AP Environmental Science

From: $104.00 / month for 8 months

Prerequisite: Algebra 1

Grades: 10th–12th

Live Class:  Sec 1: Mon 7:00–8:00 p.m. ET

Sec 2: Thurs 3:00–4:00 p.m. ET

Dates: August 26–May 13

Price: $749

Instructor: Kristen Lauria

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Course Description

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This College Board approved Advanced Placement (AP) environmental science class online prepares students for the AP Environmental Science exam. As far as AP level science classes, this is less math-based than physics or chemistry, but still rigorous. Students should be prepared to work hard, but will be rewarded with in-depth knowledge about the environment and humanity’s role in protecting it. Engaged students will write papers, create an ecocolumn to study what life needs to thrive, and complete projects that let them improve their own communities directly.

Environmental science is the combination of science, social sciences, and the humanities. In this course students will study the tools of environmental science, ecology, populations, water, air, and land systems and resources, mineral and energy resources, human health, and the future of the human population on earth. We will also discuss current events as they happen and students will have the opportunity to learn soft-skills like research, planning a project, interviewing experts in their fields, and presenting their findings.

Course Structure

This course covers 9 units and prepares students for the AP Environmental Science exam. Students will use the textbook, videos, and web links to learn about the topics in this class and will be assessed using questions from the readings, labs, lab activities, and quizzes/exams. The chapter and unit tests are written in the style of the AP exam to prepare students and curved accordingly. Starting in the spring, there will be a focused AP review and preparation to get ready for the exam in May with dedicated class time to review and learn strategies for the exam. Most students spend 6-8 hours per week working on class material. This class is approved by College Board and can be listed on the student’s transcript as an official AP course.

Who should enroll?

This class is for 10th to 12th graders who have completed Algebra 1 and are comfortable solving equations.  Completion of Algebra 2 or concurrent enrollment is highly encouraged. This class covers a lot of material in one year and includes more advanced assignments like 3-4 page papers and projects. The student should be mostly independent in completing assignments.

Technology Requirements:

  • High speed, broadband Internet
  • Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)
  • Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures

Evaluation and Feedback

I believe homework and projects are the best tool for students to practice the skills they are learning and grade homework/provide feedback so they learn as they continue working toward mastery. Assignments are generally graded within 5 days of submission. Grades are based on a combination of homework, quizzes, labs, and exams/projects. Students are also given a participation grade to account for timeliness of completing assignments, class participation, and effort. Communication will take place as needed through email and announcements and responses to student messages are generally within a few hours.

Communication

Once registered, you will receive a welcome email within 24 hours. Throughout the course parents will only be contacted if issues arise, as I try to encourage students to take ownership of the class and contact me directly if they have any concerns. At midterm and close of the course progress reports will be sent to parents. Parents are always welcome to contact me with any issues or concerns, as they are partners in this endeavor.

Course Syllabus

Required Texts

Required Texts:

  • Environmental Science: A Global Concern 14th ed. (McGraw-Hill) Student text only ISBN: 9780076806799

Note: A digital copy of the textbook will be provided for the student, but if a physical copy is desired this is the book to purchase.

A lab equipment list will be sent after enrollment.

 

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Instructor Bio

Kristen Lauria

Kristen Lauria is a lifelong student who has become the teacher.  In second grade she was found stealing teacher’s editions from her public-school classroom to teach her younger best friend at home. She’s since progressed to buying her materials legally, but her love of teaching hasn’t wavered.  She spent 4 years in the Navy learning about nuclear reactors and went on to finish her BS in Physics with a minor in Math graduating Cum Laude.  She also was inducted into the physics honor society, Sigma Pi Sigma, having attained a GPA in Physics of over 3.0.  She has her MS in Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum from Drexel University and is certified to teach physics and chemistry in the state of Pennsylvania.

In addition to teaching for Aim Academy, she also homeschools her own 2 children in middle school, counsels her adult stepchildren in what adulting really means, and helps her husband with restoring their 200-year-old farmhouse one slow-moving project at a time.  She also runs her own tutoring company and teaches at her local homeschool co-op.  In her free time (which is rather scarce at the moment) she loves to read and spend time outside enjoying God’s creation.  The teacher is now becoming the student as well, as Kristen is beginning a PhD program at Lehigh University to further hone her teaching skills and improve the integration of technology to bring the material alive for her students.

She hopes to share her love of math and science with all of her students here at Aim Academy.  While she can’t change the difficulty of what students learn in her classes, she will do her best to make them approachable and interesting.  She hopes to show her students how everything they will encounter in their textbooks will apply to their own lives; not just in the future, but today.

Email: knlauria@aimacademy.online

All classes taught by Kristen Lauria