May 18, 2018
Dear Environmental Systems student,
Welcome to IB Environmental Systems and Societies. This coursewill focus not only be on the science of ecosystems, but also how they areutilized and impacted by humans.Students will gain skills in outdoor field techniques as a means to facilitate scientific inquiry of the environment.Topics of discussion will include ways in which economics and politics drive environmental decisions, with the goal of providing ample opportunity to develop personal opinions on several controversial issues relating to environmental studies. In this course, students will not only be asked to develop their own opinions backed by solid science, but to also strive to put their knowledge into actions that will have a meaningful impact on our world.
The first topic that this class will study relates to environmental value systems. As an introduction to considering the respective roles of humans and other members of an ecosystem, pleaseobtain a copy of the New York Times bestseller, “There’s A Hair In My Dirt! A Worm’s Story” by Gary Larson. The book is offered on eBay, Amazon (low price $1.49used), and several other internet sites.
Before reading the book, please familiarize yourself these terms. They will be present in the reading, so if you don’t already know them, look them up! There may be an assessment the first week of school using these terms.
- dirt (biological definition)
- invertebrate
- annelid
- phylum
- rodent
- pollination
- gastropod
- amphibian
- viscosity
- anterior
After reading the book, please write a review addressing the following topics:
- Based on her speech and actions, what was Harriet’s view or attitude toward nature?
- Describeinstances whereHarriet’s interpretations of nature may have been inaccurate, and the consequences of her actions. How might this relate to real-world environmental scenarios?
- What do you personally believe is the ‘value’ of nature?
Your review must be typed and double spaced,250 to 500 words in length. Remember that all your answers must be your own. You are not permitted to use the work of other students, web sites, study guides, cliff notes or any work that is not entirely generated by you.
Do not print your review. Please join using group using code: kwm792. After joining the group, please submit your document by attaching it to the assignment post on that group. If you are unable to sign onto edmodo then please email me at . Be sure to turn in the assignment prior to the first day of school, August 6, 2018. Check back on edmodo periodically for confirmation that I received the assignment and can open the file. Also, additional information about the class may be posted from time to time.
Until we meet in August,
Ken Wedel