SC 4320: Environmental Science

Title 

Quarter 1

Quarter 2

Quarter 3

Quarter 4

Think Globally, Act Locally, and Our Planet’s Alarm

(Units 1-2)

All The Small Things, and the Environment is Where We All Meet

(Unit 3-4)

Good Guests, and Human Impact on Land Use

(Unit 5-6)

Power Up, and An Incurable Disease?

(Unit 7-8)

Image

Focus of the Story 

We begin by obtaining a broad overview of environmental related themes and issues (e.g., sustainability, ethics, conservation, and policy) that will spiral throughout the course. We will gain an appreciation for the interconnectedness between their local environment (the city of Virginia Beach) and the entire globe.

Next, we explore that chemistry is at the core of many environmental issues, and therefore we must examine matter and its interactions from a microscopic perspective. We then learn that there are several levels of ecological organization which form a complex network of properties and processes that constantly interact -- shaping the world in which we live.

As we continue we learn about the interactions of species in ecosystems, and the factors that affect these interactions. This part of the course also examines how human-caused activities impact our environment.

Our journey concludes by revisiting sustainability. This final quarter of the course examines the distribution and availability of resources on a global level and how they are managed.  We describe sources of pollution, review specific environmental policies, and students present their personal  actions to progress towards a sustainable future.

Transfer Goals

• Define problems through research into what is already known and think creatively about what solutions might be possible. (Problem Solvers and Value Creators; Personally and Socially Responsible)
• Ask questions driven by curiosity on a given event or process in the natural world based on observations or data. (Thinkers and Inquirers)
• Communicate results, solutions, or findings to inspire further inquiry and courses of action. (Communicators and Collaborators; Personally and Socially Responsible)

• Analyze and interpret data to determine its validity or usefulness, identify patterns and relationships, and/or draw conclusions.  (Thinkers and Inquirers; Knowledgeable)

• Plan and carry out investigations or use a design process to answer a question or solve a problem. (Problem Solvers and Value Creators) 
• Analyze and interpret data to determine its validity or usefulness, identify patterns and relationships, and/or draw conclusions.  (Thinkers and Inquirers; Knowledgeable)

• Analyze and interpret data to determine its validity or usefulness, identify patterns and relationships, and/or draw conclusions.  (Thinkers and Inquirers; Knowledgeable)
• Communicate results, solutions, or findings to inspire further inquiry and courses of action. (Communicators and Collaborators; Personally and Socially Responsible)

Learning Targets

I can define sustainability.

 I can explain conflicting ethical concerns regarding activities that affect the environment.

 I can investigate a global environmental issue and/or policy and relate it to Virginia Beach’s current environmental situations/issues.

I can differentiate among an atom, an element, a molecule, and a compound.

 I can describe the major characteristics of the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

I can use evidence to describe the relationship between global climate change and extreme weather events.

I can describe the types of interactions between species (e.g., competition, predation, symbiotic relationships).

I will investigate and understand how human actions impact the environment.

I will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of renewable and nonrenewable resources.

I will assess local efforts towards developing a sustainable future.