Summer+Assignment+2013-2014

AP Environmental Science Summer Assignment 2013-2014

The goal of this course to develop an understanding of the world we live in and the impact we have on it, as well as to prepare you for the Advanced Placement Environmental Science Exam in May 2014. Due to the enormity of the curriculum to be tested, it is very difficult to cover everything before the exam. Therefore, over the summer it is necessary that we begin the curriculum. The summer assignment will have four parts:
 * 1) Video
 * 2) Articles
 * 3) Outdoor Activities
 * 4) Text Book readings and questions

These can be done in any order at your convenience but EVERYTHING is DUE AT THE BEGINNNING OF THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS, NO EXCEPTIONS.

If you did not yet get a text book, there will be books in Ms. Karamcheti’s office in the Main Office. Please write your name next to the book number you take, and also include which house you are in.

Watch the video HOME which is narrated by Glenn Close. Complete the attached worksheet which has space for you to record important points from the video, as well as a reflection. [|HOME YouTube]
 * Part 1: VIDEO **


 * Part 2: ARTICLE – Environmental Issues in Current Events **

Select and review three articles drawn from the topics listed below or another relevant topic, making sure that you address at least three different topics. There are also a few resources listed below. Write a brief summary and response (your reaction /opinions /reflection /comments /connections /questions) {Any of those as a response, not necessarily all of them}. Your response must be about the article specifically __and__ the issue in general. Be prepared to discuss your responses in class at some point.  The original article must be attached to your response. Use the format shown below.


 * Article Title:
 * Date of Article:
 * Source:
 * Environmental Issue:
 * Location (where in the world):
 * Summary:
 * Your Response:
 * Hard Copy of Article.
 * Please be very careful to use your own words.

POSSIBLE TOPICS:
 * Human population growth
 * GMOs and labeling (genetically modified organism)
 * Invasive (non-native or introduced) species
 * Food production, food safety
 * Overfishing (global issue but in the local news lately)
 * Keystone XL pipeline
 * Marcellus shale national gas deposit
 * Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas)
 * Renewable resources (solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric)
 * Nuclear energy
 * Air quality
 * Water quality (surface or groundwater)
 * Mississippi river flood control
 * CO2 and climate change
 * Ocean warming and the effects on fish populations
 * Recycling, waste management
 * Endangered species
 * Deforestation
 * Ozone depletion
 * International treaties dealing with environmental issues (Kyoto Accord, Montreal Protocol)

POSSIBLE RESOURCES:

[] [] [] [] [] [] [] []


 * Part 3: Outdoor Activities **

Having an appreciation for the outdoors will help you understand the importance of this course. I would like you to spend 2 hours (or more) outside camping, hiking, picnicking (several times), canoeing/kayaking, visiting a state or national park, volunteering for an environmental group, …

Provide **documentation** of your visit (a photo of you taken during the activity or next to a sign, a pamphlet, a note from a park ranger,…). Also, write a one to two paragraph **reflection** of your visit, including:
 * any observations of wildlife (sights and sounds)
 * vegetation – try to notice how many different trees you come across. You don’t have to identify them, just notice differences. You can sketch the leaf shape if you want. Leaf identification is the easiest way to tell the type of tree you’re looking at. I’ve been told about an app called “leaf shot” which identifies a tree or plant when you take a photo of its leaf. I don’t know if it’s free though so don’t spend your hard earned money if you don’t want to.
 * any notice of environmental problems (pollution, degradation, etc.)
 * what you did and how you enjoyed it


 * Part 4: Text Book readings and questions **

**Preview**: What is Environmental Science? Why are you taking this course? In one to two paragraphs, define what you think Environmental Science is, why it is useful to study, and what you hope to gain from this course.

**Read Chapters 1 and 25 of your text book Environment**: Peter H. Raven 6th Edition. The green shaded page at the beginning of each chapter is a real-world opener that relates to the topics within the chapter. DO NOT skip over it. READ IT.

**Complete** the ** “Review” ** questions at the end of each section within the chapters.

**Complete** the following ** “Thinking about the Environment” ** questions at the end of the chapters.


 * Chapter 1: ** (page 22) # 1-6, 9, 10 and 12
 * Chapter 25: ** (page 599) # 1-7 and 9-13


 * PLEASE DON’T WAIT UNTIL AUGUST TO BEGIN. **