AP Environmental Science
Text
Living in the Environment by G. Tyler Miller, Jr. 15th edition, 2007, Brooks / Cole
Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-0-495-01598-7
Other Resources
In addition to the textbook, students will be utilizing lab manuals, periodicals,
reading/case studies and the Internet.
Course Description
The AP Environmental Science course is a full-year course designed to be the equivalent
of a one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science. The course
covers a wide variety of science topics including biology, chemistry, physics, geology,
geography and ecology. The AP Environmental Science course has been developed to be
like a rigorous science course that stresses specific principles and analysis that includes a
laboratory component; as such, it is intended to enable students to undertake, as a first
year college student, a more advanced study of topics in environmental science or ,
alternatively, to fulfill a basic requirement for a laboratory science and thus free time for
taking other courses. In both breadth and level of detail, the content of the course reflects
what is found in many introductory college courses in environmental science. The goal
of the course is to provide students with 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, to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or
preventing them, and to develop and focus their own political perspective.
Overview
Classes are run in block scheduling with 90 minute periods on alternating days. Students
are evaluated through their lab notebook as well as textbook reading quizzes every class
(see reading schedule), activities (chapter outlines they fill in as they read), projects and
exams.
All AP Environmental Science labs are discovery and Inquiry based. The scientific
principles and disciplines are an integral part of the course. Students are encouraged
throughout the course to consider the scientific principles and disciplines when
completing activities and laboratories and/or fieldwork. Laboratory work is done within
the classroom as well as outside on school grounds and in the open high desert biome in
which we are located. Field trips to a local wetland, the Truckee River, cemetery,
geothermal energy plant and arboretum are also part of the Environmental Science
laboratory component. This component allows them to integrate the scientific principle
and disciplines with the use of the scientific method for data analysis and making
predictions. Students are expected to maintain a laboratory notebook throughout the
duration of the course
C-11 The course includes a
laboratory and/or field
investigation component.
1
Unit 1
Chapter 1 Environmental Problems,
Causes & Sustainability
Readings
Pg. 6-16 Quiz
Pg. 16-26 Quiz
Topics:
A. Sustainability, Stewardship & Sound Science
B. General Chemistry Review, Matter and
Energy Flow and Cycling
C. The Nature of Ecology, Dynamics, Food
Chains and Webs
Chapter 2 Science Systems, Matter and
Energy
Activities:
Readings
Pg. 28-38 Quiz
Pg. 39-48 Quiz
Chapter 1 Outline
Chapter 2 Outline
Chapter 3 Outline
Chapter 3 Ecosystems: What Are They
and How Do They Work?
Labs:[C-11]
Readings
Pg. 50-60 Quiz
Pg. 60-70 Quiz
Pg. 70-80 Quiz
Tragedy of the Commons: Students “fish” for
goldfish crackers as part of a community and
must understand the rules of a “Commons” area
if they are to survive. [1/2 block]
C-2: The course provides instruction in The
Living World.
Solar Insulation and Heat Transfer in the Earth.:
Students map angle of incidence to determine
the change in seasons and heat different
mediums to understand thermal mass. [1 block]
C-8: The course provides students with the
scientific principles, concepts and
methodologies required to understand the
interrelationships of the natural world.
Understanding the Difference between Gross
Primary Productivity and Net Primary
Productivity. [1 block]
Videos:
The Lorax
3 Weeks Total
Gaia Hypothesis
The Story of Stuff: Stuff
2
Unit 2
Topics:
A. Macro and Microevolution, Adaptation,
Natural Selection, Speciation and Extinction
Chapter 4 Evolution and Biodiversity
B. Genetic Engineering and Modification
Readings
Pg. 82-91 Quiz
Pg. 91-98 Quiz
C. Biotic & Abiotic Factors, Biomes, Ocean and
Air Currents
Chapter 5 Climate and Terrestrial
Biodiversity
Activities:
Readings
Pg. 100-112 Quiz
Pg. 112-124 Quiz
Chapter 4 Outline
Chapter 5 Outline
Chapter 6 Outline
Chapter 6 Aquatic Biodiversity
Labs:[C-11]
Readings
Pg. 126-135 Quiz
Pg. 136-142 Quiz
Climatograms: Student build a series of
climatograms and determine which biome is
represented by each. [1/1 block]
C-1: The course provides instruction in Earth
Systems and Resources.
Ecological Footprint: Internet activity that
allows students to measure carrying capacity,
natural capital and their personal ecological
footprint. [ongoing]
4 Weeks Total
Modeling Evolution: Students use dice to
determine the fate of their organism and how
they are or are not selected through random
environmental changes. [1 block]
Videos:
Blue Planet: Coral Reefs
PBS-Evolution
3
Topics:
Unit 3
A. Community Structure, Species Diversity and
Symbiotic Relationships.
Chapter 7 Community Ecology
Readings
Pg. 144-152 Quiz
Pg. 152-160 Quiz
B. The Importance of Biodiversity, Managing,
Protecting and Sustaining Terrestrial and Aquatic
Biomes
C. HIPPO
Chapter 10 Biodiversity:
Ecosystem Approach
Readings
Pg. 191-199 Quiz
Pg. 199-210 Quiz
Pg. 210-220 Quiz
Activities:
Chapter 7 Outline
Chapter 10 Outline
Chapter 11 Outline
Chapter 12 Outline
Chapter 11 Biodiversity: Species
Approach
Labs:[C-11]
Readings
Pg. 223-236 Quiz
Pg. 237-246 Quiz
Biodiversity Index: Shannon-Weiner /Simpson
Index Students determine the biodiversity of cars
in the school parking lot using 2 methods.
[1 block]
Chapter 12 Sustaining Aquatic
Biodiversity
Readings
Pg. 250-261 Quiz
Pg. 261-268 Quiz
Predator-Prey Simulation: Students graph
population changes between a predator and its
prey. [1/2 block]
Videos:
The Cove
C-2: The course provides instruction in
The Living World.
C-9: The course includes methods for
analyzing and interpreting information
and experimental data, including
mathematical calculations.
4 Weeks Total
4
Unit 4
Chapter 8 Population Ecology
Readings
Pg.161-165 Quiz
Pg. 165—170 Quiz
Chapter 9 Human Population
Readings
Pg. 171-182 Quiz
Pg. 182-190 Quiz
C-3: The course provides instruction in
populations.
C-9: The course includes methods for
analyzing and interpreting information
and experimental data, including
mathematical calculations.
3 Weeks Total
Topics:
A. Population Dynamics, Carrying Capacity and
Reproductive Patterns
B. Human population Growth History, Age
Structure
C. Environmental Impacts: Population Numbers v.
Affluence
Activities:
Chapter 8 Outline
Chapter 9 Outline
Human Population Packet (Population Pyramids,
Doubling Time, % increase, Survivorship Curves,
internet component)
Labs:[C-11]
Lincoln-Peterson Index –Capture Release
methodology using beans. [1 block]
Cemetery Demography – learning to use real life
data to construct survivorship curves. Students visit
the local cemetery to collect data.
[ field work + 1 block]
Videos:
World In Balance: Part 1 The People Paradox
5
Topics:
Unit 5
Chapter 13 : Food, Soil
Conservation and Pest
management
Readings
Pg. 270-277 Quiz
Pg. 278-286 Quiz
Pg. 286-303 Quiz
Chapter 14: Water
Readings
Pg. 305-316 Quiz
Pg. 316-332 Quiz
Chapter 21: Water Pollution
Readings
Pg. 493-503 Quiz
Pg. 504-517 Quiz
C-4: The course provides instruction in
Land and Water use.
C-6: The course provides instruction in
pollution.
4 Weeks Total
A. Soil Structure, Food Production, Erosion,
Desertification, Salinization and Sustainable
Farming.
B. Water Resources, Use , Misuse and Overuse,
Maintaining Freshwater Supplies.
C. Water Pollution: Sources, Types, Effects and
Reduction.
Activities:
Chapter 13 outline
Chapter 14 outline
Chapter 21 outline
Soil and Water Percolation Activity / Demo
Labs:[C-11]
Soil Composition: Analysis by Hydrometer, the
Bouyoucos Method and Chemical Analysis.
[1 block]
BOD (biological oxygen demand) and
Eutrophication Students examine the effects of
fertilizer in an aquatic ecosystem.
[ 1 block]
Water Quality Analysis of Swan Lake and
Truckee river
[field work + ongoing]
Sewage Treatment Design: Students research how
water treatment facilities work and create their
own miniature water treatment facility.
[ field trip + ongoing]
Videos:
Food Inc
The Story of Stuff: Bottled Water
Gimme Green
Earth Revealed: Wind Dust and Deserts
6
Earth Revealed: Groundwater
7
Unit 6
Topics:
A. Types and Sources of Hazardous Waste
Chapter 22: Solid, Hazardous Waste
B. Waste Management and Recycling
Readings
Pg: 519-533 Quiz
Pg. 533-545 Quiz
Chapter 18 Environmental Hazards,
Human Health
Readings:
418-428 Quiz
429-438 Quiz
C-6: The course provides instruction in pollution.
C-10: The course teaches the students how to identify
and analyze environmental problems, to evaluate the
ecological and human health risks associated with
these problems.
3 Weeks Total
C. Epidemiology, Toxicology and Risk
Analysis
Activities:
Chapter 22 outline
Chapter 18 outline
Labs: [C-11]
Personal Solid Waste Collection: Students
collect and analyze their own garbage
(packaging) over a 48 hr period.
[ 1 block]
Toxicology- Testing LD50: Students test
several solutions to determine the lethal
dose of 50 percent for Brine Shrimp.
[ 1 block]
Videos:
Garbage Warrior
Trashed
The Story of Stuff: Electronics
8
Unit 7
Topics:
A. Outdoor and Indoor Air Pollution, Acid Deposition
Chapter 19 Air Pollution
B. Causes and Solutions of Global Climate Change
Readings:
Pg. 439-452 Quiz
Pg. 452-463 Quiz
Activities:
Chapter 20 Climate Change, Ozone
Depletion
Chapter 19 outline
Chapter 20 outline
Readings:
Pg. 464-471 Quiz
Pg. 471-479 Quiz
Pg. 479-491 Quiz
Labs:[C-11]
C-1: The course provides instruction in
Earth Systems and Resources.
C-6: The course provides instruction in
pollution.
C-7: The course provides instruction in
Global Change.
Cars, CO2 and You: Students will calculation gas
consumption and CO2 for several types of vehicles.
[ 1 block]
Ground Level Ozone Testing Students prepare their
own Schoenbein paper to test Ozone levels at different
locations.
[1 ½ blocks.prep/test/analysis]
Videos:
Race to Save the Planet:: Do We Really Want to Live
This Way?
An Inconvenient Truth
Carbon Nation
The Story of Stuff: Cap and Trade
3 Weeks Total
9
Topics:
Unit 8
Chapter 15 Mining
Readings
Pg. 334-344 Quiz
Pg. 345-354 Quiz
Chapter 16 Nonrenewable Energy
Readings
Pg. 355-365 Quiz
Pg. 365-371 Quiz
Pg. 371-382 Quiz
Chapter 17 Renewable Energy
Readings
Pg. 384-394 Quiz
Pg. 394-403 Quiz
Pg. 403-414 Quiz
C-1: The course provides instruction in Earth
Systems and Resources.
C-5: The course provides instruction in Energy
Resources and Consumption.
4 Weeks Total
A. Earth’s Geological Cycles, Plate Tectonics and
Minerals
B. Types of Nonrenewable Energy and their
Environmental Effects
C. Energy Efficiency and Forms of Renewable
Energy.
Activities:
Chapter 15 Outline
Chapter 16 Outline
Chapter 17 Outline
Labs:[C-11]
Cookie Mining: provides and introduction to the
economics of mining, using three types of chocolate
chip cookies.
[ ½ block]
Biodiesel Lab: Students convert used cooking oil
into a useable form of Biodiesel.
[2 blocks]
Alternative Energy Build: Students construct varying
forms of mechanics to capture natural energy and
convert it into electrical power.
[field trip +ongoing]
Videos:
Who Killed The Electric Car?
Gasland
10
Topics:
Unit 9
A. Urbanization and Suburban Sprawl
B. Urban Land-Use Planning and Control
Chapter 23 Sustainable Cities
C. Jobs, Poverty and the Environment
Readings
Pg. 548-558 Quiz
Pg. 558-568 Quiz
Chapter 24 Economics, Environment
and Sustainability
Readings
Pg. 569-580 Quiz
Pg. 581-590 Quiz
C-7: The course provides instruction in
Global Change.
Activities:
Chapter 23 Outline
Chapter 24 Outline
Labs:[C-11]
Solar Water Heater Design and Construction: Students
design and construct their own solar water heater
using passive solar energy.
[Ongoing]
2 Weeks Total
Tree Volume: Students build their own clinometers to
determine the volume and number of board feet in
several trees and determine how many trees of that
certain size it take to build a 2,000 square foot home.
[field trip +1 block]
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13
14
15
16
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