Course Syllabus

APES Course Syllabus 2024/2025

 Room # 202 Ms. Weddle

Welcome to AP Environmental Science!  My goal is that this course will be an exciting and enriching class for you as a student and as a member of the larger global community.  It will be guided by the standards set forth by College Board in preparation for the AP exam in May, but will also be guided by your innate sense of wonder with a focus on making personal connections to the concepts taught on a local level.  This class will differ greatly from other science classes you have taken in that it is fully applied science taught from a project based approach that partners with community organizations, your school administration, and local stakeholders.  

 

Course Overview (From College Board):



Expectations and Respect:

THE MOST IMPORTANT CORE VALUE  IN THIS CLASS IS RESPECT.  DISRESPECT TOWARD YOUR CLASSMATES, TEACHER, OR OUR COMMUNITY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. As we cover material we will consistently consider economic and social consequences as they relate to environmental issues in a local and global context. Cultural awareness is an essential part of navigating these topics diplomatically.  Our class will function as a community.

 

Our class will observe a respectful tone and cooperative spirit.  Guidelines for civil discourse are as follows:

  1. Listen to understand
  2. Assume positive intent and avoid making assumptions about what classmates are saying
  3. Disagree with curiosity and questions
  4. Avoid interrupting
  5. Communicate honestly and diplomatically





Class Structure:  

 

  1. Assignments, Daily Work, and Labs:
    1. Canvas will be updated daily.  It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to check Canvas DAILY and submit work by the beginning of the next class period.
    2. Flipped Classroom: Bozemanscience.com and textbooks will be used in lieu of lectures.  You will be expected to outline and/or graphically organize notes on topics as they are assigned and take embedded quizzes by using a combination of these videos and your online textbook.  Study folders will be introduced at the beginning of the year (more on this later).
    3. Study Folders and Vocabulary:  Each unit you are responsible for creating a study notebook  and vocabulary list to be stored for the remainder of the year and to be used to prepare for the AP test.  
    4. Current Events:  Every student will be expected to contribute to current event discussions.  Written Current Events summary pages will also be required by those presenting and will be submitted digitally in Canvas. In our digital learning environment participation in discussions and written summaries will be used to assess participation.
    5. Labs and Projects Labs and collaborative projects are an essential part of this course.  Your lab experiences will certainly look different than they have in the past.  Thankfully the local environment is our classroom. Stay tuned for how we will utilize our own yards and neighborhoods for lab experiences.  

Assessments: Tests will cover material covered in labs, activities, discussions, and in the textbook.  All tests are completed on Canvas.  If you do not have your school issued computer charged and ready on test day you will receive a zero on the test.  

    1. Cheating is PROHIBITED.  If you are found cheating you will take a zero on that exam.  
    2. You must bring your SCHOOL ISSUED COMPUTER to test days. If you fail to bring your computer makeup will not be offered. 

Final or Class Projects 

A final project may be assigned in lieu of a final exam.  Details to follow.


  • AP TEST:  Credit for the APES test varies by school.  Check your college of choice to see what this test will award you if you score well. The AP Test has been redesigned this year.  We will discuss this further in class.  

 

Dear Students,

As a student in this class you will be investigating the interconnectedness of life on Earth through the eyes of one seeking solutions to some of the most challenging issues facing the human population.  We will take an in-depth look at the basics of environmental science so that we may understand them on a level that allows us to propose solutions.  In order to get the most out of this course, I have set some goals as an instructor and for our class:

  1. We will take a local and global focus.We will be venturing into the field many times during this year.  While global issues are instructive and fascinating it is important for you to own your learning by exploring your local ecosystem.  I will be providing you with many opportunities both in class and outside of class to get out and explore Monroe County.

Engaging in the field. Our community offers many opportunities to engage in the beautiful surroundings we are fortunate to live within.  Opportunities may include cleanups, Monroe Lake programs, IU events, community events, state park visits or any other opportunity that presents itself throughout the year.

Take action, Dig deep!  At the end of this course you will be proposing a project that can be implemented at home, school, or in our community.  The project will challenge you to apply the concepts of environmental science to an attainable and relevant personal project.  The format of the project can take many forms and is up to you individually.This project has NO limits, but must make your heart happy and have a strong connection to our curriculum.  Further guidelines will be introduced as the course continues.

Lead by Example!  As students in this course you are leaders in your school and community.  Each of us will develop a set of habits/behaviors that are more sustainable this year.  As a team of teachers and students in this classroom we will be working toward a more comprehensive sustainability plan for our building.   You as individuals will shape the future of your world.  Why not start now?  Together we will generate ideas, test them, innovate, and implement until we have a working classroom/building model that makes a lesser impact on our environment. You CAN make a difference!  Here’s to a great year!