Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary study of many disciplines that will examine the role of humans in the ecosystem. This course will be offered as a semester-long course. Its goal is to provide students with the scientific background to critically analyze the intricacies of the natural world, to identify key environmental problems, and subsequently provide viable solutions to resolve and/or prevent these problems. Topics shall include toxins in our environment, air and water pollution, population growth, energy consumption, and climate change. Students will participate in field trips to locations around town to demonstrate topics within the curriculum.
This course is offered at the combined ACP/Honors level. Students will be placed in the Honors section for scheduling purposes only. Students will be able to designate which level they would like to be assessed at in the fall once they learn about course expectations.
SKILL 1: Modeling
Students will be able to interpret or construct an effective model in familiar and/or unfamiliar contexts using all relevant environmental science content.
SKILL 2: Concept Description and Explanation
Students will be able to construct an explanation for a scientific phenomenon using all relevant environmental science content in familiar and/or unfamiliar contexts.
SKILL 3: Scientific Methods and Argumentation
Students will be able to successfully follow all steps of the scientific method and communicate arguments that establish claims and use sufficient evidence and reasoning to support those claims.
SKILL 4: Data Gathering, Interpretation and Analysis
Students will be able to gather, graphically illustrate, analyze, and interpret data using all relevant environmental science content in familiar and/or unfamiliar contexts.