Westwood/Marine and Oceanographic Academy
Course Syllabus: AP Environmental Science
2013-2014
Instructor: Mrs. DeBlois
Textbook: Living in the Environment by G. Tyler Miller Jr. (Pacific Grove, Calif.: Brooks/Cole
Thomson Learning).
Course Description and Philosophy:
A course in AP Environmental Science is more than the infusion of facts about living organisms and
how they interact with their environment; it is learning to apply the critical thinking skills and
principals of environmental science as a way of solving problems and answering questions facing our
society, our environment and World today. AP Environmental Science is designed to be the
equivalent to a two-semester college introductory science course. By taking college level classes
while you are still in high school you increase your chances of knowing and fulfilling the
expectations of college courses. But more importantly, incorporating the major themes of AP
Environmental Science learned throughout the year, you develop a respect for life, the environment
and the interaction between them. You develop a list of principles, concepts and rules to be used as
guidelines when making decisions. The AP Exam may earn you college credit for your effort, but the
year long study of AP Environmental Science encourages you evaluate, rethink and become
informed citizens and active members on environmental issues facing our society.
The course is taught in a lecture/discussion and laboratory format. Students are expected to discuss
and expand on the material being presented. Attendance is very important. The discussion takes the
form of clarification and contributions the students have to the subject. Most of the assignments in
this course involve reading the material in the text and answering questions from the student guide
prior to the discussion in class. Best understanding of the material will only occur when the student
has read the material and then discussed it in class.
In order to learn environmental science and enjoy it as a science, a student needs to engage in the
processes of science, therefore has a substantial lab component. As the outline displays, laboratories
are an integral part of AP Environmental Science and it occupies 30-45% of the class time. At least
one day per week is dedicated to laboratory activities. Students must be prepared to work
outdoors. Some laboratories may require time after school and to sites off campus. Advance notice
will be given to the students when labs that require additional time after school will be conducted.
Field trips to Fairchild’s Tropical Garden and Herbarium, Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park and Harbor
Branch Oceanographic Center will be organized during the year. All students are required to perform
or participate in one of the following: Science Fair.
Evaluation
Tests are given throughout the year. These tests consist of multiple-choice questions and free
response questions. The Multiple-choice questions will be worth 60% and the free response 40% of
each test. This format is similar to that followed by the AP Exam. All essays are graded in the same
style, as are the AP Exam essays.
Each student will “adopt” An Endangered Species as their first semester project. The students will
conduct research and create a PowerPoint presentation on that endangered species.
Included in this report each will evaluate a habitat the organism currently exists in, evaluate the
anthropogenic factors which are affecting this species and design a species recovery plan that
demonstrates the student’s understanding of concepts learned in the class.
Quizzes and Assignments. Worksheets, assignments, and quizzes are given frequently each quarter.
These are given on a regular basis and at the end of most discussion sessions. They cover the material
discussed on the previous day or material that was specifically designated to be read prior to that
class period.
Laboratory Reports. Students are expected to complete all lab work and be ready to discuss the
material on the day following the completion of the lab. Each lab will be graded and discussed.
AP Environmental Science Journal and Notebook Students are expected to maintain a notebook and
lab book. At the end of the quarter it s graded on a 100 point scale and is worth one test score.
Grading Breakdown
Tests and AP journal/ notebook = 60% of grade
Quizzes, Assignments, Lab write-ups = 40%
A= 90-100%, B= 80-89%, C= 70-79%, D= 60-69%
AP Environmental Science Outline
1st Semester
(Labs and field trips listed are tentative only and are subject to change)
Introduction to Humans and Nature and Environmental Problems
Environmental Problems and Causes
History of Resource Use and Conservation
Science, Systems, Matter and Energy
Video The Lorax, Sharkwater, End of the Line
Science Project Introduction
Metric measurement Labs
pH laboratory
Test 1, (30 m-c questions, 1 short response question) similar to AP Test
Evolution, Biodiversity, Climate and TerrestialEcosystems
Ecosystems and How They Work
Evolution and Biodiversity
Climate and Terrestrial Biodiversity
Energy of a Peanut vs. a Marshmallow Lab
Quadrant Lab
Plant Transpiration Lab
Test 2, (30 m-c questions, 1 short response)
Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Aquatic Biodiversity
Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity
Field trip to Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park transect
NOAA weather Buoy Labs
Animal Habitat Preference Lab
Test 3, (30 m-c questions, 1 short response)
Community and Population Ecology
Community Ecology
Population Ecology
Animal Habitat Preference Lab
Capture-recapture Lab
Test 4, (30 m-c questions, 1 short response)
Human Population Ecology
Chapter 10 Human population
Human Demographics Lab
Test 5, (30 m-c questions, 1 essay)
Sustaining Biodiversity
sustaining terrestrial biodiversity
sustaining Biodiversity, the species approach
Endangered Species project
Field Trip to Fairchild’s Tropical Garden
Test 6, (30 m-c questions, 1 essay)
2nd Semester
Energy and Mineral Resources
Ch 16 Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources
Ch 17 Nonrenewable Energy
Ch 18 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency Home Audit Lab
Test 7 (30 m-c questions, 1 essay)
Water Resources and Pollution
Ch 15 Water Resources
Ch 22 Water Pollution
Dissolved Oxygen lab
Tap water tour
Test 8, (30 m-c questions, 1 essay)
Air Pollution, Climate Change and Ozone loss
Ch 20 Air Pollution
Ch 21 Climate Change and Ozone Loss
Test 9, (30 m-c questions, 1 essay)
Risk, Toxicology, Solid and Hazardous Wastes
Toxicology and Human Health
Solid and Hazardous Wastes
Field Trip to Landfill and quadrant Lab
Test 10, (30 m-c questions, 1 essay)
Food Resources and Pesticides
Food and Soil Resources
Pest Management
Soil composition Lab
Test 11, (30 m-c questions, 1 essay)
Environment and Society
Sustainable Cities
Economics and the Environment
Politics and the Environment
Environmental Sustainability
Test 12, (30 m-c questions, 1 essay)
Overall Review and Preparation for AP Exam!
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Laboratory objectives
Microscope Lab 1= Students will examine, draw and identify microscopic organisms from the local
pond.
pH Lab = Students will predict then measure the pH of various common substances.
Quadrant Sampling Lab= Students will use quadrant sampling techniques to collect, identify and
compare the vegetation differences between the North and south side of the school buildings.
NOAA Weather Buoy data Lab = Students will collect and record for 30 days the weather conditions
of NOAA’s oceanic weather buoys
Animal Habitat Preference Lab = Students will observe animal behavior and their responses to
different environmental conditions in different choice chambers.
Dissolved Oxygen and primary productivity= Students will measure the dissolved oxygen and
determine primary productivity of “Eagle Lake”.
Tree ring lab= Students will core and analyze sand pine trees of the local to determine age and
yearly rainfall data.
Human Demographics Lab= Students will collect human demographic data from cemetery’s and
students will compare data and determine human demographic trends
Acid Rain and Seed Germination Lab= Student will design and experiment which will determine
the rates of germinations of seeds in different pH conditions
Personal Energy Budget Lab= Students will use data obtained from Florida Power and Light on the
energy usage in their homes.
Soil Composition Lab= Students will determine the Sand Silt and Clay composition of various local
soils.
Sand Composition Lab= Students will determine the Calcium Carbonate/ Quartz content of Florida
Beach Sands from different locations
Alternative Energy Labs= students will work with wind, solar, and other methods of alternative
energy in multiple projects.
Field Trip to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute = various lectures and lab/field experiences.
Field trip to IRC West Wastewater treatment and Conservation Area. = students will observe the
various chemical and physical processes that occur in waste water treatment and tour the
conservation wetland.
Field Trip to the St Lucie International Airport = students will meet with EAA members who will
present information on aviation history and current studies of alternative energies.
Field Trip to the Indrio Savanahs Park = students will observe the adaptations and structures of
plants and view and search for evidence of animals
Other field trips and speakers will be added to the program as they become available.