Name: ___________________________ APES Summer Research Packet

There are 2 parts to the summer packet assignment. The first is research from a website
which demonstrates your electrical power costs, your energy pollution calculator, and the
carbon pollution calculator. The second is summaries of 10 articles relating to
environmental issue in the Lehigh Valley / Bethlehem. These are both due on the first day
of class. Please follow format to receive full credit and follow the directions to gain
experience about environmental science calculations and environmental science issues
which are both a part of the APES coursework / APES exam.
Part 1 : Go to the following website: http://www.csgnetwork.com/elecenergycalcs.html
Electrical Energy Cost Calculator:
Follow the directions using the Dollars per KWR from your bill.
Input the accurate numbers in the spaces provided based on your observations for a
typical day use your personal average of use. Then print out the calculated pages.
Electrical Power Pollution Calculator:
Follow the directions on the top section of the calculator provided the needed KWH
from your monthly bill or from the calculations from the Electrical Energy Cost
remember the EEC number is in daily costs convert to a monthly number ( x 30).
Print out the calculation page.
In a 1 page summary paper describe the difference between Eastern coal and Natural
gas as a power source. Describe pollutants, sources, and general effects of the pollutants.
Include sources of information for the summary.
Carbon Pollution Calculator:
Follow the directions for your average miles to work in a car / month, air travel for
vacation, KHW from previous calculations, etc. Print out the calculation page.
In a 1 page summary paper describe the concept of carbon dioxide pollution
production, what are the general impacts of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and
how do trees impact the carbon dioxide levels.
Summary of Energy Calculations page:
In a 1 page summary describe the statement Why not use common sense to
conserve? Use the information from your personal calculations and results from the
calculators.

Part 2: 10 Environmental Science Articles and summaries / discussion paper

Read and collect 10 articles published since May 1, 2012 relating to Environmental issues
in the Lehigh Valley, PA. For each of the articles write a paragraph that is a summary of
the article and a second paragraph discussing your reaction. You must consider and
include the following:
1.What are the key points made in the article?
2.What is the point of view in the article?
3.Which concept does this article most relate to; sustainability, science, policy and
politics, stewardship or ecosystem capital. Describe the reasoning.
Your sources of articles may be scientific publications, magazines, or newspapers.
Please choose the 10 articles from the topics listed below. Make sure you have at least 5
of the topics represented in your selections. In the heading of the summary paragraph
list the article title and the topic classification. With the 2 paragraphs, please include the
original article.
Topics:
1. Ecosystems and habitats
2. Pesticide use and IPM
3. Wildlife management
4. Invasive species
5. Agriculture and food production
6. Fossil fuels
7. Renewable resources
8. Human population growth
9. Air Quality and air pollution
10. Water quality and water pollution
11. Carbon dioxide and global climate change
12. Deforestation and habitat alteration
13. Ozone depletion
14. Legislation and policy
Rubric:
Electric Energy Cost Calculator
Electric Power Pollution Calculator / summary
Carbon Pollution Calculator / summary
Summary of Energy Calculations webpage
Environmental Article / paragraph (10 pts each)

10 pts
20 pts
20 pts
10 pts
100 pts
Total Points

_____/ 160 pts

APES Mr. Schaffer

Textbook: Environmental Science, 10 th edition , Richard Wright
Welcome the Advanced Placement Environmental Science ! This course is approved by
the College Board and is academically rigorous. This course is vocabulary intensive, which
provides the base for each unit study. Lab work supports the concepts covered and class lecture
and discussions increase a depth of knowledge to provide rigor and relevance to the content. The
grades will be updated daily and I encourage you to check the Parent Portal for grade updates. If
you have any questions please email me at Tschaffer@beth.k12.pa.us .
The course grade will be based on total points for each student.
Tests / Quizzes: There will be vocabulary quizzes generally scheduled on the 4 th day of each
unit. Unexcused absences on test or quiz days will result in a grade of zero. If there is an excused
absence then the student will take the test / quiz on the day they return. Please email me on any
specific issues of extended illness. Chapter tests and Unit tests will be based on the AP Exam.
Labs / Class work: The labs and class work will develop the students knowledge and create
cohesion in the content. The labs and class work are due the following day.
Homework: Homework is give on the class unit outline we will cover 1 or 2 sections per day
of the chapters. Homework will usually be 1 hour / evening. It is due on date indicated.

Drop / Add Policy:

The following guidelines exist for all other schedule changes requested after August 1st:
1. A schedule change request form must be completed by the student and parent. Forms are
available in the Counseling Office or the teacher.
2. Schedule changes will be considered for valid educational reasons only. Schedule changes will
not be made to accommodate requests for lateral moves within the same subject area or teacher
preference.
3. The counselor and assigned teacher will review schedule change requests.
4. Quarter courses (half semester courses) will not be dropped after the first 5 days of class.
5. Full semester courses will not be dropped after the first 15 days of class.
6. All students must maintain a full schedule for the entire year.
7. Level changes will not be considered unless the student has a 75% or lower in the course.
Withdrawals from a course will not become part of the student record if the course is
dropped within the first 15 days of a semester class and within the first 5 days of a quarter
course (half semester course). A W (Withdrew) will be recorded after those days but prior to
the end of the first quarter. Either a WP (Withdraw Passing) or WF (Withdraw Failing) will
be recorded if the course is dropped after the first marking period, indicating the students
progress at the time of withdrawal.
A course change must be based upon academic considerations, and be facilitated by a
conference/plan developed by the student, parent, teacher and counselor/grade level
administrator to support student success. This plan will require tutoring, completion of all
required work to date, and a sincere demonstration of effort and ability by the student
prior to dropping a course or level of course for all classes in English, Social Studies, Math,
Science and Foreign Language.

The BASD code of conduct will be followed in the classroom.

Student Signature: _________________
Parent Signature: _________________