Environmental+Systems

=**Environmental Systems**=

=Welcome to ES - ( Environmental Systems)! =

Instructor: Jose Ayala Phone: 633-9006 x309 Tutoring: M,T,W -3:30-4:30; ALL days before school


 * Essential Course Materials Needed:**
 * Scientific calculator (highly recommended!)
 * 2 spiral notebooks with pockets to keep handouts, assignments, lab data, etc or 2 composition books
 * Textbook
 * Any other supplies needed by students and/or requested by instructor

Environmental systems is an Upper Division (11th-12th grade) High School level interdisciplinary course ; it incorporates a wide variety of topics from different areas of study such as the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences. Yet there are several major unifying constructs, or themes, that cut across the many topics included in the study of environmental science. The following unifying themes provide the foundation for the structure of the Environmental Systems course. In Environmental Systems, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methodology during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving skills. Students will study a variety of topics that include: biotic and abiotic factors in habitats, ecosystems and biomes, interrelationships among resources and an environmental system, sources and flow of energy through an environmental system, relationships between carrying capacity and changes in populations and ecosystems, and changes in environments both natural and man made. Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates some concepts from physical and biological sciences, (including, but not limited to, Ecology, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, and Geography) to the study of the environment, and the solutions of environmental problems. Environmental science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems. This course is primarily hands-on and will be student directed in terms of learning the application of the scientific method and be able to effectively communicate results and justify conclusions to peers and wider audiences as needed.
 * General Course Description of Environmental Systems**

As a laboratory science course, student participation in classroom laboratory activities is required. In addition, students will be expected to commit a portion of their time to participate in various activities “out in the field” throughout the year. Students will be instructed in various field techniques to quantitatively collect and analyze data.


 * 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.

   The student will be expected to:  1. apply knowledge of the environment to everyday life;  2. use critical thinking, curiosity, openness to new ideas, and skepticism;  3. develop an awareness of careers in the field of Environmental Science;  4. apply critical thinking to solving problems and making decisions in a real-world context;  5. communicate effectively- written and orally; and  6. demonstrate mastery of basic Environmental Science skills and concepts.  
 * 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.
 * Objectives: **

**Classroom Procedures**

I have established a few simple procedures that we’ll use each day during class. As a student, it is your responsibility to learn and perform these procedures consistently

All school wide rules are enforced in class. Safety rules for labs and field work will be enforced by me at all times.
 * Rules **

**Entering the Classroom procedures**

As soon as you enter the room: read any information on the white board pertaining to your class. You should then get anything you need (pencils sharpened, page from workbook, etc.). Sitting or congregating at lab/sink work- stations is not allowed unless one is authorized doing an experiment by teacher.

Once class has started there will be no moving

around the room unless permitted by the instructor.

**Leaving the Classroom**

The bell does not dismiss the class, I do. Do not pack up until I dismiss the class. Do not leave your seat until I dismiss the class. If we have a few minutes free before the bell rings, students are not allowed to leave their seats to wait at the door or visit others. All chairs must be returned to proper place, trash off of tables, floor thrown in trash can, personal bags,etc. picked up and taken

**Warm-up**

There will be information on the front board each day as students enter class. It is the responsibility of each student to quickly read the information as they enter the classroom to insure that they have all materials that will be needed for class. Often there will be instructions listed on the board for an activity that must be started as soon as the bell rings or there may be a short quiz on the previous class topic or activity.

Any handouts that you will need on any given day will be found on-line (prior announcement by teacher) or passed out by teacher.
 * Picking up Materials for the Day **

**Handing in Homework**

1. Homework will be handed in by you placing it in the appropriate class box/pocket holder in the front of the room or submitted electronically no later than the beginning of class—OTHERWISE it will be considered late-even if turned in later but during class and will earn a max of a 50 % max for a grade.

2. ALL Late homework (HARDCOPY) will go into a “Late Box” by My desk.

3. ALL student work to be turned in electronically or on paper MUST have a proper heading otherwise points will be deducted..

When you hear an announcement over the intercom, please “freeze” right where you are and stop talking until you’re given permission to continue with your previous tasks.
 * Intercom Announcements **

**Substitute Teacher takes my class** When a substitute teacher is here, it is of utmost importance that you are on your best behavior. 1. Your instructions for what to do in class will be on the board. You are not given an option.

2. You will be expected to do your assigned work without any prompting or redirection from your substitute teacher. Turn in work according to procedure and begin other work and or reading on your own until class is dismissed.

3. You will be expected to behave perfectly in my absence. If I receive a note that states otherwise, there will be consequences for that behavior for either specific students named or entire class in no students named.

4. There will often be a quiz the day I return. This quiz will be over the work you did the day(s) I was out.

**Respecting School Property**

Your classroom is my living room! I like a nice environment. 1.Please treat your desk and all items/materials in the classroom better than you would treat your own possessions. YOU ARE A GUEST IN MY ROOM!

2. No one will be dismissed from class if there is trash anywhere except in the trash can(s). HELP EACH OTHER!

3. Please insure that your desk is in its proper place before you are dismissed. BE CONSIDERATE!

4. If something breaks, please tell me when it happens not at end of class as an afterthought. BE RESPONSIBLE!

5. I may change procedures as needed.

6. All procedures will be reviewed as a class.


 * Grading Scale **

Projects/Quarter Exams 20% Tests-30% Quizzes/Labs--15% Classwork-20% Homework---10% Participation5%

**Headings for Papers and Projects**

1. All loose paper work must be properly identified.

2. Each paper must have the following information neatly written or typed:

a. your first and last name—top right corner i.e. **John Boy**

b. your class name and period – under your name i.e. **ES 4**

c. the date work was assigned and due- under “b” i.e. **9/4 -- 9/6** (do not change this format!) d. a short title or description of assignment 1.e. **Review Q’s pg 56 1-10**
 * __Course Textbook__ **

Every student will be issued one textbook for in class use ONLY as a reference. NO Textbook will be allowed to go home. You alone are responsible for keeping the text in good condition and returned to shelf when done. Electronic/Web sources will be supplied for student use and for reference for this class on any assigned homework assignment.


 * __Possible Types of Assignments__ **

The following is a list of possible types of assignments you might encounter this year

//__Homework__// Our time in class is limited, so completing homework is essential to keeping up with the content and concepts being covered. Sometimes the homework will be for credit, sometimes it will not. All assignments are equally important.

//__Projects and/or Presentations__// You will be expected to complete a project (CBP) with presentation once per quarter/semester. These can take several forms, such as a research paper, brochure, display board, public service announcement, etc. You will receive a rubric and directions when the project is assigned.

//__Laboratory Activities__// Every student is expected to actively participate in all activities in a safe manner. Students demonstrating inappropriate or disruptive behavior will be removed from the classroom environment and receive no credit for the activity and may also result in disciplinary action.

//__Writing Assignments__// A portion of assessing content mastery in Environmental Systems contains Free Response Prompts (FRP’s) where you will have to write a brief essay. Some may be done in class others may be assigned for homework.Electronic submission to www.turnitin.com will be required for plagiarism checking.

//__Field Investigations and/or Field Trips*__// Going out in the field to do scientific investigations, measurements, or observations is ESSENTIAL to this course. Due to limited class time these field experiences might occur outside of normal school hours (such as after school or on the weekend). Your instructor will try to give you as much advance notice as possible in order to plan ahead so that you can attend. This might require talking to your employer to reschedule work hours or missing an afternoon athletic practice. Your instructor will be happy to contact employers and/or coaches/directors if they require additional information.

//* All off campus field experiences and field trip participation requires a signed permission slip from a parent/guardian.//


 * __Attendance & Late Work:__ **

With the exception of excused absences, you are expected to be in class on time each day. All work must be submitted by the beginning of class for full credit,

Because some laboratory activities are more complicated than others to set up (or are sometimes time-dependent), you will not be able to make up those activities. The instructor may (but not always) provide you with an alternative assignment such as a reading, short paper, independent investigation, etc. as remediation.

Sometimes events happen that prevent you from handing in work on time. Please communicate with the instructor if additional time is needed on an assignment or a project PRIOR to the due date. Depending on the circumstances, you may or may not be granted an extension. Otherwise, late work can only receive a maximum of 70% of the credit possible (refer to the Science Department Late Work Policy).


 * __Academic Honesty & Integrity__ **

Collaboration is an important aspect of science – so is the prevention and avoidance of plagiarism. As an Environmental Systems student, you are expected to do your own work. There will be times in which sharing data is necessary, and you will be told clearly in advance when this is acceptable. While you might be presented the opportunity to work on various assignments with a classmate, you are required to produce your own unique work. Copying another person's work (even another student's) and/or ideas is considered plagiarism and will result in any/all offending assignments receiving no credit. Students that allow others to copy their work will also receive no credit.

1. Students who cheat and/or assist in cheating on a test or major assignment will receive a grade of zero and be written up with a detention referral.

2. Student personal graphing/scientific calculators will not be used on tests/quizzes unless they’re memories are cleared by the teacher immediately before the test/quiz.. Calculator use will not be allowed on all tests.

3. Students are not to copy any portion of another student’s class/homework or lab. Data should only be collected on lab day. Collaboration does not mean copying. Each graded assignment should reflect individual effort. ALL assigned researched based papers must be submitted to [|www.turnitin.com]  electronically for analysis of plagiarism and is reported to instructor for final assignment grade determination. If plagiarism (or facilitation of plagiarism) by a student proves to be an ongoing issue in class, the instructor will contact parents/guardians, counselors, and administrators to alert them of the problem.

Please refer to your student handbook for more information about plagiarism and academic honesty.


 * __Tentative Schedule__ **

The following represents a tentative schedule of the course. The schedule and course pacing may be changed/adjusted at the discretion of the instructor. Additional labs may be used to supplement those listed below.

__FALL Q 1 – 9 WEEKS__
 * Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability**
 * Environmental Worldview WS/Discussion
 * Ecological Footprint Activity
 * Lab: Power of Doubling
 * Lab: Tragedy of the Goldfish


 * Ecosystems: What Are They, and How Do They Work?**
 * Biomes Poster (II)
 * Lab: Grocery Store-d Energy
 * Quadrat Sampling Practice
 * Park Fieldtrip
 * Population Sampling Math
 * GPP vs. NPP Activity
 * Biogeochemical Cycles
 * A Voyage to Mars Activity

__FALL Q 2 – 9 WEEKS__


 * Biodiversity and Evolution**
 * Lab: Parking Lot Diversity - Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index
 * Owl Pellets


 * Biodiversity, Species Interactions, and Population Control.**


 * The Human Population and Its Impact**
 * Cemetery field trip
 * Cemetery project Presentations
 * Demographic Transition Activity
 * Population Math Practice

__SPRING Q 3 – 9 WEEKS__


 * Sustaining Biodiversity: The Species Approach**
 * Endangered, Extinct, and Invasive Species Posters
 * Video: Cane Toad
 * San Antonio River Project: Dilemma In Raparian Management
 * Project Presentations


 * Sustaining Terrestrial Biodiversity: The Ecosystem Approach**
 * Zoo Exhibit Project


 * Food, Soil, and Pest Management**
 * How Much Land Does It Take Activity
 * Visualizing Arable Land Activity
 * Soil Testing Protocols


 * Geology and Renewable Materials**
 * If Rocks Could Talk Project – Mineral/Gem/Ore Research
 * Cookie Mining Activity

__SPRING Q 4 – 9 WEEKS__
 * Nonrenewable Energy. **


 * Research Energy Types Using NEED Booklets


 * Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy **


 * Lab: Energy Efficiency
 * Alternative energy project
 * Earth Day Campus Clean-Up


 * Environmental Hazards and Human Heath **


 * LD50 Lab - Mung Beans & Salt Water (III, VI)


 * Water Pollution**
 * Reading about Water Testing
 * Water Web Quest Activity
 * Water Testing of SA River & Calculate WQI
 * APES Scrapbook Project
 * Lab: Oil Eating Bacteria
 * SA River Water Testing & Calculate WQI
 * Lab: Sewage Treatment


 * Solid and Hazardous Waste**
 * Lab: Personal Waste Inventory
 * Video: Avatar
 * Letter to Representative Activity