Foundation Academy
Teacher Lisa Amat
Course AP Environmental Science
Grade 11 & 12
Contact Information:
Email: Moodle: fa-fl.moodle.renweb.com
Phone: 407-877-2744 Website: www.amatscience.net
Course Description:
Environmental Science provides students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and manmade, evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them.
This course includes a strong laboratory and field investigation component. Experiences both in the laboratory and in the field provide students with opportunities to test concepts and principles that are introduced in the classroom. An emphasis is placed on students using critical thinking and analytical skills to make a positive impact on the environment.
In this class, students gain a broad awareness of environmental science and technological career opportunities. Integrated throughout the course are career technical education standards which include basic academic skills, communication, career planning, technology, problem solving, safety, responsibility, ethics, teamwork, and technical knowledge.
Course material will encompass a variety of disciplines including geology, biogeography, soils, forestry, wildlife biology, sustainability, energy, aquatic biology and resource management. Course material will be supplemented with interactive computer programs, supplemental reading, videos and handouts. This is a course that is extensively “hands on” and will require a commitment of both time and interest. We will spend as much time in lab, as possible, learning by doing science.
Students are required to take the AP Environmental Science Exam in May and will have the opportunity to earn Advanced Placement (AP) credit for college
Class Schedule
There will be at least one lab and/or fieldwork day every-other week. A large portion of the course will be in the form of hands-on laboratory experiences.
All labs will require a written report. Roughly 2 tests are given each quarter, covering one unit (2-4 chapter). Additional instructional time and testing time is spent taking and reviewing answers to sample AP free response question style test components.
Lab Components
All experiments and activities have purpose, procedures, and data tables prewritten by the student in his or her lab book before commencing lab work. Completed experiments must include purpose, procedures, data tables, data manipulation (basic statistics), analysis of results and errors. Lab experiences are typically hands-on, and include activities with set procedures as well as open-ended, student-designed investigations. Students have at least one, ongoing experiment running each quarter: bottle ecosystems, Winogradsky columns, fast plants, citizen science reporting, etc.
Text and resources
Environmental Science for AP, Friedland and Relyea, W.H. Freeman and Company, 2015. 2nd edition; ISBN: 978-1464108686
Videos: Home, Planet Earth series, Strange Days of Planet Earth series, Food Inc., Gasland, An Inconvenient Truth, Discovery and Science Channel, and others that the teacher may announce.
Web sites: Environmental News Network, NAAEE, GLOBE, EPA, NASA, NOAA,
Annenberg: Habitable Planet, Oxfam, Population Reference Bureau, etc.
Course Topic Outline: (Note: the percentage after each topic shows the approximate proportion of multiple choice questions on the exam and therefore the relative emphasis placed on each topic in the course)
Earth Systems and Resources (10-15%)
Earth science concepts
The atmosphere
Global water resources and use
Soil and soil dynamics
The Living World (10-15%)
Ecosystem structure
Energy flow
Ecosystem diversity
Natural ecosystem change
Natural biogeochemical cycles
Populations (10-15%)
Population biology
Human population study
Land and Water Use (10-15%)
Agriculture
Forestry
Rangelands
Other land Use
Mining
Fishing
Global economics
Energy Resources and Consumption (10-15%)
Energy concepts
Energy consumption
Fossil fuel resources and use
Nuclear energy
Hydroelectric power
Energy conservation
Renewable energy
Pollution (25-30%)
Pollution types
Impacts on human health
Economic impacts
Global Change (10-15%)
Stratospheric ozone
Climate change
Loss of biodiversity
Course Prerequisites and Requirements
Required: Chemistry and Biology
Recommended: Algebra
Because of the prerequisites, AP Environmental Science will usually be taken in either the junior or senior year. Students must be prepared to work outdoors for several of the labs.
Grade Percentages
Grading is broken down into the following major categories:
1. Daily assessments (homework, groupwork, etc.) will account for approximately 25% of your course grade
2. Developmental assessments (those assignments which will help you develop your skills necessary to succeed on the summative assessments such as quizzes, notebook grades, labs/lab reports, etc.) will account for approximately 35% of your course grade.
3. Summative assessments (tests & projects) will account for approximately 40% of your course grade.
Classroom Expectations:
1. Arrive to class on time. FA tardy policy applies.
Proverbs 6:6- Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise.
2. Be polite. Respect the people and property around you. (teacher, students, self) Use appropriate language, think before speaking and use kind words.
1 Peter 2:17- Show proper respect to everyone; Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the King.
3. Be cautious during labs and observe all safety procedures. Review and sign the lab safety contract.
Proverbs 28:26- He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
4. Come to class with all necessary materials including: notebook, paper, pen, textbook, and any additional materials specified by Mrs. Amat.
Colossians 2:23-24- Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
5. Cell phones are not allowed to be used in class. If I hear it or see you using your phone I will confiscate it.
a. First offense- the student may retrieve it from the principal at the end of the school day.
b. Second offense- a parent must come in and get it from the principal and the student will be assigned a one-hour detention.
c. Third offense- parent conference and one-hour detention
d. Fourth offense- Saturday school or suspension
e. Fifth offense- Out-of-school suspension
6. When you absent from class, you are responsible for making up the work you missed promptly. (see makeup work policy)
James 1:4-Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
7. Do not enter the classroom if Mrs. Amat is not already there even if the door is unlocked. Wait outside until she arrives.
Romans 13:5- Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
Grading Policy for absences
Excused- If you have an excused absence from my class you have the same number of days absent to make up any missed work. If it is turned in within that time frame there will be no grade penalty. If it is not turned in within the allotted time, the assignment will receive a zero.
Unexcused- If you have an unexcused absence from my class you have the same number of days absent to make up any missed work AND there will be a 20% grade reduction. If it is not turned in within the allotted time, the assignment will receive a zero.
Whatever the reason for your absence, it is your responsibility to get all missed work. You can check Renweb homework section or the Moodle class website to find out what was covered in class and assigned for homework.
Late Work Policy
Work is considered late any time after the teacher has collected it during that class period. It is the student’s responsibility to have the homework with them in class.
• 1 day late – receive ½ credit; thereafter – 0 credit. Work is still required to be completed.
• Any problems with computer/toner/anything electronic or technological, student must turn in a hand-written final draft on the due date. This is the draft that will be graded.
Test Schedule
Tuesday/Thursday: math, English, foreign language exams
Wednesday/Friday: science, social studies, Bible
Monday: Makeup Day, major projects, essays, performance
Materials Needed
Textbook
Composition book (first one provided by Mrs. Amat)
Pens (black or blue and a colored one of your choice)
Pencils
3x5 cards
High lighter
Sticky notes
Notebook
Students are expected to keep an interactive science notebook (ISN). You will receive specific instructions on how to set up and maintain your notebook for this class. It is a required component of the class and must be brought with you to every class. If you lose your notebook, you will be expected to recreate it. Notebook checks will be a part of your quarterly grades.
I have read the above syllabus and understand all rules, procedures, and consequences.
Student Signature:______Date:______
Parent Signature:______Date:______