Advanced Placement Environmental Science Course Introduction and Summer Assignment

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1 Advanced Placement Environmental Science Course Introduction and Summer Assignment Welcome to college. Ensure you read this package thoroughly before summer break in case there are any questions. Ensure you download all applicable files from Mrs. Rothfuss website. Ensure that you pick up a hard copy scantron answer sheet. You may Dr. Zimmer or Mrs. Rothfuss with questions at Ithan.Zimmer@sbschools.org or Jane.Rothfuss@sbschools.org. Do not use these addresses for any purpose other than this course. Also, Dr. Zimmer will be unavailable, or at least difficult to reach, during much of the summer due to military commitments. Therefore, if you have questions or concerns, get them out of the way early. This packet and materials may be found on Mrs. Rothfuss website, This assignment counts toward your first marking period grade and must be word-processed (typed) neatness always counts. Figures or drawings need not be typed, but obviously must be hand-done clearly. The work is due on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 by 3:00 pm via to BOTH of the accounts above OR mail/hand-deliver a hard copy to the high school. For handdelivery or mailing use: Dr. Ithan Zimmer or Mrs. Jane Rothfuss C/O South Brunswick High School 750 Ridge Road Monmouth Junction, NJ Introduction: From The College Board: 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 or preventing them. Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. The prerequisites for this class are stated clearly in the South Brunswick Course of Studies Booklet. They include: a B or better in Biology I, Chemistry I, and Algebra II. You must have these prerequisites fulfilled. Time will not come from the class to re-teach the above courses. Students who do not have a strong and traditional background in the above subjects will have to work extra hard to keep up. You must have a basic understanding of physics including, but not limited to, concepts such as work, energy, power, and thermodynamics. This understanding of physics may be satisfied by completing either Physics I or Physical and Earth Science. Part of your summer assignment covers review of these subjects.

2 The course is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory college course. We will have a laboratory component in this course. The labs will not only develop your understanding of environmental science, but will prepare you for the AP Exam. AP science courses and exams focus on seven overarching practices that capture important aspects of the work of scientists. Science practices describe the knowledge and skills that students should learn and demonstrate to reach a goal or complete a learning activity. Science Practice 1 - The student can use representations and models to communicate scientific phenomena and solve scientific problems. Science Practice 2 - The student can use mathematics appropriately. Science Practice 3 - The student can engage in scientific questioning to extend thinking or to guide investigations within the context of the AP course. Science Practice 4 - The student can plan and implement data collection strategies in relation to a particular scientific question. (Note: Data can be collected from many different sources, e.g., investigations, scientific observations, the findings of others, historic reconstruction and/or archived data). Science Practice 5 - The student can perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence. Science Practice 6 - The student can work with scientific explanations and theories. Science Practice 7 - The student is able to connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts, and representations in and across domains. Understand that there are challenges to the student and to the instructor that are specific to environmental science. Specifically, 1. The course is interdisciplinary. 2. Subject terms and definitions are not standard. 3. There are few absolute answers. 4. It is difficult to understand the role of humans in environmental processes. Text: Environmental Science, Botkin and Keller, 7 th edition Additional references will be used throughout the year To be successful in this course, you must make a commitment to your teacher and to yourself. As you may know, the national Advanced Placement exam takes place in May 2016, which may qualify you for college credit or advanced college standing. Questions on this and classroom exams come not only from the environmental science text, but also from the biology, chemistry, and math courses that are prerequisites for this class. On the first day of school, you will receive your text. You must understand that there is never enough time during class to cover all of the topics for which you are responsible. You must put time into this course outside of class aside from standard homework. Concerning the environmental science text, you are required to read every section of every chapter, whether it is covered in class or not. You will be quizzed and tested on information not specifically covered during class time. 2

3 Grading: Grades are determined from tests, quizzes (announced or unannounced), labs, fieldwork, homework, and classwork. The final exam for the course will be on one of the final days of regular class before (or after) the school begins administering AP exams. The course final exam counts toward your fourth quarter grade. Other references used throughout the course will be tested along with the chapters or sections to which they pertain. Relevant environmental laws and persons of historical environmental significance will be studied throughout the year. Unannounced quizzes on the current topic may be given any time. Multiple labs require use of spreadsheets (e.g., Microsoft Excel) and word processing (e.g., Microsoft Word). Word processing is expected for homework as appropriate. You should become familiar with Excel and Word over the summer if you are not already. Outline of Topics: The following general outline is provided by The College Board and therefore defines the scope of both the AP course and the AP Exam. The order of the topics listed below has no special significance. It is provided to assist in your preparation for this course and for the exam. The percentages after the major topic headings are approximations only. They provide the approximate proportion of multiple-choice questions on the AP exam for that heading. The freeresponse questions (FRQs) on the AP Exam cover multiple topics per question. I. Earth Systems and Resources (10-15%) A. Earth Science Concepts (Geologic time scale; plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanism; seasons; solar intensity and latitude) B. The Atmosphere (Composition; structure; weather and climate; atmosphere circulation and the Coriolis Effect; atmosphere-ocean interactions; ENSO) C. Global Water Resources and Use (Freshwater/saltwater; ocean circulation; agricultural, industrial, and domestic use; surface and groundwater issues; global problems; conservation) D. Soil and Soil Dynamics (Rock cycle; formation; composition; physical and chemical properties; main soil types; erosion and other soil problems; soil conservation) II. The Living World (10-15%) A. Ecosystem Structure (Biological populations and communities; ecological niches; interactions among species; keystone species; species diversity and edge effects; major terrestrial and aquatic biomes) B. Energy Flow (Photosynthesis and cellular respiration; food webs and trophic levels; ecological pyramids) C. Ecosystem Diversity (Biodiversity; natural selection; evolution; ecosystem services) D. Natural Ecosystem Change 3

4 (Climate shifts; species movement; ecological succession) E. Natural Biogeochemical Cycles (Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, water, conservation of matter) III. Population (10-15%) A. Population Biology Concepts (Population ecology; carrying capacity; reproductive strategies; survivorship) B. Human Population 1. Human population dynamics (Historical population sizes; distribution; fertility rates; growth rates and doubling times; demographic transition; age-structure diagrams) 2. Population size (Strategies for sustainability; case studies; national policies) 3. Impacts of population growth (Hunger; disease; economic effects; resource use; habitat destruction) IV. Land and Water Use (10-15%) A. Agriculture 1. Feeding a growing population (Human nutritional requirements; types of agriculture; Green Revolution; genetic engineering and crop production; deforestation; irrigation; sustainable agriculture) 2. Controlling pests (Types of pesticides; costs and benefits of pesticide use; integrated pest management; relevant laws) B. Forestry (Tree plantations; old growth forests; forest fires; forest management; national forests) C. Rangelands (Overgrazing; deforestation; desertification; rangeland management; federal rangelands) D. Other land Use 1. Urban land development (Planned development; suburban sprawl; urbanization) 2. Transportation infrastructure (Federal highway system; canals and channels; roadless areas; ecosystem impacts) 3. Public and federal lands (Management; wilderness areas; national parks; wildlife refuges; forests; wetlands) 4. Land conservation options (Preservation; remediation; mitigation; restoration) 5. Sustainable land-use strategies E. Mining (Mineral formation; extraction; global reserves; relevant laws and treaties) F. Fishing (Fishing techniques; overfishing; aquaculture; relevant laws and treaties) G. Global Economics (Globalization; World Bank; Tragedy of the Commons; relevant laws and treaties) 4

5 V. Energy Resources and Consumption (10-15%) A. Energy Concepts (Energy forms; power; units; conversions; Laws of Thermodynamics) B. Energy Consumption 1. History (Industrial Revolution; exponential growth; energy crisis) 2. Present global energy use 3. Future energy needs C. Fossil Fuel Resources and Use (Formation of coal, oil, and natural gas; extraction/purification methods; world reserves and global demand; synfuels; environmental advantages/disadvantages of sources) D. Nuclear Energy (Nuclear fission process; nuclear fuel; electricity production; nuclear reactor types; environmental advantages/disadvantages; safety issues; radiation and human health; radioactive wastes; nuclear fusion) E. Hydroelectric Power (Dams; flood control; salmon; silting; other impacts) F. Energy Conservation (Energy efficiency; CAFE standards; hybrid electric vehicles; mass transit) G. Renewable Energy (Solar energy; solar electricity; hydrogen fuel cells; biomass; wind energy; smallscale hydroelectric; ocean waves and tidal energy; geothermal; environmental advantages/disadvantages) VI. Pollution (25-30%) A. Pollution Types 1. Air pollution (Sources primary and secondary; major air pollutants; measurement units; smog; acid deposition causes and effects; heat islands and temperature inversions; indoor air pollution; remediation and reduction strategies; Clean Air Act and other relevant laws) 2. Noise (Sources; effects; control measures) 3. Water pollution (Types; sources, causes, and effects; cultural eutrophication; groundwater pollution; maintaining water quality; water purification; sewage treatment/septic systems; Clean Water Act and other relevant laws) 4. Solid waste (Types; disposal; reduction) B. Impacts on the Environment and Human Health 1. Hazards to human health (Environmental risk analysis; acute and chronic effects; dose-response relationships; air pollutants; smoking and other risks) 2. Hazardous chemicals in the environment (Types of hazardous waste; treatment/disposal of hazardous waste; cleanup of contaminated sites; biomagnification; relevant laws) 5

6 C. Economic Impacts (Cost-benefit analysis; externalities; marginal costs; sustainability) VII. Global Change (10-15%) A. Stratospheric Ozone (Formation of stratospheric ozone; ultraviolet radiation; causes of ozone depletion; effects of ozone depletion; strategies for reducing ozone depletion; relevant laws and treaties) B. Global Warming (Greenhouse gases and the greenhouse effect; impacts and consequences of global warming; reducing climate change; relevant laws and treaties) C. Loss of Biodiversity 1. Habitat loss; overuse; pollution; introduced species; endangered and extinct species 2. Maintenance through conservation 3. Relevant laws and treaties 6

7 Summer Assignment For references, use a library, a bookstore, prerequisite course notes, or the Internet. However, be careful of your use of the Internet. Just because information is on a web page (or even in print), does not mean it is from a reliable source. Web pages belonging to official agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are acceptable. Personal web pages must be avoided. Web pages that are open to public input such as Wikipedia are suspect and must be avoided. The format for typing is double-spaced for an essay, single-spaced for answering questions, oneinch margins, 12-point pitch, and Times New Roman font. Your name at the top and a section/title will suffice as a heading. Each of the main parts must be answered on separate sheets of paper and presented in the order they are assigned noting problem numbers/letters. Neatness counts! In addition to answering the questions below, you are graded on your format and ability to provide the required information in order. If submitting electronically, you MUST use the following attachment file name format: LastName_FirstName_APES_Summer_PartorSection.pdf or.doc as needed. One file is preferred, but as this may not be practical, ensure you use the format for file naming as noted above for each file submitted. In the subject heading of the containing your summer assignment please write Last Name First Name APES Summer Assignment. PDF files are preferred and smaller file sizes are recommended. Be organized follow directions and formats!!! 1. For any seven weeks of the summer vacation (and it must be seven different weeks), read one article from of a newspaper, journal, or magazine that pertains to environmental science. For our purposes, it pertains to environmental science only if the subject can be put into one of the topics of the outline provided above. The article must be from a reputable source, such as a recognized newspaper or magazine/journal (e.g., Scientific American, The Star-Ledger, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, or a professional journal). Science-based websites are acceptable. For each of the seven articles, completely fill out the Current Event Article Worksheet attached at the end of this packet or found on Mrs. Rothfuss website: Print out/copy the worksheet so that you have a separate one for each article. For Topic Correlation, state what the article has to do with our course outline (type in the outline label such as III.B.1 for Human population dynamics for example). You must at least cite the Roman numeral and Capital Letter for the topic. In addition to the seven articles being from seven different weeks of the summer, each article must be from one of the seven Roman numeral topics in the outline of topics above. In other words, you may only have one article that pertains to Earth Systems and Resources, only one from The Living World, and so on. 2. Complete the 2015 Pre-APES Assessment found on the website above. It must be done using a #2 pencil on the scantron provided. You may use any reference to complete the exam such as a textbook or the Internet, but you may not work with another student. This counts as a separate quiz grade in Q1. 3. Read/study the first two chapters of the 7 th edition Botkin textbook. Both chapters may be found on the website above. Answer the following questions pertaining to the reading:

8 A. Chapter 1, Do P16 #1, 2, 5, 6, 7. B. There are generally four categories of justification for environmental values list and define the four main justifications. C. Define and briefly explain the Precautionary Principle. What problems may be encountered when applying it? D. Read the Critical Thinking Issue (CTI) on P35 and complete CTI questions #1-6. E. Chapter 2, Do P36 #1, 4, 6, Core Science & Applied Math Problem Review. Complete the following problems from prerequisite courses that provide base-knowledge for the study of environmental science. Ensure you are familiar with these concepts. If you did not cover these topics in your previous classes, you should get texts that do cover these topics and learn them over the summer. If you are not comfortable with this material, expect to have difficulty during the school year. Show all work. Ensure your work is clear, include equations, include appropriate units, and box in your final answers. Use g = 9.8 m/s 2. Be mindful of significant figures. A. You are coasting down a hill in a car that has a total mass of 1900 kg. The elevation of the hill is 61 m above the ground (bottom of the hill). Neglect any effects of friction. a. Calculate the potential energy in the system at the top of the hill. b. How much kinetic energy will you and the car have right at the bottom of the hill? Neglect air resistance. c. Calculate your speed at the bottom of the hill. d. Eventually you coast to a stop. What happened to all the energy you had? B. A crane uses a block and tackle to lift a 41 kn boulder to a height of 14 m. a. How much work is done on the boulder? Put your answer in scientific notation. b. If the work is done in 12 s, what is the power output in watts and in horsepower? C. The growth of a population may be described by the equation N=N 0 e kt where N is the population, N 0 is the initial population, k is the rate constant and t is time. If the annual growth rate of the population is 0.14 (i.e., 14%) per year and the initial population is 6.5x10 4 people, what will the population be after 20 years? D. A certain radioactive element decays according to N=N 0 e -kt where the variables are defined as above. If 50.0% of the original element sample remains after 7.0 days, what is the decay rate? E. Provide the formula to calculate ph. What does the ph give a relative measure of in a solution? What is the range of the ph scale? F. Balance the following chemical equations: a. SO 2 + O 2 SO 3 b. SO 3 + H 2 O H 2 SO 4 c. NO 2 + H 2 O + O 2 HNO 3 G. Complete the Basic Math Skills Review Problems below. a. What is one million times one thousand? Show your work in scientific notation. Give the answer in scientific notation and in words. b. A population of deer had 200 individuals. If the population grows by 15% in one year, how many deer will there be the next year? c. One year I had 50 APES students and the next year I had 60. By what percentage did the population of APES students grow? d. Electricity costs 6.0 cents per kilowatt hour (kwh). In one month one home uses one megawatt hour of electricity. How much will the bill be? 8

9 e. Your car gets 15 miles to the gallon and your friend s car gets 25 miles to the gallon. You decide to go on a road trip to M.I.T. which is 260 miles away. If gas costs $2.40 per gallon and you decide to split the gas money, how much money will you save in gas by driving your friend s car? f. Virginia Beach is 10 miles wide and 30 miles long. If one inch of rain falls on Virginia Beach, how many cubic feet of rain fell on the beach? Hint: first convert all units to feet. g. The combustion of one gallon of automobile fuel produces approximately 5 pounds of carbon (in CO 2 ). Two autos are making a trip of 600 miles. The first auto gets 20 miles per gallon, and the second gets 30 miles per gallon. Approximately how much less carbon (in CO 2 ) will be produced by the second auto on this trip? h. How many oranges are in a crate if the price of a crate of oranges is $1.60 and the price of oranges is $0.20 per pound and there are 3 oranges per pound? i. What is the cost of coal in dollars per ton if it costs $0.04 per kilogram? (1 ton = 1000 kg) j. To the nearest year, how many years old are you if you have lived 1.0 billion seconds? 5. Food webs are an important part of the study of ecosystems and ecosystem management. Visit an area for at least two hours. This area could be a park nearby your house, a place you are visiting on vacation, or your backyard. Note the exact location, date, time, and general weather. Identify all life seen in that time. Draw a food web, specifically noting all the trophic levels. 6. Ensure your name is on the front of your assignment. Additionally, on the last page of your assignment and on a separate page from the rest of the work, clearly list the following information in order: A. Your name and school . B. All other high school or college science courses completed. Include teacher s name and overall final grade you earned. Also list other science classes you have during C. What you plan to do after high school (it is understood this may change from day to day). D. Your hobbies (include school sports and activities). 7. OPTIONAL/SUGGESTED READING LIST. Reading literature that provides insight into a discipline will enrich your understanding of a subject and will help you make deeper connections to your textbook readings. To that end, you may choose one or more of the books listed below to enhance your learning experience in this AP class. The books are available on the Internet (quite cheaply), in bookstores, or may be checked out from a library. Gaia A New Look at Life on Earth by James Lovelock State of Fear by Michael Crichton A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold Walden by Henry David Thoreau The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert The Omnivore s Dilemma by Michael Pollan This Borrowed Earth by Robert Hernan *** You will have a test covering this summer assignment including prerequisite course review sometime during the first week we return. *** The quality and timeliness of this assignment will be the basis of the first impression you make. Follow directions closely No Excuses. Good luck. 9

10 AP Environmental Science Summer Assignment Current Event Article Worksheet Article Title: Date of Article: Author: Source: (you will hand in a hard copy of each article by the first day of class. Abstracts and internet link addresses are not acceptable.) Topic Correlation: Environmental Issue Presented in Article. (1) Provide a brief description of the issue, (2) where it is occurring (location and type of biome where the situation is occurring), (3) short and long term impacts on the ecosystem, and (4) cultural, economic, or political considerations of the issue or its resolution. 10