AP Environmental Science

AP Env Science 1

2010-2011

Course Description

AP Environmental Science 1 year – 1 credit Prerequisite(s): Lab Science 1& 2 The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the 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, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them. (College Board, Advance Placement Program) Key topics stressed during the class of the following:

1. Environmental Problems and Causes 2. Matter and energy flows 3. Earth systems and resources (air, water, soil) 4. Ecosystem structure, function, development, and dynamics 5. Human use of and impacts to ecosystems/resources 6. Sustainable energy considerations

In addition to the core content, students will be performing investigations and laboratory activities that classify as “practical work.” The use of curriculum-driven technology and student-designed experimentation is emphasized during this course. Student Project: Students will be involved in one ongoing activity throughout the school year. Environmental science has a vast array of fields in which further study is possible. Students are to select a project which involves authentic, independent & original research in an area of their selection within the environmental sciences. Their project is necessarily limited to the equipment and logistic constraints of SAS, but there is still a wide variety of potential areas of study still available to the student. Thought as to the topic of study should be given very early in the course. This may require reading ahead in our text as well as outside resources. Project Idea: Our campus is relatively new and little has been done to analyze the environmental foot print of the school. Students will pick an area of the campus to “develop”. This activity will require the students to first scientifically understand their area. They can then plan an “ecologically friendly” change or addition. Their culminating project would include the “science background” of the area, the effects of their changes to the area, and economic resources needed to accomplish their planned renovations, as well as a proposal plan. Note: The student project is to involve actual scientific research and investigation and is NOT to be a mere library or internet research project (although a literary search is a vital component to the project). The student is given the entire academic year in which to conduct the research for the project and is expected to conduct the research over this period. Periodic checks will be

2010-2011

AP Environmental Science

AP Env Science 2

made throughout the year as to the progress, preliminary findings and problems associated with the project. The student should be prepared to share these areas with the class. Each project will involve the following:

1. Initial research phase (observation, field & academic research)

2. Presentation/project defense (proposed project will be presented to the class for critique & peer review) (Due: September 1)

3. Revision (if necessary)

4. Project research and implementation

5. Project Paper & Presentation (Due: June 9, 2011)

Resources and Texts

The text used in this course is Environment: The Science Behind the Stories by Jay Withgott & Scott Brennan (2008). Other teaching resources and a variety of different teaching strategies will support the text.

Classroom expectations

In that this course is a college level class, students should realize that the pace and expectations for their performance will be high. Student routinely will be working and processing a great deal of information and will be expected to take charge of their learning and review. Students will be expected to wisely use their AP Flex Blocks for additional review and class time as available with the instructor.

Students are expected to be on time and prepared for class. Students absent from class run a risk of being ill-prepared for future lessons and should therefore try to avoid unnecessary class absences. Students absent during test days or lab days will be expected to see the instructor about making up missed work as soon as possible upon returning to school. Most often this is the day of the student return. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange a time for make-up lab work or testing.

Students are asked to exhibit respect in the science classroom. This entails respect for school, property, fellow classmates, and the instructor.

Do try and ask questions in class and be curious and take risks. Talk to the teacher before or after class if you have a question. Make an appointment if you need extra help. Clean up after every lab, be safe, respect other students by listening to their questions and answers, visit the restroom before class, and most importantly take the time during the crush of work to have fun and make life connections with the material. Assessment The grade for each quarter will be determined from your performance in homework, projects, connection portfolio, reports, tests and quizzes, class work and lab work.

Physics

AP Env Science 3

Grading Procedure The semester one and two grade will be determined using the following percentage breakdown:

Quarter 1 & 2: 80% Quarter 3 & 4: 80% Semester one exam: 20% Semester two exam: 20%

Each Semester grade will be developed as follows: Test Work (Tests, Quizzes, Major Projects) 70%

Daily Work (Assignments/lab work/homework) 30% • Note1: A Participation & Personal Skills Evaluation will be included in the Daily Work Category • Note2: Students will be required to maintain a detailed, clear, and concise lab notebook which they may be

required to present to their college or university

Tests will be administered 2 - 4 times per marking quarter and cover unit topics. Quizzes will be given more frequently (weekly) and are much shorter in length. Both of these assessments are tools for students to diagnose strengths and weaknesses as topics are addressed in class.

Homework will be assigned nearly every class and students are expected to work nightly on assignments and or review. The purpose of class homework is to reinforce what is learned in class. Some homework assignments will be graded and others will be just checked for completion. A completion rubric will be provided to students in class. Some assignments will be submitted for grading online using Turnitin.com and credit will be given to students completing the assignments on time. Practical lab reports and projects are assigned periodically corresponding to activities in class. These assignments will have their own scoring rubrics and deadlines clearly indicated. Submission of unexcused late work is discouraged and can incur penalties of up to 10% per day late up to a maximum of 30%.

Extra Credit

To achieve your learning goals you should always submit your best work. Special Extra credit assignments are not given but in some cases students may be allowed to improve the quality of an assessment. No rewrites will be given for tests, quizzes, or major projects.

Make-up work It is student’s responsibility to make up any work missed due to absence and to see the teacher or another student for any handouts. This should be done immediately upon returning to school. Do not wait until the class meets again to get assignments. Assignments that have not been completed after an absence when the student was in school the day before will be considered late. Students should inform the instructor if they know that they will miss a class and work with the instructor to complete missed material. I will be keeping a calendar of assignments and assessments on my teacher blog, and it is the responsibility of the student to check this site often from home or school for updates and changes. Final Note Students should know that the AP Env Sci exam does not permit the use of calculators. For this reason the general use of calculators in class and on tests and quizzes and most labs will not be permitted. While this is a hardship for all, including the instructor, it will be a rule that will be enforced.

2010-2011

AP Environmental Science

AP Env Science 4

Instructor contact information

Coke Smith High School Science Shanghai American School, Pudong Campus coke.smith@saschina.org