AP Environmental Science Syllabus Tracy Sandefur Ohio County High School

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1 AP Environmental Science Syllabus Tracy Sandefur Ohio County High School Course Description and Over view The goal of this course is to provide student with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems and examine alternative solutions for resolving and /or preventing them. Environmental Science Curricular Requirements This course provides instruction in each of the following seven content areas outlined in the AP Course Description: Earth systems and resources, living world, population, land and water use, energy, pollution and global change. Labs All students who are enrolled AP Environmental Science must maintain an organized laboratory notebook, conduct laboratory work according to safety rules, and submit required formal laboratory reports as assigned. Listed are some typical labs we will be performing during the course of the year: Soil Analysis physical properties and chemical analysis Water Analysis physical and chemical analysis Air Quality - Particulates, ozone and carbon dioxide Biodiversitiy exploring the biotic features of the earth Energy audit Determine energy needs and develop strategies for reduction Population Density and Biomass - net productivity Population growth and size age distribution graphs, J-shaped and S-shaped Salinization effects of salts on plant growth. Ecological footprint Continental Drift and Plate tectonics webquest. Requested field trips water treatment plant, wetlands, Owensboro Community College Outdoor classroom, TVA power plant Readings Readings will include but not limited to the following list: Silent Spring Rachel Carson The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race - Jared Diamond Truax Terri Birkett Extinctions Expected to Increase strongly over the Century Science Daily, Nov 25, 2010 The Kaibab Deer Incident: Myths, Lies ad Scientific Fraud Charles E.Kay Textbook Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions, 17th ed. Miller, G. Tyler Lab Manual for Environmental Science. Wells, Edward Brooks/Cole Cengage learning Methods Instruction consists mostly of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and written assignments, including research projects in-class assignments, and homework. Approximately one class per week will be devoted to hands on experiences. All lab and field work requires a written report. Practice with released AP exam items will occur throughout the year.

2 Grading The standard grading scale for Ohio County School District is : A , B 89-80, C 79-70, D 69-60, F 59 and less Test 40% Class-work, homework, projects 30% Lab reports 10 % Writing 10% Quizzes 10% Test Major tests are administered after each major unit (two or more chapters) and will take 2 days. Day one will be 45 multiple choice and day two will consist on an essay question. Students will be given a minimum of 2 choices for the essay with prior knowledge of the questions. Only one question will be completed for the exam. If students are absent on exam day, they have one week to make-up the exam. (excused absences) Class-work, homework, projects class-work and homework are collected and graded as assigned. Students will forfeit 10% of the assigned points for each day an assignment is late. Grade values for Individual and group projects will vary according to complexity of the assignment. Lab reports - A formal lab report is required for each lab activity. The reports must follow the guidelines provided to students per the APES Lab Report Guidelines. Students will forfeit 10% of assign points for each day an assignment is late. Writings - Writing assignments will be graded based on content and grammar. A teacher produced rubric will be handed for each assignment. Students will forfeit 10% of assigned points for each day an assignment is late Quizzes Quizzes are administered throughout the discussion of a topic or reading assignment. It is important that students review material regularly and keep current with assignments. If students are absent on quiz day, they have 2 days to make it up. Class rules and attendance All district and school based rules are enforced. Class rules include the following: 1. Arrive on time, prepared and with a good attitude. Smiles appreciated! 2. All purses, backpacks and coats need to stored in drawers or cabinets at the table. 3. No food or drink. Water is permitted. 4. Be respectful of others and their property. 5. Do not put trash in sinks or cubbies, Please go to trashcan. 6. NO CHEWING GUM OR CANDY!! 7. Ask questions, participate in discussions. 8. Bring notes.

3 Unit 1 History and Chemistry Review August 9-26 Ch. 1 Environmental Problems, Causes and sustainability Ch 2 Chemistry Labs: Lab #1 Intro to Experimental Design Lab #2 the Tragedy of the Commons Who too Jerrils ipod? Identifying carbohydrates, lipids and proteins Internet Activity: Lab #21 Why is you footprint so big? Yours, Mine and Ours Who do the resources belong to? Reading: Silent Spring, Rachel Carson. Chapters 1-3 Truax, Terri Berkett Worst mistake in History of the human Race, Jared Diamond Video: Lorax Literacy: Reading 1,2,3,4,6; Writing 2,4 PLCS: CI: Demonstrator 3:a Unit 2 Ecological Principles and Biodiversity August 29-Sept. 7 Ch 3 Ecosystems Ch 4 Biodiversity and Evolution Ch 5 Biodiversity, Species Interaction and Population Control Ch 7 Climate and Biodiversity Ch 8 Aquatic Biodiversity Labs: Lab #5 food webs Soil analysis Spinning the EcoWeb Wooly Worm Lab Evolution by Natural Selection The Lesson of the Kaibab Deer Calculating Biodiversity Lab #9 The Butcher and the Biome Designing Climatograms Climate and Biomes Internet Activity: Continental Drift Webquest Reading: Biodiversity Extinctions expected to increase strongly over the Century, Science Daily The Kaibab Deer Incident: Myths, Lies and Scientific Fraud, Charles Kay Video: Trials of Life Living Together Guest Speaker: Soil Conservationist Literacy: Reading: 2,3,6, Writing 2,4 PLCS: CI: 4d

4 Unit 3 Human Population Ch. 6 Human Population and Its Impact Ch. 23 Cities and Sustainability Oct. 17-Nov.11 Lab: Human Population Growth Age Distribution Graphs Reading: Population numbers, projections, Graphs and Data, SUSPS Sierra Club Literacy: Reading 1,2,3,4,6 Writing: 2,4 PLCS:CI: Demonstrator: 3e Unit 4 Sustaining Biodiversity Ch. 9 Sustaining Biodiversity Ch.10 Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity Ch. 11 Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity Nov.14-Dec.13 Labs: #14 Know your Neighborhood watersheds and potential for pollution # 13 Life in a watershed Internet Activity: Wanted Posters for Exotic and Nonnative Plants Literacy: Reading 2,4 Writing: 2,4,7,9 PLCS: CI: Demonstrator: 2a,b 3b Arts/Humanities: CI: Demonstrator: 4:a Unit 5 Water Resources Ch. 13 Water Resources Ch. 20 Water Pollution Jan.4-20 Lab: Water Analysis Test Field Trip: Water Treatment Plant Guest Speaker: Water Quality Control Perdue Literacy: Reading 1,2,3,6,8 Writing:2,4 PLCS: CI: Demonstrator: 4:d Unit 6 Air Resources Ch 18 Air Pollution Ch 19 Climate disruption and Ozone depletion Jan.23-Feb.10 Labs: Air Particulates Reading: Climate change and the Impact on Agriculture and Cost of Adaptation, Gerald Nelson, et al.. Video: Climate Change Literacy: Reading1,2,3,6,8 Writing: 2,4 PLCS:CI: Demonstrator: 4d

5 Unit 7 Energy Resources Feb.13-March 9 Ch. 14 Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources Ch.15 Nonrenewable Energy Ch.16 Energy efficiency and Renewable Energy Labs: #15 Oil Spills cleaning up oil spills #19 Are we consuming our Biosphere Examining personal levels of Consumption Reclaimation Reading: What you don t know can hurt you. Writing: Interview a coal Miner, Day in the Life Of Or research company stores and write about mining Towns. Internet Activity: Energy Audit and Home Strategies Literacy: Reading 3,8 Writing: 2,4,6,7 PLCS:CI: Demonstrator: 3e Unit 8 Environmental Hazards March Ch. 21 Solid and Hazardous Waste Ch. 17 Environmental Hazards and Human Health Field Trip: Ohio County Balefield Neo Industries biological waste disposal. Video clip: Not in my backyard. ABC Nightly News Recycling Project: Decided on by student Guest Speaker: Health Department Lead detection Literacy: Reading 1,2,3,4 Writing: 2,4 PLCS: CI: Demonstrator: 3c,4d Unit 9 Economics, Politics, society and the Environment April 9-May 4 Ch. 23 Economics, Environment and Sustainability Ch. 24 Politics, Environment and Sustainability Ch. 25. Environment World View, Ethics and Sustainability Guest Speaker: Politics and the Environment. Representative from federal, state and local government Research Project: Oil Drilling in the Wilderness ( Alaska s Artic National Wildlife Refuge) Literacy: Reading 1,2,6,7,9 Writing: 1,7,8,9 PLCS: AI: Demonstrator: 3a,b,e Arts/Humanities Demonstrator: 3a; Demonstrator :4a

6 I have read and agree with the conditions of this class. I understand there may be labs after school or on weekends if time and conditions do not permit this during school hours. I understand there may be video material pertaining to the subject that is not rated shown in this class and I give permission for viewing. I understand that cell phone use is not permitted at Ohio County High School and by the District No Visibility Policy. I promise to work to the best of my ability, have fun and be prepared for class. student signature parent signature parent address

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