Welcome to APES! This course is interdisciplinary, involving the fields of ecology, biology, ocean and atmospheric sciences, climatology, chemistry, geology, toxicology, geography, economics, politics, and ethics, etc.  The goals of the AP Environmental Science course are to (1) provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships in the natural world, (2) to identify and analyze environmental problems or challenges (both natural and man-made), (3) to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and (4) to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.  While this course explores many different topic areas, the following scientific practices serve as a foundation for the course.

·    Big Idea 1: Energy Transfer (ENG) 

·   Big Idea 2: Interactions Between Earth Systems (ERT)

·   Big Idea 3: Interactions Between Different Species and the Environment (EIN) 

·   Big Idea 4:  Sustainability (STB)

To successfully complete the course and meet all of the required objectives, you will need to do independent work on your own at home. It will not replace classroom instruction or labs. It is to ensure all material is covered, as we do not have enough time allotted to cover every single topic in APES. During the school year, you will be reading chapters in the book and taking some of your own notes to supplement notes taken in class. You will also check out other resources and links I may give to you in class or online, as they will help your understanding of the topic. It is necessary that you do this throughout the year.