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The goal of AP Environmental Science is to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world and to identify and analyze environmental problems that are both natural and human-made. Students will evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems and examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing problems. Required laboratory Internet-based activities are included with each unit, each 
taking a minimum of one hour to complete. Additionally, hands-on laboratory assignments are included in each unit to challenge student abilities on the following tasks:

• Critically observe environmental systems 

• Develop and conduct well-developed experiments 

• Analyze and interpret data , including appropriate statistical and graphical presentations 

• Think analytically and apply concepts to the solution of environmental problems 

• Make conclusions and evaluate their quality and validity 

• Propose further questions for study 

• Communicate accurately and meaningfully about observations and conclusions 
Environmental science is interdisciplinary; the course includes a wide variety of topics from different disciplinary areas. The course is organized in accordance with six themes: 


o Science is a process
a. Science is a method of learning more about the world.
b. Science constantly changes the way we understand the world.

o Energy conversions underlie all ecological processes.
a. Energy cannot be created; it must come from somewhere.
b. As energy flows through systems, it becomes less usable at each step.

o The Earth is one interconnected system.

a. Natural systems change over time and space. 


b. Biogeochemical systems vary in ability to recover from disturbances. 


o Humans alter natural systems

a. Humans have an impact on the environment and have had for millions of years. 


b. Technology and population growth have enabled humans to increase both the rate 
and scale of their impact on the environment.

o Environmental problems have a cultural and social context.

a. Understanding the role of cultural, social, and economic factors is vital to the development of solutions.

o Human survival depends upon developing practices that achieve sustainable systems.

a. A suitable combination of conservation and development is required to reach 
sustainability. 


b. Management of common resources is essential to reaching a sustainable 
environment. 


Throughout the course, students are given the opportunity to participate in critical thinking exercises which require research, analysis and presentation. Lessons, written with a global perspective in mind, enable students to collaborate with students around the world on projects, presentations, and assignments. Students develop 21st century skills, including cross-border perspectives and solutions, and apply “tangible” skills such as language proficiency as well as skills that are less tangible, including greater sensitivity to cultural differences, openness to new and different ideas, and the ability to adapt to change (as stated by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills).

This course is designed to be highly teacher facilitated. Instructors give a great deal of specific and timely feedback per lesson as students progress through the course. Students have opportunities for oral examinations, discussions, and whiteboard interactions. Additionally, teachers conduct online synchronous Elluminate sessions that require critical thinking and analysis.

In addition, this course is accompanied by an online tutorial and review that uses released AP Exams. Students are given systematic and timed practice for all portions of the exam. Students receive specific feedback on progress and mastery levels on the practice exams.