Environmental Science Learning Targets
UNIT 1: Environmental Field Study Investigations
1.1: Environmental Problem/Issue (2 evidences required)
Environmental issues surround us every day and some of them are close to home without us even knowing it. Research an environmental problem and discuss the origin of the problem, methods to correct the problem (both current and past methods), the economic impact of the problem, and the wider implication it has for human society. Use APA formatting for this project. See your instructor for more information regarding APA formatting.
1.2: Environmental Field Study
Work with you instructor to conduct an environmental field study regarding soil, water, or air quality. You will incorporate the scientific method as you design your own investigation including completing the proper forms (see your instructor for more information). You will collect and analyze data over multiple dates as part of this project and will either present that information in the form of a poster board or written paper.
1.3:Environmentalist Research Interview
Interview (either verbally or by email) an environmentalist about their research and its larger impact on society and the scientific community.
UNIT 2: Overview Unit
2.1: Weather & Climate
We are experiencing a time of climate change, which is impacting all aspects of daily life for humans. However, many people errantly attribute heat waves or "polar vortexes" to climate change. Both of these phenomenon are more about the weather and less about the climate. Explain the difference between weather and climate and why is it important to know the difference, especially when it comes to shaping environmental policy.
2.2: Geochemical Cycles (2 evidences required)
Research one of the geochemical cycles and discuss each of the following concepts:
(a) Interaction with the Geosphere
(b) Flow of Energy
(c) Applications
(d) Codependence with other Cycles
Geochemical Cycle Options:
(1) Carbon Cycle
(2) Convection Cycle
(3) Nitrogen Cycle
(4) Oxygen Cycle
(5) Phosphorous Cycle
(6) Rock Cycle
(7) Water Cycle
2.3: Interrelationships
The more you learn about the environment, the more you'll see how everything is interrelated. You cannot make a small change in one area and not expect a massive change in another. Ecosystems on Earth are incredibly complex, feeding off energy and matter from other ecosystems. Explain the different types of relationships found between and among species; mutualism, parasitism, commensalism, and predation. Be sure to include examples for each type.
UNIT 3: Healthy Earth
3.1: Biodiversity
A major indicator in the health of an ecosystem is the amount of biodiversity. In some ecosystems, there are foundational species known as keystone species which act as a proxy to understanding the health of the ecosystem. If the keystone species' numbers are strong, it is a good indication that the ecosystem is healthy. Explain biodiversity and its significance in a healthy environment. Discuss the use of specific keystone species as part of your explanation.
3.2: Population Fluctuation
Look around your town and you'll see rabbits everywhere; yet, you don't see many in the forests or woodlands in northeast Indiana. This is much in part due to a strong coyote population, which keeps the rabbit population in check. However, too many coyotes means there won't be enough food for all of them and over time the coyote population will decline. As the coyote population declines, the rabbit population will rebound in the absence of the predators. This increase in food availability then allows the coyote population to increase. Describe natural population fluctuations in a food chain, including limiting factors and carrying capacity.
3.3: Interdependence
Similar to ENV.2.3, many species depend on each other in some form for their survival. For example, over 100 plants in the South Pacific owe their existence to the cassowary bird. The plants have evolved in such a way that the germination of their seeds depends on the digestive enzymes within the bird's digestive system. Explain interdependent relationships of species and their environment.
UNIT 4: Human Impact
4.1: Environmental Documentary
Sometimes the best way to learn about environmental issues is through documentaries. However, viewer beware! Most documentaries, especially when produced as independent films, are made to attack your emotions rather than your brain. Find a documentary which addresses an environmental issue and analyze the problems from multiple perspectives. Fact check the claims of the documentary to evaluate the validity of the claims. Which solution(s) were provided by the documentary do you believe would work best when weighing the effects from the perspective of environment, energy, and economy?
4.2: Human Impact
Governments and individuals must weigh the balance of environment, economy, and energy when making decisions related to progressing society. This includes the management of resources, diversifying energy sources, and keeping the economy strong. Unfortunately, decisions are rarely balanced, and most often favor economic decisions over the other two. This all ties in with ESS.1.2 (Three E's of Geoscience). Demonstrate how humans impact the natural environment and how these impacts (sometimes necessary) are related to industrial growth (i.e. harvesting of natural resources such as metals and minerals). Discuss ways various industries have attempted to reduce their environmental impact.
UNIT 5: Economic, Government, & Environmental Policy
5.1: Federal Policy
Federal environmental policies are typically the result of historic, catastrophic events. For example, the Clean Water Act was passed as a result of the Rouge River catching fire after a lightning strike, which served as an obvious reminder of the heavy industrial pollution in American rivers. Analyze a federal environmental policy (i.e. Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, etc...). What do you think the policy got right? What area(s) do you think the policy faltered? Be sure to weigh multiple perspectives, not just the environmental side.
5.2: Create a Federal Policy
As daily citizens of this country, we often see the world through a simpler lens, not always comprehending the difficulties of writing, proposing, and lobbying to get federal environmental policy passed by the legislature. After doing your research in ENV.5.1, it's time to write your own federal environmental policy. If you were a member of Congress, how would you move this policy forward for Congressional approval?
5.3: Federal Agencies
It often feels like there is a constant battle between industry (economy) and the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. Industry would prefer no regulations because regulations typically have immediate economic costs such as fees and tedious time-consuming approval applications. EPA's role is establish federal guidelines for acceptable levels of pollution as well as setting environmental regulations which limit how and where industry is able to operate. Evaluate the role of an environmental agency (i.e. EPA, NRDC, IPCC, etc...). What are they responsible for? In what ways can this agency be improved in order to improve the health of our environment?
5.4: Clean Energies
"HEY MAN! Did you know there's a car that runs on water?!" Honestly though, clean energies are gaining in momentum as they become more efficient and cheaper. Yet, you can't ever gain something without losing something. For every clean energy, there is always a trade-off which limits their effectiveness. Examine technological advances of clean energy and their economic impact on a region. What are the limits of the clean energies? How is the adoption of these clean energies impacted the economic market?