Environmental Science

Environmental Science Syllabus

Click Here for the Printable Version

Instructors: Andy Stephens

Phone: 720-561-8729

Email: stephensteach@gmail.com and zschiewetz@gmail.com

Class Website: www.stephensteach.com

Credit: .5

Course Description

This course holds many exciting adventures in science. During this academic year, you will learn how to apply scientific processes to analyze and solve environmental problems by interpreting scientific data and drawing logical conclusions. The class will be unique in that the concepts learned can be widely applied to contemporary environmental crises. Emphasis will be on developing environmental literacy, data collection & analysis, evaluation of information, and oral & written communication of experimental results. We will learn about the following units:

1. Environmental History

2. Human Impacts and Consumption

3. Solutions

Prerequisite

None

Objectives

• 1. Develop an understanding of the Earth's environment that leads to a lifelong love for the hydrosphere, lithosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.

  2. Become a scientifically literate citizen that is able to understand current events surrounding environmental issues and act, vote, and purchase accordingly.

Materials

• 1. Google account-This is free but you must remember your username and password at all times. If you forget it and cannot access your account it will affect your grade, so right it down somewhere! Your account will be used to create webpages for projects, collaborate with groups, and post lab data with partners. It is recommended that you sign up for a google account using your BVSD email. Your google site will comprise the majority of your in class/project grade and will be peer reviewed each unit.

  2. Notebook-This is the type of notebook sometimes called a composition book. It will be your textbook where you write all of your notes, lab report drafts, observations, etc. I often have extras if you have trouble getting a hold of one. You must have an organized place to write down notes.

  3. Binder-This is also known as a three ring binder. Here you will organize your handouts, tests, or anything else that is not in your notebook. Again, I have extras if you like to recycle and save money. You must have a place to organize handouts.

  4. Good Attitude-We will spend many hours together in class and are working together to create the best experience for everyone.

  5. USB Drive (optional)-This is also known as a thumb drive, flash drive, etc. They are pretty inexpensive, but if you have trouble getting one, ask me and we will figure it out. The USB will have all of your electronic files related to the course so you can save, modify, create, and turn in documents even if the internet is down.

Expectations

1. Work hard.

   1. Follow New Vista's Core Values.

      • Practice respect-Be helpful, be kind, value differences, don't swear.

      • Its about teaching and learning

        • Students-Attend, engage, and pass with B's or better

        • Teachers-Make it interesting and interactive

      • Support each other-Positive encouragement for everyone, use confidentiality and emotional support

      • Keep school and school activities substance free

      • Have fun together

      • Participate-Make these values real everyday, become members of the community; plan, organize, and be on communities

   2. Cell Phones-Cell phones should remain out of site during class time. If you take out your cell phone during class without permission it will be confiscated until the end of class.

   3. Music-Music players (mp3, iPod, etc) should remain out of site during class time. If you take out your music player during class without permission it will be confiscated until the end of class.

   4. Tardy-If you arrive late, please write your name on the board and the number of minutes late you arrived. You will stay after class to help clean up, organize the class, or put up chairs during break or after class ends.

   5. Absence-YOU are responsible for making up the work you miss, don't wait, use the website, make it to field trips.

   6. Food-Healthy food may be consumed during non-lab activities in the classroom as long as it does not distract from anyone's learning or teaching. Examples of healthy food include: fruits, vegetables, and sandwiches. Examples of unhealthy food include: candy, soda, and twinkies. If you are unsure about whether a type of food is healthy, ask.

   7. Leaving Class-I expect you to stay in class unless it is an emergency or you are meeting with school faculty or staff. However, I understand that you may need to use the restroom during class time, get a drink, or take a quick walk. Therefore, I will give you twenty extra credit points per quarter which can be spent on leaving class at a cost of 5 points per trip. You can keep the extra credit, spend 20, or incur a debt, its up to you.

Grading

1. The major assignments in this category are lab reports. Two students will be randomly selected one day prior to the report due date to present their lab reports to the class. Every student will present once per quarter. The presentation is worth the equivalent of one lab report grade-30 points.

2. Each student is allowed to use one page of original notes on unit tests.Tests will be self-reviewed in class using red pen only. This exercise increases retention of information and confronts misconceptions. Your complete academic honesty is expected. If you fail to meet this expectation you will fail said test.

3. The major assignment in this category is the class website. You will make a web page for each unit, peer review it, and it will be worth 40 points each time.

4. The major assignment in this category is a participation self evaluation.