Earth Space and Environmental Science – Semester – 2 (Environmental Science) (No Lab)

Earth Space and Environmental Science – Semester – 2 (Environmental Science) (No Lab)

Recommended Grade Level: 9 - 12

Students study about the importance of our environment – the factors affecting it and why it’s important to carefully watch it. The course delves into the effect of environmental degradation on ecosystems and biodiversity – and the impact on humans. They also learn about the political factors affecting environment sanity and the need to carefully evaluate the benefits vs. tradeoffs for various commercial activities.

Credit: 0.5

Prerequisites:

Middle School Science

Syllabus:

Section 1: Introduction 

Objectives:

• Introduction to Science
• Collecting & Measuring Data
• Introduction to Environmental Science
• How Ethical beliefs affect the global climate and the efforts to aid reverse global warming like Going Green
• How personal Ethics affects the Environment
• Careers in Environmental Science

Lessons:

• Introduction to Science
• Data and Its Measurement
• Representing Data
• Introduction to Environmental Science
• Human Impact on the Environment
• Global Warming and Going Green
• Careers in Environmental Science 

Section 2: The Science Behind Environmental Science

Objectives:

• The Foundations of Environmental Science
• Thinking from a System’s Perspective
• Introduction to the Concept of Energy
• Laws of Conservation of Energy

Lessons:

• Foundations of Environmental Science
• Systems Thinking
• Energy in Environmental Science
• Mechanical & Thermal Energy
• Conservation of Energy

 

Section 3: Biology & Environmental Science

Objectives:

• Populations and their dynamics
• Factors that affect biodiversity
• Sustainable practices & their implementation
• Global warming and its impact on the Environment

Lessons:

• Population Dynamics
• Biodiversity and Population Growth
• Sustainability
• Global Warming

Section 4: Case Studies

Objectives:

• What is DDT and what impact did DDT have on the Environment?
• Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” and its impact on policy
• Environmental issues related to the marine world
• What is MPRSA and how did it affect the wellbeing of the marine world?

Lessons:

• DDT
• Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring
• Protecting Our Marine World
• Impact of MPRSA

Section 5: Politics, Policy, Ethics & Leaders

Objectives:

• Which countries pollute the most and which countries suffer as a result
• How can countries make the environment a priority
• The role politics plays when it comes to environmental protection
• The role economics plays when it comes to environmental protection
• What can happen when our ethics guide our policies on the environment
• What role does the EPA play in the United States
• What are some of the key environmental initiatives pursued by various countries
• Who are some leaders who are risking their lives to protect the environment

Lessons:

• Who Pollutes, Who Pays
• Making Environment a Priority
• The Politics of Environmental Protection
• Economics & The Environment
• Ethics & The Environment
• Role of the EPA
• Environmental Initiatives
• Thought Leaders