Environmental Science and Society -
Environmental Science and Society Honor
BASIC INFORMATION
The earth is a complex system in which living organisms are dependent on the nonliving environment and each other. This course will cover the science of how ecosystems function and are interconnected globally. In doing so, we will focus extensively on ecology and climate science while recognizing that humans play a major role in the functioning of ecosystems, which has effects on both wildlife communities and human communities. This course will interweave the concepts of human impacts on the environment, environmental policy and activism, and environmental justice with the ecosystem science. Throughout the year students will work collaboratively to carry out experiments, conduct and present research, design and execute peer-education projects, and learn about community and political activism. Individual assessments will include reflective essays and quizzes. A capstone activism project will be completed by each student or small group of students for an environmental issue they care strongly about.
Grade Level: 12
Number of Meetings per week: 4
Full year or half year: Full Year
Number of Credits: 1
Prerequisite/helpful classes: Physics I, Chemistry I, Biology I
TYPICAL DAY
A typical day in Environmental Science and Society may start with a discussion of an article or current news story and then likely move into working in groups or pairs on projects. There are occasional lectures to introduce science concepts. We also periodically watch documentaries that spur discussion on issues.
HOMEWORK / HONORS ASSIGNMENTS
For homework, students are usually assigned an article to read and reflect on once a week (sometimes less frequently). There are occasions where students may need to work on projects outside of class if they have not been productive during class time. Students taking the course for Honors credit will typically read and reflect on more articles or articles that cover a topic with more detail or depth than the article assigned to students taking the course for Standard credit.
SIGNIFICANT PROJECT
Students built temporary "exhibit halls" to display in the Atrium to teach other students about the diversity of coral reefs and tropical rainforests and to educate viewers about the impacts that human activities are having on these ecosystems.
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS CLASS?
Students who want to focus on the intersection of humanity and the environment and prefer a less traditional approach (project and discussion-based learning) should take Environmental Science and Society.