“Wildlife, it is pointed out, is dwindling because its home is being destroyed, but the home of the wildlife is also our home.” -Rachel Carson 1938
AP Environmental Science Big Ideas
Energy Transfer: Energy conversions underlie all ecological
processes. Energy cannot be created; it must come from
somewhere. As energy flows through systems, at each step,
more of it becomes unusable.
Interactions Between Earth Systems: The Earth is one
interconnected system. Natural systems change over time and
space. Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from
disturbances.
Interactions Between Different Species and the Environment:
Humans alter natural systems and have had an impact on the
environment for millions of years. Technology and population
growth have enabled humans to increase both the rate and scale
of their impact on the environment.
Sustainability: Human survival depends on developing practices
that will achieve sustainable systems. A suitable combination of
conservation and development is required. The management of
resources is essential. Understanding the role of cultural, social,
and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions.
2024-2025 Grading Categories and Weights:
Exams/Projects 45%
Quizzes 20%
Class Participation 15%
Classwork & Labs 10%
Homework 10%