AP Environmental Science Summer Assignment
Ms. Hennessey
Rock Ridge High School
Welcome to AP Environmental Science (APES)! The major topics of the class are:
Energy Systems and Resources – atmosphere, soil, groundwater, and geology
The Living World – ecosystems and cycles
Populations – demographics, dynamics and growth
Land and Water Use – agriculture, forestry, mining, fishing and global economics
Energy Resources and Consumption – fossil fuels, nuclear energy, conservation, and consumption
Pollution – types of pollution and its impact, waste disposal
Global Change – ozone, global warming, loss of biodiversity
This summer assignment will give you a brief overview of all of the topics we will go over this year and address some of the associated prerequisites for this course. Over the course of the year we will learn more about the science and social issues associated with each of the topics. There are four parts to the summer assignment, which in total should take you no more than 4-5 hours.
If you have any questions about the assignment, feel free to email me at . I will be checking my email periodically throughout the summer. The summer assignment will count for a portion of your first nine weeks grade. All work turned in must be your own. The criteria and point value for each part of the assignment is detailed below.
PART 1. E-mail Me and Sign-Up for Text Alerts (5 points). DUE: September 1st
a) E-mail me with the following information: ()
- Brief introduction (interests, employment, career/college aspirations, etc.)
- What you think I need to know as your teacher to help you be successful in this course
b) Sign up to receive messages via text by texting @f929d2 to 81010
COMPLETE PARTS 2-4 ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES.
THIS COMPLETED PACKET IS DUE SEPTEMBER 16TH.
PART 2. Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills (15 points)
See attached list and directions; a quiz over this information will take place the first week of class (not the first day). The format of the quiz will be matching, so making flashcards would be a good idea.
PART 3. Experience the Natural World (30 points)
Visit a natural outdoor area, go for a walk, and make some observations. Please go beyond your neighborhood. On your walk, please do the following:
a. Record the time, date, location, approximate duration of your outing, and whether you went alone or with friend(s).
b. Take a selfie in this natural area, print it, and attach it here:
c. Record brief observations of the flora and fauna, the geology of the area, the type of path you are walking on (grass, sand, rock, etc.) This should be one paragraph.
d. Find a quiet spot to sit for at least 5 minutes. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you. What sounds are natural? Are there human made sounds? Write a reflection of this experience. This should be one paragraph.
e. Respond to the following in a paragraph: Is this natural area really ‘natural’? Explain…How do you think it appeared 25 years ago? 200 years ago? 20,000 years ago?
PART 4. Current Events in Environmental Science (20 points)
At some point over the summer, identify an environmentally themed news article that interests you. Please attach a hard copy of the actual article to the back of this packet. The article must come from a reputable news source (Wall Street Journal, NY Times, Discover, Science, Nature, National Geographic, etc.). Be prepared to discuss the issue and your responses to it.
a. Summarize the article in one paragraph.
b. What questions do you have about this issue?
c. What is your opinion of the issue?
d. How does the issue impact you?
e. How is the article relevant to an APES course?