MY RULES:
Mutual universal respect! Work hard! Reap what you sow! This is a fun class, if you try!
COURSE OUTLINE:
Term 1 Introduction to Environmental Science: What are environmental issues? What is the role of humanity in the environment?; Introductory Botany: plant organography, plant laboratory investigations and plant identification.
Term 2 Ecology: relationships between organisms and their environment;
Term 3 Energy: trophic levels and organic cycles; Environmental Justice: Endangered Species Act, activism, and a town council Role-play;
Term 4 Biomes: biogeography, climatology, natural selection and human impact; Natural Resources: land, water, air, energy, pollution, eco-products and waste.
Term 5 Community Activism Project: identify a local environmental issue, create a plan to improve the environment, educate the local community about the issue and implement the plan
Term 6 Community Activism Project & Environmental Solutions: global and local efforts, what can you do?
PSP Native Plant Nursery/Native Habitat Restoration Project: Throughout the year we will work with the Park Stewardship Program of the GGNRA National Parks Conservancy. PSP interns will lead field trips and conduct content lessons in partnership with your teacher. This includes active habitat restoration at Milagra Ridge and Mori Point in conjunction with the OHS native plant nursery.
GRADING:
Ø I grade by points and points only. Every assignment that we do will have a point value. Homework is not required to pass this class, ~80% of the assignments should be completed in class. I do not assign homework, but students desiring A or B grades will likely need to put in some time working on projects or studying for tests at home.
Ø While attendance is a major part of this class it is not enough to just come, you must DO YOUR WORK to pass! I will gladly help you pass if you try. Verified cuts or unexcused absences will result in 0 points for any assignment due during the cut class.
Ø Restoration field trips are required. There will be ~3-6 field trips off campus; students may not earn a passing semester grade if they cut or have an unexcused absence during a field trip. With an excused absence a student must make up the field trip by doing service at the OHS native plant nursery. 3 hours at the nursery = one missed field trip; hours must be completed/verified by the last week of the semester.
Ø At term end I assign grades based on the percentage of your work done (labs, investigations, projects, fieldtrips and tests)
Ø 90% - 100% = A; 80% - 89 = B; 70% - 79% = C; 60% - 69% = D
Ø 0 % - 59% = F cutting/unexcused absence during a field trip = Failed Semester.
Ø TARDIES & Passes: I don’t want to enforce a tardy policy, but excessive tardies are very disrespectful. I will institute a more comprehensive tardy and bathroom policy if necessary. Please don’t be tardy or abusive of bathroom privileges.
Ø LATE/INCOMPLETE WORK /REVISITS: Any assignment not turned on the assigned due date will be reduced by 20% of the total points earned on the assignment. Late work will not be accepted seven days past the due date. Incomplete work is worth 50% of the total points, completing by the next class once returned will earn full credit. An assignment that receives a revisit will be worth 60% of the points, until revisited for up to full credit, if revisited within seven days of the assignment being returned to the student. You must seriously attempt the assignment to earn a revisit.
