
The goal of the AP Environmental Science 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 human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them.
Environmental science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas of study. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. The following themes provide a foundation for the structure of the AP Environmental Science course.
1. Science is a process.
Science is a method of learning more about the world.
Science constantly changes the way we understand the world.
2. 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.
3. The Earth itself is one interconnected system.
Natural systems change over time and space.
Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances.
4. Humans alter natural systems.
Humans 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.
5. Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.
Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions.
6. Human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainable systems.
A suitable combination of conservation and development is required.
Management of common resources is essential.
This workshop covers the lab/field trips/activities needed to teach APES. The workshop also covers the APES classroom and the nature of the APES exam. Additional, there are four field trips: a soil workshop, a tour of the Ryegate wood chip electrical generating plant, a class and a tour of the STJ Sewer Plant, and an outdoor class covering easy exercises for forestry field work.
Please note: Schedule is subject to change without notice. Please check online for updated information and details.