Prerequisites: Open to all students
Environmental Science examines the complexity of relationships found throughout the natural environment. The impact of plant and animal production practices on the environment and the adoption of practices leading to improved air, land, and water quality are investigated. Furthermore, students will examine past and current human interaction with the environment. Topic clusters in this course include an introduction to environmental science & natural resources, ecology, southern Illinois ecology, populations, soil & water conservation, mineral & energy resources, agricultural & environmental policy, and fish & wildlife management.
It is important that students in this class keep an open mind and respect the differences in student ability, backgrounds and beliefs. All students are expected to come to class on time, be prepared, and participate on a daily basis. Students will be expected to follow all rules listed and described in the Steeleville High School Student Handbook. It is expected that students wear appropriate attire (safety glasses, closed-toe shoes, protective clothing, etc.) during shop/outside work.
Environmental Science is a course taught through a wide variety of teaching methods, but with a dominant focus through hands-on learning. Students will learn through class lecture, small group discussion, class debate, laboratory exercises, video, readings, independent study, games, guest speakers, and both individual and group projects.
Students will be assessed through regular completion of homework, projects, class participation, and labs. Quizzes will assess students throughout each unit and a test will be given upon completion of each unit.
The grading procedure for this class will be out of 100% and will be based upon a standard point system (points earned/total points). A rough estimate of point dispersal can be seen below.
Quizzes 20% Participation 10%
Homework 20% Labs & Projects 25%
The school’s standard grading scale will be used in the class
A 90% - 100% B 80- 90% C 70%-80%
D 60%-70% F <60%
Late homework assignments will automatically be dropped 25%, unless prior arrangements have been made or the missed assignment was due to an excused absence. Missed quizzes or tests due to an unexcused absence will result in a zero. Make-up dates will be allowed for all quizzes and tests missed due to an excused absence.
Academic integrity is a vital component for individual success within Steeleville’s Agriculture Department. Plagiarism and cheating by any student will result in a zero for the grade of the assignment and will follow punishment described in the student handbook.
A variety of text material will be given in this course. The primary text material will be the textbook Environmental Science 2004, written by Karen Arms. In addition, MyCaert Agriculture Education State Curriculum readings will be provided. Text material will also include, but is not limited to, various textbook chapters, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, Internet articles, news articles, and short narrative briefs.
Site designed and content property of the Steeleville School District 138 ~ Website created by Steeleville High School Web Design Students. All rights reserved.