Course title
AP Environmental Science A/B - AP Environmental Science/Lab A/BPre-requisite
N/ACourse description
AP Environmental Scienceprovides two semesters of material designed to offer students a solid foundation in introductory college-level environmental science. The course is structured around the four big ideas and the sevenscience practices. Each semester is divided into four units with two or three lessons in each unit. Those lessons are further divided into several activities in which students read; acquire content knowledge through interactives; complete written practice; take quizzes; and summative assessments. The courseprovides students with the scientific principles; concepts; and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the naturalworld. The course draws upon various disciplines; including geology; biology; environmental studies; environmental science; chemistry; and geography in order to explore a variety of environmental topics. Topics explored include natural systems on Earth; biogeochemical cycles; the nature of matter and energy; the flow of matter and energy through living systems; populations; communities; ecosystems; ecological pyramids; renewable and nonrenewable resources; land use; biodiversity; pollution; conservation; sustainability; and human impacts on the environment. AP Environmental Science prepares students for the AP exam and for further study in science; health sciences; or engineering.The AP Environmental Science course provides a learning experience focused onallowing students to develop their critical thinking skills and cognitive strategies.Scientific inquiry skills are embedded in the direct instruction; wherein students learn to ask scientific questions; deconstruct claims; form and test hypotheses; and use logic and evidence to draw conclusions about the concepts. Students perform hands-on labs and projects that give them insight into the nature of science and help them understand environmental concepts; as well as how evidence can be obtained to supportthose concepts. Virtual lab activities enable students to engage in investigations that would otherwise require long periods of observation at remote locations and to explore simulations that enable environmental scientists to test predictions. During both hands-on and virtual labs; students form hypotheses; collect; analyze; and manipulate data; and report their findings and conclusions. Throughout this course; students are given an opportunity to understand how biology; earth science; and physical science are applied to the study of the environment and how technology and engineering are contributing solutions for studying and creating a sustainable biosphere.Robust scaffolding; rigorous instruction; relevant material; and regular active learning opportunities ensure that students can achieve mastery of the skills necessary to excel on the AP exam.
School country
United StatesSchool state
MarylandSchool city
BaltimoreSchool / district Address
N/ASchool zip code
N/ARequested competency code
Lab ScienceDate submitted
Approved
YesApproved competency code
- LADV
- Advanced science
- LINT
- Integrated science