ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Environmental science Online High School Course
COURSE LENGTH:
Full Year (30 Sessions)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class will cover major interdisciplinary environmental topics such as human health and disease, biodiversity loss, global climate change, energy resources, air pollution, water resources, rising human populations and ocean pollution. Components of the class may adopt a project-based learning (PBL) approach. While PBL takes many forms, our approach involves student investigations and simulations that require students to think like scientists, policymakers, farmers, and other adults in real world settings. Because challenges in the real world of environmental science rarely draw upon only one topic or short list of objectives, the challenges in this course will require students to draw from a broader knowledge base. This gives students the opportunity to learn about the same objectives multiple times throughout the course through different contexts and perspectives.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Apply science concepts and processes to understand the interaction between the ecological, socio-cultural, and economic lenses used to study the environment.
Develop informed perspectives on chemical, physical and biological processes relevant to environmental problems both at the local and global scale.
Use critical thinking and problem solving skills to address global environmental challenges.
Gain an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature required to effectively study the environment.
Reflect on our roles as citizens and consumers in a global society.
Enduring understandings:
How is climate change impacting human health?
Do poorer communities have more exposure to environmental pollutants?
How do governments mitigate air pollution?
What are the causes and effects of climate change?
At what point is the damage to the environment irreversible?
Is coal on its “last kick?” If so, how do we shift to renewable energy sources?
Is nuclear power a viable option?
Why are global agreements necessary for solving the climate crisis?