoint
notes
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Project 14: Human
growth population
graphs
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Into the wild
presentations
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Embryology PowerPoint
notes
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Project 15:Incubate
Chicken eggs from
Boces
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Candling quiz
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Egg development
worksheets
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Animal Evolution and
the Environment
PowerPoint notes
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Parasite PowerPoint
Notes
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Project 16: Wanted
parasite posters
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Animal Behavior
PowerPoint notes
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Fish Study Notes
Work on final exam
#14 pond
water lab
Unacceptable
levels (NR)
# 15 ph
drinking water
lab
Chapter
Presentations
for the book
into the Wild
~Summary
~2 Quotes w
analysis
~ Connection/
application
~ Activity
~final thoughts
#16
aquaponics
lab
#17
Solar oven
lab
Food Inc (PG)
GMO Poster
#18 chicken
egg
dissection
Lab
Jurassic World
(PG-13)
Jurassic
world analysis
reflection
paper
#19 Beta fish
behavior lab
The Grizzly Man
(R)
Parasite and
animal
behavior
Written exam
#20 Fish
biodiversity
lab
Into the Wild
(R)
Final Exam !
Day after
tomorrow ( PG13)
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3 ring binder w notebook
Colored pencils
A ready set mind!!!
Flash drive or access to H drive
Outdoor apparel- outside work
Prep period 2: 8:31-9:14
ALCS HS: (716) 375-6600 ext. 2248
tlathrop@alcsny.org
Parent- Student-Teacher Contract:
Please review the above syllabus, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact
me directly. Please Sign below acknowledging that you have read the syllabus and fully
understand the course expectations
_________________________________ Date:___________________________________
Signature of Parent
_________________________________ Date:___________________________________
Signature of student
Also note that some of the documentaries listed in the curriculum map have various ratings
and require a parent permission slip. Please sign the permission slip below for consent.
MOVIE PERMISSION SLIP
I have reviewed the listed documentaries in the curriculum map and I give
permission for my child _____________________________________ to
watch any and all documentaries shown in Environmental science class for
educational purposes.
_________________________________Date:_______________________
Signature of Parent
Please return only the signed permission slip.