Suggested Summer Assignment

A.P. Environmental Science (APES)-DNHS/Hendricks

Welcome to APES! I am looking forward to exploring the field of Environmental Science with you.

While all fields of science are connected, Environmental Science is unique in that it truly is the combination, coordination, and culmination of all sciences (biology, chemistry, physics and more). You will find that in all we do, your understanding of these more foundational sciences will be helpful. If you have not taken bio, chem and/or physics, don’t fear! Although you may have to work a bit harder than those that did, you will have the opportunity to learn it and apply it as we go.

Environmental Science is also unique in that every unit of study is “real world” and current.

Two things that will be needed for the start of the school year are 1) a spiral or permanently bound notebook (200 or more pages probably or three70-100 pg smaller ones)--pockets are optional, and 2) a calculator (simple 4 function is fine). If you find these in your travels this summer, please pick them up, especially if they are recycled and inexpensive!

My goal for this is not to give you unnecessary, time-filling, mindless work. It is to set you up for success and to get you thinking about why environmental science should be taken by all students and its relevancy not just in school but in all of society.

Below is your recommended summer assignment and instructions for accessing the “e-book”.

Directions for Online Access to the APES Living in the Environment Textbook

  1. Go to this web address:
  1. Click on…. New Student User on the right, middle of the page
  1. Place this access code in the box: ELPPN1T8PPN513 and click….. continue
  1. Click…continue once again
  1. Fill in all of the fields, select agree to their license agreement and click…continue
  1. Click… “open” and the PDF file for the textbook will open for you
  1. Click OPEN on the link for “Online Adobe PDF eBook…”
  1. In the table of contents, scroll down to “Supplements” and click on it. You will be using supplements 1, 2, and 4.

Recommended Summer Assignment

Supplement 1-Measurement Units: A list of useful conversions. One of the things we will be doing is calculating and converting data. Print this sheet for your notebook.

Supplement 2-Reading Graphs and Maps:

  1. Review the information in this section regarding various types of graphs. Either take notes about each graph type OR print, highlight, AND annotated these pages.
  2. Answer each of the questions. Answer them with “scientific writing”. This means that your answers should be direct and supported by fact/evidence. Do NOT worry about writing in a “flowery” way (as my freshman English teacher Mrs. Theones would say). You may choose to support your answers with diagrams but do not rely solely on the illustrations. Your answers should leave no doubt as to your depth of understanding.
  3. Record any question you may have or areas where you need further explanation or help.

Supplement 4-Some Basic Chemistry: It may have been a while since you took chem, or maybe you never did. Take the opportunity this summer to review/learn some of the chemistry essentials necessary for understanding the molecular basis of many environmental issues. Practice the following reading technique.

  1. Browse the section by concentrating on the headings and diagrams. This will give you a feel for what you will be reading.
  2. Read for depth and understanding. Read and take notes. Cornell style are a great option. Whatever method you use, it should be easy to find topics when needed. As a general rule, “do NOT copy lines from the pages. Rather, paraphrase and record the important meanings in your own words. Include page numbers as you do this so that you can find the source/location later if needed. Focus on the diagrams! Can you explain articulately what each diagram is trying to convey?
  3. Record any question you have or areas where you may need further explanation or help.

Peruse the News!-Whether it is TV, radio, social media, on-line, etc., what environmental issues/factors are being discussed? On a “weeklyish basis”, write down the following:

  1. What topics are “hot”?
  2. What do you know about them?
  3. Why are they in the news?
  4. What questions do you have?
  5. What are some causes/solutions being discussed?
  6. How do you know if these causes/solutions are based in scientific fact?

Last and most important…..Get out and experience:We live in an amazing, diverse, and vulnerable city, county, state, country and world (bonus points if you are able to go beyond this level ;-) ). On day one we will share where we went, what we saw, what we did, what we loved, what we learned, what concerns we have, and what questions we have!

Enjoy your summer! Come back recharged and refreshed, inquisitive, and enthusiastic.

Sincerely,

Mr. Hendricks