WHS AP Environmental Science Summer Preparation Assignment

Transcription

1 WHS AP Environmental Science Summer Preparation Assignment Welcome future APES students! This course combines the disciplines of biology, chemistry, earth science and physics to investigate global environmental issues. We will discover how the Earth s systems function and how humans have affected our planet. We will also examine our personal consumption habits and learn ways to be responsible global citizens in the face of serious environmental issues. This is a college level course and you will be responsible for learning vast amounts of information before the AP exam in May. I will assist you along the way, but it will be your responsibility to take notes, study and learn your vocabulary. We also work on the assumption that you have a general science so keep yourself organized by constantly reviewing the information and getting yourself familiar with some of the basic concepts of environmental science and your own consumption habits. I look forward to meeting all you in fall. Have a wonderful summer break. General Guidelines: Read the directions for each section carefully! Each section should be clearly labeled. Each section must be fully completed and typed when specified. All research/information needs to be appropriately cited using APA format. A quick google search will help you with formatting or go to our class website for this information. All the sections must be turned into the shared Google Drive before we meet in the fall. Section 1: Electronic Setup In this course, we will be using technology extensively to help you learn basic content and communicate as scientists in the 21 st century. Complete each of the following tasks to ensure that you are ready to begin on the first day of class! Be prepared for a test within the first two week of school. 1. me using your schoolloop account ( tyang@cuhsd.org) introducing yourself and please let me know the following information: Your name Any special hobbies or interests you have Why you have chosen to take APES Any concerns you have for next year Look for my invitation to access the shared google drive folder for submitting assignments. Visit the class website and on the right had side you will see a section for chapter 1 and 2 reading. Read these chapters and complete the accompanying assignment. a. Read pages 1-24

2 b. Answer Review questions #1-10 (page 25) c. Answer Critical Thinking questions #1-9 (pages 25 and 26) d. Perform the Ecological Footprint Analysis (pages 25 and 26) e. Read chapter 2 and answer the review and critical thinking questions at the end of the chapter. (pages 47 48) f. Submit your completed section 1 assignment into the google drive : apes turn in -> summer assignment -> section 1 g. Make sure to title your file as such. Period_Last name_title Section 2: Photo Acronym Collage You are creating an acronym of your name, which includes an environmental concept for each letter of your name. We will be presenting these on the first day of class so try to use PowerPoint so that I can compile the slides. Submit your completed section 2 assignment into the google drive : apes turn in -> summer assignment -> section 2 Example: T: Tectonic Movement I: Innovation M: Mercury Poisoning Section 3: Respond to the following in a paragraph or two: What are the environmental impacts of shipping fresh produce over long distances? What are the health benefits/health costs of having a wide variety of fresh produce available at all times? Is it worth it? Submit your completed section 3 assignment into the google drive : apes turn in -> summer assignment -> section 3

3 Section 4: Watch Home by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and answer the video questions below. Submit your completed section 4 assignment into the google drive : apes turn in -> summer assignment -> section 4 Go to: The link to the video is: 1. Describe the conditions on early Earth. What happened to the carbon that poisoned the atmosphere? How did the agricultural revolution change the Earth? 4. How has Earth changed in the last 60 years since the use of oil has become more widespread? 5. What is most of the grain in the US used for? 6. What led to the dramatic decline in the biodiversity of agricultural crop species? 7. How many kilos of water does it take to produce 1 kilo of beef? 8. How have cars shaped the way housing is laid out in the US and other developed countries? 9. How much has the volume of international trade increased since 1950? 10. What are your thoughts on how the video portrays Dubai? Is it self-sustainable? 11. Rainforests are cut down to make farmland for which products/crops? 1 What makes the growth of Lagos different from how most other cities grow? 1 Where does the water from Greenland s melting ice sheet go? 14. Why are the glaciers of mountains so important for the people in the lowlands? 15. What hope does the video offer at the end?

4 This video project covers many topics that we will discuss in APES this year. Give three specific examples that are portrayed in the video about each of the APES concepts listed below: APES Concept All living things are linked 1. Video Examples Developed vs Developing Countries 1. Faster and Faster. Human Innovation and Technology 1. The Carbon Cycle 1. Climatic Balance 1. Shortage of Resources 1. After watching the film, what topics are you most looking forward to learning about this year? What questions do you have?

5 Section 5: Current Events In environmental science, it is important to know about current issues in the news. One of my goals is to familiarize you with environmental issues that are important to our community, country and world. We will be reading and discussing a variety of current events throughout the school year as well. Over the course of the summer, find 3 recent articles related to environmental science. All articles should be current (during the past year) and taken from a reliable source. The sources may be scientific publications, popular magazines, newspapers etc. Try the NY times (especially Tuesday), Washington Post, National Geographic, Discover Magazine, Natural History Magazine, Treehugger.com, etc. I do not care if you use a paper or online copy of your article as long as it is property cited. Each article should relate to a different topic chosen from the following list. As the year progresses you will be able to cover all of the topics! Environmental Law Water pollution Nonrenewable energy Ecosystems Climate Evolution Preserving our biodiversity Population Cities and waste Geology Renewable growth Energy Food/agriculture Air pollution Human Health Forest or Rangeland Article Analysis Directions: Include all of the following components and clearly identify each component with headings. Each analysis should be either typed or very neatly written in blue or black ink. Each article should be on its own paper. Submit your completed section 5 assignment into the google drive: apes turn in -> summer assignment -> section 5 Title of the Article Summary: brief summary that tells me what the article is about. Analysis: a. Points of view does the article have more than one side/pov? If so what are they? b. Bias Is this article biased in any way? In your opinion, does the author give a positive, negative, or neutral view of the environmental science topic? c. Controversy: Is there any controversy surrounding this article? If so briefly explain it. d. Your perspective: State your perspective on this news article based on your personal knowledge of the topic and your reading of the article. e. Effect on you: How does this topic relate to you or your affect you? Attach the article either a physical copy of the article or a working web address must be included. (you can bring in a physical copy at the beginning of the school year) Section 6: Consider hiking through Lexington Reservoir, Vasona Park, San Antonio Park, Shoreline Park, or along the Los Gatos Creek trail and see what natures has to offer. Look at how humans have influence the area.