Suggested Outline

Environmental Science

Grade Level: 11 & 12 Length of Course: Year Credit: 1 Unit

Course Description (ISBE ID:18504A001): This course examines the relationship of agriculture and the environment. The impact of plant and animal production practices on the environment and the adoption of practices leading to improved air, land, and water quality are investigated. Areas of emphasis include: types of ecosystems, management of waste, chemical use, soil conservation, land uses and regulations, and water and air quality. Encouraging students to be conscious and concerned about the environment and recognizing the need to conserve the environment and its resources will be a theme throughout. Careers of environmental technicians, soil and water conservationists, monitoring field technicians, land surveyor, and related occupations will be examined. Improving computer and workplace skills will be a focus. Participation in FFA student organization activities and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects is an integral course component for leadership development, career exploration and reinforcement of academic concepts.

LessonASB- AgriScience (Central Core Revised) APS- Animal, Plant, & Soil Science HC- Horticulture Cluster
ABR- Agricultural Business Management AMT- Agricultural Mechanics & Technology
ES- Environmental Resources NRES- Natural Resources and Environmental Systems / Suggested Hours/ Problem Area
Instruction in the FFA Organization is to take place at appropriate times throughout the year.
Unit: B – Developing Leadership and Communication Skills
Problem Area: 1 – Opportunities in FFA and Youth Organizations
Lesson: ASB B1-1 – History and Organization of FFA
Lesson: ASB B1-2 – Opportunities in the FFA
Lesson: ASB B1-3 – Achievement in FFA
Lesson: ASB B1-4 – Leading the FFA Chapter
Lesson: ASB B1-5 – Planning and Conducting effective Meetings
Lesson: ASB B1-6 – Youth Clubs and Organizations
Lesson: ASB B1-7 – School and Community Awareness
Lesson: ASB B1-8 – FFA Alumni Association / 10
Instruction in SAE programs is to take place at appropriate times throughout the year.
Unit: B – Developing Leadership and Communication Skills
Problem Area: 5 – Understanding SAE’s
Lesson: ASB B5-1 – Benefits of an SAE Program
Lesson: ASB B5-2 – Types of SAE Programs
Lesson: ASB B5-3 – Possible SAE Programs
Lesson: ASB B5-4 – Planning Your SAE Program
Lesson: ASB B5-5 – Implementing SAE Programs
Lesson: ASB B5-6 – Keeping and Using SAE Records
Lesson: ASB B5-7 – Long Range Plans for Expanding SAE Programs / 10
Unit: A – Interrelationships Between Natural Resources, Environmental Systems, and Humans
Problem Area: 1 – Introduction to Natural Resources and Environmental
Systems
Lesson: NRES A1-1 – Natural Resources and Environmental Systems
Lesson: NRES A1-2 – Natural Resources Conservation and Preservation
Lesson: NRES A1-3 – Careers in Natural Resources and Environmental Systems / 15
Unit: A – Interrelationships Between Natural Resources, Environmental Systems, and Humans
Problem Area: 2 – Government and Natural Resources and Environmental
Systems
Lesson: NRES A2-1 – Public Lands
Lesson: NRES A2-2 – The National Park and U.S. Forest Services
Lesson: NRES A2-3 – The Environmental Protection Agency / 10
Unit: B – Scientific Principles Related to Natural Resources, Environmental Systems, and Humans
Problem Area: 2– Soil Science
Lesson: NRES B2-1 – The Importance of Soil
Lesson: NRES B2-2 – Land Use
Lesson: NRES B2-3 – The Nature of Soil
Lesson: NRES B2-4 – Soil Formation
Lesson: NRES B2-5 – Soil Color
Lesson: NRES B2-6 – Soil Texture and Structure
Lesson: NRES B2-7 – Soil Profile
Lesson: NRES B2-8 – Soil Moisture Holding Capacity
Lesson: NRES B2-9 – Soil Degradation
Lesson: NRES B2-10 – Soil Erosion and Management Practices
Lesson: NRES B2-11 – USDA Soil Taxonomy System
Lesson: NRES B2-12 – Rocks and Minerals / 30
Unit: B – Scientific Principles Related to Natural Resources, Environmental Systems, and Humans
Problem Area: 3 – Hydrology
Lesson: NRES B3-1 – The Water Cycle
Lesson: NRES B3-2 – Watersheds
Lesson: NRES B3-3 – Water Sources and Quality Standards
Lesson: NRES B3-4 – Water Pollution
Lesson: NRES B3-5 – Groundwater Contamination
Lesson: NRES B3-6 – Stream Hydrology / 25
Unit: B – Scientific Principles Related to Natural Resources, Environmental Systems, and Humans
Problem Area: 4 – Atmospheric Science
Lesson: NRES B4-1 – Weather Systems
Lesson: NRES B4-2 – Air Pollution
Lesson: NRES B4-3 – Air Quality / 20
Unit: F – Energy
Problem Area: 1 – Energy Sources
Lesson: NRES F1-1 – Nonrenewable Energy Sources
Lesson: NRES F1-2 – Renewable Energy Sources
Lesson: NRES F1-3 – Energy from Biomass
Lesson: NRES F1-4 – Bioenergy Production Processes / 30
Unit: G – Waste Management
Problem Area: 1 – Waste Treatment
Lesson: NRES G1-1 – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Lesson: NRES G1-2 – Solid Waste Treatment
Lesson: NRES G1-3 – Wastewater Treatment
Lesson: NRES G1-4 – Hazardous Waste Treatment
Lesson: NRES G1-5 – Bioremediation
Lesson: NRES G1-6 – Bioremediation
Lesson: NRES G1-7 – Industrial Chemical Waste Treatment / 30
TOTAL / 180

* This is a suggested outline of instruction. Teachers should use it as a guide in developing a course outline for their local situation. It is advised that a minimum of 60-70% of the lessons found in this outline appear in the outline developed for the local situation.

Environmental Science 1 February 2015