150-91 87th Road

Mala Panday, Principal Queens, NY 11432

Jennifer Pineda, Assistant Principal Phone: (718) 725-0402
Fax: (718) 725-0390
www.tywlsqueens.org

TYWLS, Queens Course Outline for Parents 2016-2017

Course Name: AP Environmental Science Credit Value: 2 Credits

Course Code: SDS21X Prerequisites: Three Years of Regents Science
Teacher: Ms. Shumer Date: September 2016
*All courses assess student performance based on the TYWLS School-Wide Grading Policy for grades 6-12.

Course Description by Unit:

I. Earth Systems and Resources V. Energy Resources and Consumption
II. The Living World VI. Pollution
III. Populations VII. Human Health
IV. Land and Water Use VIII. Global Change
Essential Questions:
Why is science a process?
Why do energy conversions underlie all ecological processes?
Why is the Earth itself is one interconnected system?
Describe how humans alter natural systems.
Why do environmental problems have a cultural and social context?
Why does human survival depends on developing practices that will achieve sustainability?

Resources:
The school will provide the textbook Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet, Fifth Edition by Daniel
B. Botkin and Edward A. Keller, the National Math and Science Initiatives laboratory book, and laboratory
equipment including dataloggers with sensors. Students will also use a shared Google Drive for resources and to
share information.

Project-Based Learning Opportunities:

Students will complete 4 long-term science investigations following the Urban Advantage model. These include
the following: controlled experiment, design project, field study, and secondary research. Students will also
complete in-class experiments to complement these experiences. Students will be required to attend AP weekend
study sessions to be held at a local high school. Students will also be expected to attend environmental science
experiences outside the regular school day as planned. Daily lessons follow the workshop model with
student-centered learning opportunities.

Communication:
Grades will be entered promptly into Skedula/PupilPath for regular parent and student review. Parents will be
called and emailed as appropriate. Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher at the school on Tuesdays from
2:20 pm to 3:15 pm via phone or in person.

Extra Help:
Extra assistance and lab make-ups will be provided upon request on Thursdays 6th period (12:04 pm to
12:48 pm) or after school on Tuesdays until 2:55 pm. Course material will be presented via multiple
entry points to support all learners including online available resources that students are expected to
use.