Environmental Science

Course Description
Environmental Science is a field study course which will require students to
perform water quality tests; develop an understanding of ecological relationships
between organisms and their environment; recognize land formation and
development using Michigan as a case study; analyze man's impact on the local
and global environment; and identify local flora and fauna.

Unit Titles
1 Ethics and Environmental Impact of Humans
2 Mineral/ Energy/ Water/ Air Resources
3 Ecosystems
4 Ecology

Ethics and Environmental Impact of Humans Unit Abstract

This unit will introduce students to the ethical issues environmental scientists face
as well as those issues faced by people in the general population. This unit will be
discussion driven and more demanding of the students own insight. Students will
examine current legislation and roles of agencies who work with environmental
scientists. Students will also be expected to observe firsthand some of the
environmental effects humans currently have.

Unit Focus Questions

1 What are some actions that have been taken in the past that have had an effect
on the environment? How do they relate to actions we should take/ are taking now?
2 How should we balance the human demand of natural resources with protecting
the environment? Should we even bother?
3 What have you seen personally that demonstrates the impact humans have had
on the environment?
4 What would be some good legislation to pass for the sake of our environment?
Is it fair?

Content Expectations
1) Read and interpret current environmental policy (HS-ESS3-4)
2) Explain how availability of natural resources has influenced environmental
policies (HS-ESS3-1)

3) Draft a proposal for an policy to protect some aspect of our local environment
using available evidence. (HS-ESS3-2)

Key Concepts
Needs of civilization

Needs of the environment

Politics of Environmental policy

Assessment Tasks

1 - Social Media Tasks

2 Presentation about environmental policy.

3 - Take the position of a lobbyist for a company who wants to reduce

environmental legislation to make it easier for them to do business. Partner with
other lobbyists from your firm and then present the policy to a mock senate (the
classroom). Students in the class must ask questions as a senate committee would.

Catalogue of Lessons
Week 1
Day 1 Welcome, classroom rules, expectation, goals
Day 2 - Tragedy of the Commons
- Bellwork, debrief, Fish Game, Discussion of game, Journal reflection
Day 3 Tragedy of the Commons II
- Reflection discussion, Issue open grazing land, Reflection on how
knowledge of TOC has changed.
Day 4 Historical Environmental Policy
- Glacier Pics, group examination of global climate trends, Bold
Statement Journal Entry
Day 5 Current State of the Environment
- Bold Statement Discussion, Discussion Are we on the verge of an
environmental catastrophe Newsela/ Verifiable article examination.
Week 2
Day 1 Issues in The Environment of SE Michigan
- Bellwork, Local news article, discussion, journal entry, social media
task
Day 2 What makes up an environmental policy
- Bellwork, Lecture notes, Worksheet, reflective journal entry
Day 3 Choose groups for environmental policy creation and begin
research.
- Bellwork, Reflection, Assign Groups, Begin research
Day 4 Research for environmental policy creation
- Research Day for environmental policies
Day 5 Presentation of Policy Day 1
- Students make brief presentations on environmental policy of their
choice

Week 3
Day 1 Presentation of Policy Day 2
- Students make brief presentations on environmental policy of their
choice, reflective journal entry
Day 2 Reflections on Policy creation
- Reflective journal entry, class discussion, social media task
Day 3 The importance of seeing all sides of an issue
- News article, discussion.
Day 4 Assign Special Interest Groups and small subgroups, begin research
- Assign Special Interest Groups, individually research groups
perspective, research environmental issue
Day 5 Continue research
- Individually research groups perspective, research environmental issue

Week 4
Day 1 Lobby critique preparation research
- Individually review groups perspective and argument strategy, prepare
for critical questions
Day 2 Present individual argument to small group, chose a best argument
to represent group
- Present results of individual research to class groups, chose
representative for Senate presentation
 Day 3 Hone Arguments Outline due (prepare questions for other groups
as homework)
- Group collaboration to prepare for group presentations, prepare for
critical questions
Day 4 Presentations Day 1
- Group presentations and discussions for environmental issues
Day 5 Presentations Day 2
Group presentations and discussions for environmental issues. Journal entry: How
is the tragedy of the commons present through the issues we discussed in this unit?

Instructional Resources:
Equipment:
Computers, cell phones, tablets, smart board

Student Resources:

http://www.fte.org/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/efllessons/the-fish-game/

Basic Textbook:
Arms, K. (2008). Environmental Science. Orlando: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Advanced Textbook:
Enger, E and Smith, B. (2010). Environmental Science A Study of
Interrelationships. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Newsela Articles (current event, will be in flux)

Scholarly Journal Articles

Alaska Vacation Pics

Historical Glacier Bay Pics

Newspaper Articles (current event, will be in flux)

Sources identified in students internet research

Other students in the class

Teacher Resources:

http://www.fte.org/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/efllessons/the-fish-game/

Basic Textbook:
Arms, K. (2008). Environmental Science. Orlando: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

Advanced Textbook:
Enger, E and Smith, B. (2010). Environmental Science A Study of
Interrelationships. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Newsela Articles (current event, will be in flux)

Scholarly Journal Articles

Alaska Vacation Pics

Historical Glacier Bay Pics

Newspaper Articles (current event, will be in flux)

Sources identified in students internet research

Athens Media Center

Whitehouse Website

Other students in the class