Advanced Placement Environmental Science

Instructor: Meredith Meadows

meredith.meadows@fcps.edu

 

Summer Assignment, 2009

 

            The summer assignment will have three parts: article reviews, outdoor activity and reflection, and book selections for first and second semester reading.

 

Part I:  Having a basic understanding of several major environmental issues will provide you with a good foundation for AP environmental science (APES). During the summer break, I would like for you to select and review six articles drawn from the following topics, making sure that you address at least six different topics from the list:

  1. Human population growth
  2. Transgenic species
  3. Non-native (invasive) species
  4. Food production, food safety
  5. Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
  6. Renewable resources (solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric)
  7. Nuclear energy
  8. Air quality
  9. Water quality (surface or groundwater)

10. CO2 and global warming

11. Recycling, waste management

12. Endangered species

13. Deforestation

14. Ozone depletion

15. International treaties dealing with environmental issues (Kyoto Accord)

 

Articles must be at least 5 paragraphs long and should come from sources such as the following: New York Times (On Tuesdays there is a special science section), Washington Post (On Mondays there is a special science section), news magazines (ex. Newsweek), science magazines (Discover, Scientific American, Nature, Science, Smithsonian, National Geographic).  Each article must be at least 4 – 5 paragraphs in length and be no more than 2 years old (2007). 

Each article review will be typed in 12 point font, using Times Roman and double-spaced.  The format is as follows:

 

Article Title:

Date:

Source:

Summary:  In 250-500 words, address the following questions:

-What are the key points made in the article?

-What are the points of view presented about this issue?

-Does the article teach you something new?

-Does it support or refute other information you have heard or read?  Explain.

 

A copy of the article must be attached to the review.  Please be very careful to use your own words.  This assignment will be due at the start of the second week of school and will be 10% of you first quarter grade.  Your reviews should be submitted in a folder or notebook with a cover page with your name.

 

Part II:    Having an appreciation for the outdoors will help you understand the importance of this course.  I would like you to spend 2 hours (or more) camping, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, visiting a state or national park, volunteering for an environmental group or learning center.  Provide documentation of your visit (i.e., a photo of you taken during the activity, or a signed letter from a supervisor on-site with his or her phone number).  Write a two-page reflection (12 point font, double spaced) of your visit, including any observations of wildlife, environmental problems (pollution, etc.), and how you enjoyed the activity.  If you are interested in art, by all means, include a sketch or photographs.

 

Tips: wear sunscreen, bug spray, and bring water and a cell phone.  You may go in a group of students, but each person must write their own reflection.  Don’t hike alone, and make sure an adult knows where you are. If you travel in the morning or late afternoon, you are more likely to see wildlife.

 

Here are some ideas of places to visit:

 

  • Huntley Meadows
  • Great Falls Park
  • Shenandoah Park
  • Rock Creek Park
  • Roosevelt Island
  • Burke Lake Park
  • Mason Neck Park
  • Patuxent Research Refuge

 

Part III:  Each semester you will be required to read a book related to environmental science and write a book review.  The format of the book review will be posted the first week of school.  I would strongly recommend that you select and start reading a book for your first semester review.  To select an appropriate book please go to the Environmental Literacy Council web site at http://www.enviroliteracy.org/article.php/1364.html .  There is a list of books with brief summaries so you can find something that interests you. 

A couple of books that are not listed but you might want to consider:

Collapse by Jared Diamond- If you are interested in archaeology this is an interesting book.  It looks at the environmental factors that lead to the collapse of several major cultures.  Jared Diamond has another book on the list: Guns, Germs and Steel.  If you are a history buff, this is a great read.

Beak of the Finch by Jonathan Weiner would be a good book to read if you are taking AP biology-it discusses a long term study of the evolution of finches on the Galapagos Islands.

The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan is a fascinating book about food production.  It has been on the best seller list for many weeks.  For more information on this book, check out: http://www.michaelpollan.com/omnivore.php

Grading Rubric

Article

#

Article Selection

-at least 5 paragraphs (1 point)

-no more than two years old (1 point)

-copy attached to summary (1 point)

Article Review (7 points)

-What are key points?

-What point of view is presented?

-Does the article teach you something?

-Does it support or refute other information you have heard or read?

1

 

 

2

 

 

3

 

 

4

 

 

5

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

Outdoor activity

Reflection (40 points)

-Description of the site and activity

-What observations did you make?

-What new information did you learn?

-Discuss what you specifically like about the activity

-Correct length and format

 

 

 

Summer Assignment Grade:          /100