Course title
1477 or 1478Pre-requisite
2 years high school scienceCourse description
Course Description
Environmental Science offers an overview of how the various components of the earth interact with each other. It also explores the role humans play in these interactions. The topics covered include human populations and needs; energy resources; effects of pollution; and sustainability practices to reduce human impact. Students will participate in hands-on activities and labs that utilize critical thinking skills and the scientific method.
State Standards
1. Formulate predictions; questions; or hypotheses based on observations. Evaluate appropriate resources. [S1C1]
2. Design and conduct controlled investigations. [S1C2]
3. Evaluate experimental design; analyze data to explain results and propose further investigations. Design models. [S1C3]
4. Communicate results of investigations. [S1C4]
5. Describe how human curiosity and needs have influenced science; impacting the quality of life worldwide. [S2C1P1]
6. Analyze how specific changes in science have affected society. [S2C1P3]
7. Explain the process by which accepted ideas are challenged or extended by scientific innovation.[S2C2P2]
8. Describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of theories. [S2C2P4]
9. Evaluate how the processes of natural ecosystems affect; and are affected by; humans. [S3C1P1]
10. Describe the environmental effects of the following natural and/or human-caused hazards:
? flooding
? drought
? earthquakes
? fires
? pollution
? extreme weather [S3C1P2]
11. Assess how human activities (e.g.; clear cutting; water management; tree thinning) can affect the potential for hazards. [S3C1P3]
12. Evaluate the following factors that affect the quality of the environment:
? urban development
? smoke
? volcanic dust [S3C1P4]
13. Evaluate the effectiveness of conservation practices and preservation techniques on environmental quality and biodiversity. [S3C1P5]
14. Analyze the costs; benefits; and risks of various ways of dealing with the following needs or problems:
? various forms of alternative energy
? storage of nuclear waste
? abandoned mines
? greenhouse gases
? hazardous wastes [S3C2P1]
15. Recognize the importance of basing arguments on a thorough understanding of the core concepts and principles of science and technology. [S3C2P2]
16. Support a position on a science or technology issue. [S3C2P3]
17. Analyze the use of renewable and nonrenewable resources in Arizona:
? water
? land
? soil
? minerals
? air [S3C2P4]
18. Evaluate methods used to manage natural resources (e.g.; reintroduction of wildlife; fire ecology). [S3C2P5]
19. Describe biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors that affect human populations. [S3C3P2]
20. Describe how organisms are influenced by a particular combination of biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) factors in an environment. [S4C3P2]
21. Assess how the size and the rate of growth of a population are determined by birth rate; death rate; immigration; emigration; and carrying capacity of the environment. [S4C3P3]
22. Diagram the following biogeochemical cycles in an ecosystem:
? water
? carbon
? nitrogen [S4C5P3]
23. Diagram the energy flow in an ecosystem through a food chain. [S4C5P4]
24. Describe substances based on their physical properties. [S5C1P1]
25. Describe substances based on their chemical properties. [S5C1P2]
26. Determine the rate of change of a quantity (e.g.; rate of erosion; rate of reaction; rate of growth; velocity). [S5C2P1]
27. Describe various ways in which matter and energy interact (e.g.; photosynthesis; phase change). [S5C5P1]
28. Identify ways materials are cycled within the Earth system (i.e.; carbon cycle; water cycle; rock cycle). [S6C1P1]
29. Demonstrate how dynamic processes such as weathering; erosion; sedimentation; metamorphism; and orogenesis relate to redistribution of materials within the Earth system. [S6C1P2]
30. Explain how the rock cycle is related to plate tectonics. [S6C1P3]
31. Demonstrate how the hydrosphere links the biosphere; lithosphere; cryosphere; and atmosphere. [S6C1P4]
32. Describe factors that impact current and future water quantity and quality including surface; ground; and local water issues. [S6C1P5]
33. Analyze methods of reclamation and conservation of water. [S6C1P6]
34. Explain how the geochemical processes are responsible for the concentration of economically valuable minerals and ores in Arizona and worldwide. [S6C1P7]
35. Describe the flow of energy to and from the Earth. [S6C2P1]
36. Explain the mechanisms of heat transfer (convection; conduction; radiation) among the atmosphere; land masses; and oceans. [S6C2P2]
37. Distinguish between weather and climate. [S6C2P3]
38. Demonstrate the relationship between the Earth?s internal convective heat flow and plate tectonics. [S6C2P4]
39. Demonstrate the relationships among earthquakes; volcanoes; mountain ranges; mid-oceanic ridges; deep sea trenches; and tectonic plates. [S6C2P5]
40. Analyze how weather is influenced by both natural and artificial Earth features (e.g.; mountain ranges; bodies of water; cities; air pollution). [S6C2P14]
41. Explain the causes and/or effects of climate changes over long periods of time (e.g.; glaciation; desertification; solar activity; greenhouse effect). [S6C2P16]
42. Investigate the effects of acid rain; smoke; volcanic dust; urban development; and greenhouse gases; on climate change over various periods of time. [S6C2P17]
43. Interpret a geologic time scale. [S6C3P4]
44. Describe how life on Earth has influenced the evolution of the Earth?s systems. [S6C3P7]
Approximately one formal lab/week will be completed. Additional lab/hands-on activities will also be completed.
Lab Write-Ups to include the following:
1- Objective/Hypothesis- Describe or provide a hypothesis or objectives addressed based upon background given.
2- Lab Procedure/Activity- Given to students to show how to perform lab activity.
3- Data- Quantitative data to include table with correct titles; labels; units; measurements; and sample calculation provided. Qualitative data to include specific descriptions and inferences based upon such.
4- Conclusion- Hypothesis/Objective restated. Support conclusion with data. Answer any conclusion questions within lab.
5- Evaluation- List weaknesses of lab and activity; how data is affected and how to conduct lab in order to avoid such weaknesses. Answer any evaluation questions within the lab.
Example Lab:
Background: You work as a soil specialist with the Smith County Soil Conservation District. You are trying to help Ms. Norton; a local resident; solve an agricultural problem. Ms. Norton has found that she must water her vegetable garden very often to keep it healthy. As a result her family?s water bills have skyrocketed! Ms. Norton and her family may have to give up their garden project because of the added expense.
You realize that the water is probably draining out of the garden soil too quickly. In order to solve this problem you need to find out how much water the soil can hold. You visit her garden and collect several soil samples.
Materials:
250mL beaker eyedropper balance
5 g compost filter paper 5g sawdust
heat-safe container funnel 50g soil sample
5g dry chopped grass clippings heat source stirring rod
tongs clock/watch water
Procedure:
1. Dry your soil sample without burning any of the organic matter. To do this; place about 50g of soil in a heat-safe container. Using tongs; gently heat the sample over a hot plate. Stir the sample occasionally with a stirring rod to ensure that the sample becomes completely dry.
2. After the sample is completely dry; measure out 10g of dry soil. Record the mass in the data table.
3. Dampen a circle of filter paper until it is thoroughly moist but not dripping; Measure the mass of the moist filter paper and record in the data table.
4. Fold the moist filter paper into quarters. Next; open the filter paper to form a cup that fits into a funnel. place the cup-shaped filter paper in the funnel.
5. Place the dry soil sample on the filter paper in the funnel. Place the funnel in the beaker.
6. Add water to the soil sample one drop at a time until all of the soil is moist and water begins to drip out of the funnel. Stop adding water and let the funnel sit for 5 minutes.
7. After 5 minutes; remove the filter paper and moist soil from the funnel; and measure the mass of the paper and soil together. Record their mass in the data table.
8. Calculate the mass of the moistened soil sample by subtracting the mass of the damp filter paper from the mass of completely moistened sample ad the filter paper. Record the mass in a data table.
9. Calculate the amount of water that the soil sample can hold by subtracting the mass of the dry soil sample from the mass of the moistened soil sample. Record the result in a data table.
10. Calculate the percentage of water that your sample held. Divide the mass of water the soil held by the mass of moistened soil sample and multiply by 100. The higher the percentage is; the more water the soil can hold. Record the percentage in a data table.
11. Divide the remaining dry soil sample into three 5g portions. To the first soil sample; add 5g of dry compost. To the second soil sample add 5g of dry chopped grass clippings. To the third soil sample; add 5g of dry sawdust. Measure the mass of each mixed soil sample and record the masses in the data chart.
12. Perform steps 3-10 for each of your mixed soil samples. Record your results in your data table.
Data table:
Sample Contents Mass of dry soil sample
(g) Mass of damp filter paper
(g) Mass of moistened soil sample on filter paper (g) Percent water-holding capacity
(%)
Plain Soil
Soil + compost
Soil + grass clippings
Soil + sawdust
1. Compare your results with the results of your classmates. Which soil samples held the water best? Why?
2. Which of the additional materials improved the soil?s ability to hold water?
3. Based on your results what could you recommend to Ms. Norton to reduce the amount of water her garden needs? Justify your choice by using data to support your response.
School country
United StatesSchool state
ArizonaSchool city
GlendaleSchool / district Address
7650 N 43rd Ave.School zip code
85301Requested competency code
Lab ScienceDate submitted
Approved
YesApproved competency code
- LINT
- Integrated science