A.P.+ENVIRONMENTAL+SCIENCE

A.P. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE If your son or daughter is in my APES class, please let me know if you can be available to drive /chaperone field trips. Send an email to me at rgreenberg@hawbridgeschool.org Let me know the best day(s) of the week and how many students you can transport.

Possible weekday field trips for the year include:

- Multiple visits to The Eco-Institute at Pickards Mountain - OWASA Water treatment plant - Carolina Botanical Garden - UNC Power Plant - Eno River State Park - Jordan Lake - Piedmont Biofuels, Pittsboro, NC

Possible weekend field trips (if enough assistance is available from parents to help organize) - Cape Lookout National Seashore, Fort Macon State Park or Bald Head Island Conservancy - Brevard-Highlands area in NC Mountains


 * RESOURCES **

A.P. Environmental Science course homepage (the College Board site) This is the most important resource for the course. Please take time to look through it. http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/2128.html

__**AP Environmental Science syllabus**__

The goal of AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles and methodologies required for understanding the interrelationships of the natural world. The course is intended to promote the development of citizens who can make informed decisions concerning environmental issues. The AP Environmental Science course is designed to be the equivalent of a one- semester college course in environmental science.

Students are expected to be self-motivated and willing to consistently follow the course reading and engage in classroom discussion.

First Quarter

1. Basic issues in environmental science 2. Water resources and pollution 2. Sustainability 3. Ecosystems and change 4. Biogeochemical cycles 5. Earth’s physical systems

Second Quarter

1. Environmental decision making 2. Environmental policy 3. Human populations 4. Soil and agriculture 5. Land resources and use 6. Populations and community ecology

Third Quarter

1. Livable and sustainable cities 2. Environmental health and toxicology 3. Managing our waste 4. Ecological succession 5. Water resources and pollution 6. Atmospheric science and air pollution

Fourth Quarter

1. Global climate change 2. Fossil Fuels 3. Conventional energy alternatives 4. New and alternative energy sources

The order of these topics is subject to change.

The College Board weights topics on the exam as follows:

· Earth Systems and Resources (10%–15%) · The Living World (10–15%) · Population (10%–15%) · Land and Water Use (10%–15%) · Energy Resources and Consumption (10%–15%) · Pollution (25%–30%) · Global Change (10%–15%)

Your assignments will be weighted as follows

· Homework 20% Critical in understanding and reinforcing vocabulary and underlying concepts · Quizzes 20% Short assessments of knowledge, intended to identify areas of improvement · Labs 20% Hands-on, inquiry-based labs. Formal lab reports are often required. · Tests and projects 40% Summative gauges of student learning. Based on labs, classroom activities, readings, etc

Class Activities and Policies

Reading Be aware that this course involves regular readings. Assignments will be made from your textbook, the internet, and supplementary texts provided by your teacher. Please keep up with the reading as it will help your participation in class

Textbook Environment: The Science Behind the Stories by Jay Withgott and Scott Brennan

Long Term assignments Students are responsible for two book reports - one in the fall semester and the next in the spring. Please refer to the "Reading List for Book Reports" (below) Students are responsible for one research paper this year; Instructions are forthcoming.

Grading There will be quizzes (announced and unannounced) on the reading and homework assignments. Expect a test after each chapter or group of chapters. Tests will always be announced.

Essays Since there will be open-ended essay prompts on the A.P. exam, students will get plenty of practice - in both writing essays as well as using the rubric to grade essays. There is a certain way that essays should be written for the exam. A page will be create specifically addressing essays.

Web site The web site for the course includes a Class Calendar and a section for Assignments and Deadlines Files will be uploaded to the site in the Class Calendar. These include: schedules, study guides, fill in notes, handouts, assignments, and links to additional readings. It is very important that you check the website regularly, especially if you are absent. If you do not have regular Internet access, please see me.

The web address is: rgreenbergscience.wikispaces.com

Classroom materials Each student must have a composition notebook for in class writing assignments and work. It is recommended that students also keep a three ring binder with tabs to keep their notes, study guides and activities. Each unit should be separated with a divider. The composition book will be handed in frequently but should be kept inside the three-ring binder.

Tutoring Tutoring is available after school by appointment. In the weeks leading up to the final exam, academies will be scheduled. These will be announced via e-mail and in class.

Academic Integrity The Hawbridge Honor code will be strictly enforced. Please make sure that you have read and understand the Honor Code.

Contact Information Please feel free to contact me. The best way is through email. We can also arrange to meet in person or talk on the phone - whatever works best for us. Rob Greenberg Email: rgreenberg@hawbridgeschool.com

Active participation is necessary for success in this class. You are expected to work independently. All school policies as specified in the student handbook will be followed.

A.P. Exam All students are expected to take the AP exam administered on ___________