Mr. Whitaker
Ext 4773
Whitaker.m@deptford.k12.nj.us
Course Description - Environmental Sustainability is a relatively new and rapidly developing discipline that involves manipulating living organisms or parts of living organisms to create products useful to humans. Bioengineering is a sensitive and complicated type of engineering due to the moral and ethical decisions related to using living organisms. It is different from other traditional engineering disciplines, which primarily utilize non-living materials and processes.
In this course students will specifically look at how environmental and biological engineering of organisms can be used to provide environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions to ensure food security for a growing world population; provide affordable, renewable energy; and provide clean, safe drinking water
Course Outline - We will be studying the following units over the course of the academic year:
Unit 1 – Environmental Sustainability for a Better Tomorrow
Unit 2 – Insuring Safe and Abundant Water
Unit 3 – Food Security
Unit 4 – Renewable Fuels
Units typically begin with activities, are followed up with projects, and conclude with a design challenge that will expect students to utilize the skills and knowledge acquired up to that point.
There is also a significant amount of independent readings. Most work is done in small groups.
Grading of the Course - Assignments will be categorized into the one of three categories.
Tests/Major assignments/Projects 50%
Quizzes / Labs 30%
Homework/Classwork/Minilabs 20%
Letter grades will assigned using the following scale:
A = 90.5 – 100 B = 82.5 - 90.49 C = 73.5 - 82.49 D = 67.5 – 73.49 F = 0 – 67.49
Late Assignments – Late work will be accepted up to five days after it was due. Each day late will result in an additional 10% reduction. Incomplete late work will not be accepted. Not

handing in assignments will result in you being required to attend one of my Spartan Sessions at a minimum.
Absences – I understand that occasionally circumstances outside your control make it necessary for you to be absent from class. However, this does not excuse you from assignments. It is your responsibility to get missed work from either myself or a classmate.
This should not be done during class time. If an assignment is due on a day that you are absent, it should be handed in the next day you are in school in order to avoid being counted as late.
Textbook – There is no textbook. Students will be utilizing PLTW’s Learning Management
System (LMS) to access readings and assignments. Most assignments will be submitted electronically to the instructor through this site. Grades will be assigned in the LMS and then transferred to Genesis Parent Access by the instructor.
The following supplies will be needed for this class:
 1” or 1 ½“ three ring binder
 Loose leaf paper

Pencils/pens
 Highlighters

PLTW Engineering Notebook

1 box of nitrile or latex examination gloves
Please come to class prepared! I expect you to be on time and prepared to begin when the bell rings.
Spartan Schedule – Because all of my classes are lab classes I am only available for three
Spartan Blocks. They are:
Day 2 – Block 5a (Fourth Bell)
Day 2 – Block 5b (Fifth Bell)
Day 3 – Block 5a (Fourth Bell)
If you need help from me, you will need to coordinate with your other teachers, whom are available every day, in order to insure you are available for my periods.
Many of you have multiple lab classes. If you have one that meets on the same day as our lab meets, I will give you a four –five minute grace period after the bell rings before marking you tardy. If you are still struggling to get to my class on time, we can speak with your other teacher and resolve the problem.
All I ask is that you come to class prepared with a willingness to push yourself. This means that you make an effort to hand things in on time, respect each other, and stay organized. I commit to returning items to you in a timely manner, respecting you, and being available to help you when you need assistance.