Advanced Placement Environmental Science (“APES”) is a college-level environmental science course. This course is taught as a traditional science course, incorporating laboratory activities, virtual activities, short-term projects, long-term studies, field investigations, and the use of technology for gathering data (LabQuest II data probes, including dissolved oxygen, temperature probes, and pH meters as well as data analysis software). Experiences in the laboratory and field and through virtual internet labs will provide students with opportunities to relate classroom concepts to real-world applications of environmental science. Through these experiences, students will record data, gather evidence, and present it to their peers verbally and in writing in different formats, both digitally and via poster sessions. Students will be able to explore specific real-world environmental issues and gain an awareness of the science behind these issues. Students will explore the impact of our growing human population and understand that they have a stake in the environment's future. 

The course follows guidelines established by the College Board to provide students with scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand interrelationships in the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems, both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternatives for resolving and/or preventing them, including environmental policies and legislation.

APES is interdisciplinary and incorporates topics from many different areas of study. Several major unifying themes, or big ideas, cut across the topics within APES.

APS Grading Policy:

Students may obtain make-up work for any absence, excused or unexcused with the exception of long-term suspensions and expulsions. Upon return from an absence(s), students shall request make-up work and will have one day per one day of absence to complete the missed work unless the teacher and/or school administrator add additional time. Grades shall not be reduced as a direct penalty for non-attendance, however grading plans may include participation grades as part of an overall grading method.

Late Work Policy:

Turning work in on time is always the goal since it helps the student progress toward mastery of the content.  Work that is submitted late may not be accepted for credit, or may receive a reduction in points.  Alternatively, if an exception is given for late work, the teacher has the discretion to substitute alternative assignments for work.

Missing Work Policy:

As soon as work becomes past due, it will be given a 0, even if the student is still eligible to make it up within the APS missing work policy period. This is an important practice so that students can see the impact of a missing assignment on their grade.

Absent Student for Labs or Tests:

Please try never to miss a lab or a test.  These are challenging to make up and will require students to use 1 - 3 lunches to make up.

• Students will have seven days or the time allotted by the APS missing work policy, whichever is longer. 

• The student will have to set up a time with me during lunch to make these up in person during the above-mentioned time frame. The teacher is not responsible for this.

• For Tests, students will not be eligible for any class curve allocated on the original exam date. An alternate version of the exam will be given to negate information shared by their peers from the original test date. 

• For Labs:  The teacher has the discretion to substitute alternative assignments as needed based on the set-up requirements.

VVHS Alternative Assignment Policy:

If there are barriers that preclude or hinder the completion of certain assignments, or if a student or guardian feels especially uncomfortable with certain assignments, I am definitely open to students demonstrating their learning through the completion of alternative assignments. I would encourage students and their guardians to be proactive in communicating with me about this issue before, or when, the work is initially assigned. Alternative assignments may not be considered if the teacher is notified after the due date.