NEWS FLASH - You are enrolled in a YEAR-LONG AP class. The AP teachers are excited about the opportunity to teach year-long classes, and we believe you will enjoy the new format. Exam exemption policy is no different so be careful with your absences and tardies.
Welcome to AP Environmental Science at Millbrook High. I am very excited
about the upcoming year. APES targets a wide array of scientific principles
and challenges. Almost all major corporations, government agencies and
educational institutions employ environmental scientists. As a society
we cannot move forward without considering the dynamic needs of our one
and only home. Decisions need to be made, based on scientific principles
coordinated with the needs of our society. Decisions should not be made
based on news media reports and other biased materials.
APES is designed to be the equivalent of a one-semester course introductory
college course in environmental science. Unlike most college science courses,
environmental science is offered from a wide variety of departments including
geology, biology, chemistry, physics, geography and environmental studies.
I have a degree from NCSU in Wildlife Biology. One could have a degree
in any of the above areas and be qualified to teach this course. We are
not going to study just trees, animals and pollution. If it is part of
the Earth, it is part of this course.
This AP course has been developed to provide you with an integrated approach
to the numerous disciplines involved in environmental sciences, and to
incorporate many lab components, as well as social and political themes.
The APES course is to provide students with the scientific principles,
concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships
of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both
natural and man-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these
problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing
them. There are several unifying constructs or themes that provide the
foundations for the structure of the APES course.
1. Science is a process.
2. Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
3. The Earth itself is one interconnected system.
4. Humans alter natural systems.
5. Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.
6. Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable
systems.
CLASS STRUCTURE
Material will be covered through the use of Power point notes, critical thinking activities, formal
labs, videos, group discussions and assorted indoor and outdoor projects. Hopefully we will leave campus on a few field trips during the year.
You are expected to -
- come prepared each and every day and act responsibly
- Follow posted tardy policy
- Follow all MHS and WCPSS policies and regulations
- CHECK APES web site and your e-mail daily
- Use the Internet and Miller textbook website to your best advantage
- Each individual in a lab team is responsible for all of the teams
data every day. If a member is absent from class, that will NOT be an
excuse for the team to be dysfunctional. Leave important materials in
the room.
GRADING
All scheduled tests will be simulations of the final College Board AP
exam, with multiple choice and essay portions. Other assignments will
include quizzes, current events, laboratory write-ups, group work, research
and oral presentations (teaching class), an Eco-Journal, Home Energy Audit, book reports
and some Internet research. You are expected to complete all assignments
and NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED for full credit (see penalties below),
unless do to an EXCUSED absence (follow school policy)
***SEE MHS ABSENCE and MAKE-UP POLICIES for more information
- Remember, this is a COLLEGE level course with very high expectations
- GRADING is done on a POINTS SYSTEM
- TESTS ARE DIFFICULT.
- MAJOR LABS WILL FOLLOW STRICT LAB WRITE-UP PROCEDURES
- 5 POINT QUIZZES UNANNOUNCED, 10+ POINT QUIZZES ANNOUNCED.
- LATE WORK - First DAY = MINUS 15%, Second DAY = 1O % MORE, After Day Two
= - 15% each day (NO LATE
- HOMEWORK ACCEPTED, HOMEWORK COLLECTION IS RANDOM)
- Grades will be posted on your SPAN account continually throughout the year.
EXAMPLE GRADE CALCULATION
| TASK |
POINT VALUE |
POINTS EARNED |
| CH 1 Quiz |
25 |
22 |
| Tragedy of Commons activity |
50 |
48 |
| Salinization Lab |
100 |
96 |
| Pop Quiz |
5 |
2 |
| Ch 2 Quiz |
20 |
19 |
| Unit One Test |
150 |
144 |
| Environmental Timeline HW |
20 |
20 |
TOTALS |
370 |
351 |
| |
Current Grade |
94.86 |
Each task type will vary in point value, For example, the next test might be 200 points. Tests will be the larger component, about 60% of grade.
CLASS RULES
** BE SURE TO READ SCHOOL RULES IN HANDBOOK **
** BE SURE TO READ LABS RULES AND SIGN VERIFICATION**
1. Be in your assigned seat and QUIET when the bell rings. If you are
not in your seat when the bell rings, you are
tardy. (See tardy policy).
2. Attend to personal needs (incl. hair brushing, make-up, bathroom)
BEFORE entering class.
3. Have materials out and be ready to work when the bell rings. Bring
all required materials to class every day.
4. Food, drink (including water bottles), and candy are not allowed in
class.
5. Class is dismissed by the teacher, not the bell. All lab stations
and desks are to be cleaned before leaving the room and all chairs neatly
(and quietly)pushed in.
6. Please keep room clean and orderly. Do not write on anything except
your paper. Throw trash away at the end of the period.
7. Always pay attention to and follow directions.
8. RAISE your hand to be recognized and only talk when given permission.
Talking without permission is disrespectful and noisy, and will result
in a detention if first warning is not heeded.
9. Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat during class.
10. Do science work only during class. Other work will be confiscated
and points deducted.
11. Please be respectful to everything and everyone in the classroom.
This includes being quiet, neat, and clean.Disrespect will result in disciplinary
action..
12. Cheating WILL NOT be tolerated, and will be dealt with severely.
No wandering eyes and stretching necks during a test. Collaborate on work
ONLY when instructed to do so.
13. Be attentive and involved. Sleeping or having your head down is not
permitted.
14. FOLLOW ALL SAFETY RULES. DO NOT ABUSE SAFETY EQUIPMENT. VIOLATIONS
ARE DEALT WITH SEVERELY.
15. Label all work correctly. Name, date, period, title.
16. MUSIC PLAYERS and PHONES OFF, OUT OF SIGHT
Examples of possible Discipline Steps (sequence depends on specific violation)
? warning, detentions, parental notification, isolation from classmates,
referred to guidance, removed to hallway seat, removed from class by administrator
and administrative referral.
COURSE OUTLINE
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