Environmental Science Syllabus                                             School Year 2019-2020

Lake Weir High School                                                                   Dr. Graham; Room 3-229

Monday - Friday                                                                   James.Graham@marion.k12.fl.us

Environmental Science is a year-long course designed to show thematic connections between a variety of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, and physics.  It gives students a coherent and realistic picture of the applications of a variety of scientific concepts as they manifest in our environment. Students will focus on human population growth, natural resources, and ecosystem dynamics.  The aim of this course to increase students’ knowledge of the environmental challenges of today, while continuing to cultivate scientific critical thinking skills.

Books: Holt, Environmental Science is the textbook. Students may choose to have a hardcopy or a digital copy of the text for home use; we will have a class set in the room for class use. 

Expectations:

• Students should come to class to be engaged, and find ways to engage themselves in content.
• Students should perpetually question why.
• Students should be willing to answer the question “Why?” and defend their position both verbally and in writing.
• Students should be respectful of all people; their space, thoughts, beliefs, life choices and work.
• Instructor will provide objective material for the class to review and discuss based on the Standards.
• Instructor will provide formative assessments to determine optimum methods for student learning.
• Instructor will provide summative assessments to determine student mastery of standards.
• Students and parents can contact the instructor about concerns about the content, instructional methods by email:  graham@marion.k12.fl.us

Behavior and Rules

• Be Polite
• Be Prepared
• Be Punctual
• No phones/music/earbuds/headphones/electronics… No exceptions!!

• First offence is verbal warning,
• Second offence is parent contact,
• Third offence is written referral.

Materials:

• Loose-leaf paper
• A pen or pencil every day

Grading:

• Tests/ Quizzes                             40%                          
• Daily Work/Projects         50%
• Homework        10%

Grades will be calculated based on the following grading scale:

• 90-100 = A
• 80-89 = B
• 70-79 = C
• 60-69 = D
• 59 and below = F

Daily/Weekly Assignments:

• Assignments will be presented at the beginning of class.
• Assignments will be listed in the gradebook with due dates.
• It is the responsibility of the student to complete the assignment on time.
  • Bell work will be due the same day.
  • Classwork will be due the same day.
  • Homework will be due the following day.
  • Exams will be given on block days.
• Make up work and missing assignments will be accepted until the close of the grading period.

Communication of Student Progress:

• Grades will be posted within 2 days of assignment and graded work will be returned to the student within 2 days of completion.
• Parents can access student grades through the parent portal. Please contact guidance to receive parent access.

Course Content Skills and State Standards:

Students will:

• Use science process skills in laboratory or field investigations, including observation, classification, communication, metric measurement, prediction, inference and, collecting and analyzing data
• Use traditional reference materials to explore background and historical information regarding a scientific concept
• Learn and use, on a regular basis, standard safety practices for laboratory or field investigations
• Identify the significance of accurate, precise, and subjective/objective measurements, use of reliable tools, safety measure, and career training in environmental monitoring
• Investigate the flow of energy and cycling of matter within an ecosystem and relate these phenomena to human society.
• Demonstrate an understanding that the Earth is one interconnected system.
• Describe stability and change in ecosystems.
• Understand and describe availability, allocation and conservation of energy and other resources
• Recognize that human beings are part of the global ecosystem and will evaluate the effects of human activities and technology on ecosystems

PLAGIARISM STATEMENT

Plagiarism is the use of another’s words or ideas and the presentation of them as though they were entirely one’s own.  Acts of plagiarism might include, but are not limited to:

• using words or ideas from a published source without proper documentation
• using the work of another student (e.g. copying homework, composition, or project)
• using excessive editing suggestions of another student, teacher, parent, or paid editor.

A note about what constitutes “excessive editing”:

Students learn to write well by doing just that, writing.  Struggling independently through the writing process produces growth (as well as a certain amount of agony), and eventually the student’s own voice.  When well-meaning parents, siblings, tutors, or others contribute their ideas, words, phrases, revisions, etc. to students’ writing, student writers miss the opportunity to achieve literary self-reliance.

So – what is helping, but is NOT excessive editing? 

The answer is: questioning and cueing.  For example: “Is this word strong enough? Interesting enough? Specific enough?”  “Can you think of another word that would fit better?”  “Does this sentence seem awkward?”  “What exactly do you mean?”  “I don’t understand what you are trying to say here; can you say it more clearly?” These kinds of questions and statements allow the students to think and write independently.  Students should be allowed to find their own voices and to develop their own writing skills.  

Plagiarism on any project or paper will result in a zero for the assignment and an Honor Code Violation.  Unless strictly stipulated by the teacher, collaboration on written work is not acceptable.  Students who willingly provide other students with access to their work are in violation of the Honor Code.

Students should be aware that TurnItIn.com will be used to check papers for plagiarism.

LABORATORY SAFETY RULES

1. Follow all verbal and written instructions carefully.
2. Know the location and operation of safety equipment in the laboratory.
3. Shoes with closed heels and toes (full foot coverage) must be worn in the laboratory.
4. Never eat, drink, or chew anything in a science laboratory.
5. Never spray cologne, or perfume in the laboratory classroom.
6. Never run, push, throw objects, or engage in horseplay of any kind in the laboratory.
7. Report all accidents or injuries to your teacher immediately.
8. Use the equipment only as directed and when given permission to proceed.
9. Clean and replace equipment where and as you found it.
10. Keep floors and walkways clear at all times.
11. Do not leave any experiment unattended. This includes but is not limited to burners, hotplates, and other heat sources.
12. Use only Pyrex glassware for heating.
13. Wash your hands with soap and water after using chemicals and at the end of each lab activity.
14. Use only the proper tongs or holders when handling hot laboratory equipment.
15. Never smell or taste anything in the lab without specific instructions.
16. Do not pick up broken glass with your bare hands. Use a dustpan and brush.
17. Tie back long hair. Hair is extremely flammable and will readily absorb chemicals.
18. Do not wear bulky or loose fitting clothes in the laboratory and remove any loose jewelry before performing experiments. Pants must be secured at the waist.
19. Splash goggles, gloves and laboratory apron must be worn at all times when chemicals and liquids are present in the laboratory.
20. Always hold bottles so you can see the label. Check to ensure you have the correct substance before pouring.
21. Razors, scalpels, dissecting needles, and other sharp instruments must be carried in a tray or protective container.
22. Always cut away and down on the tray.
23. Be aware of where all others are located around you. Warn anyone who is near you before you begin to do the lab work.
24. Keep your area clutter free.
25. Completely clean up all equipment and your lab station at the end of the lab. Make sure to dispose of all garbage as instructed.  Some items may not be thrown in the normal trash can.
26. Read through ALL of the Flinn Scientific Student Safety Contract for more details.

Remember that Safety is our highest priority!

NOTE: Failure to follow the class and lab rules will result in you not being allowed to participate in any lab activities and may result in additional disciplinary actions from the school.  You will have to replace the labs with essay work to cover the same information.

Participation in the laboratory activities is a privilege.  To ensure your continued participation in labs, follow the rules and take the time to think of the consequences to your actions.

Environmental Science Signature Page of Acknowledgement

Please read each statement and sign in the space provided to acknowledge your understanding and acceptance. Take time to read and discuss the information provided on the Syllabus handout and on the Laboratory Safety Handouts. When this is accomplished, complete the information below and return to Dr. Graham. Keep the information handouts in your notebook for reference. As with anything that you sign, make sure you clearly understand the information so if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me before you sign.

1. REQUIRED: Class Syllabus. I/We have read and reviewed the class syllabus handout and agree to abide by the class rules.

Student Signature _______________________________________________________

Parent Signature ________________________________________________________

2. REQUIRED: Laboratory Safety. I/We have read and understand the laboratory safety rules and procedures. Failure to follow the class and laboratory rules will result in you not being allowed to participate in lab activities and may result in additional disciplinary actions from the school. The laboratory safety rules are in place for protection of all persons in class and in the school.

Student Signature _______________________________________________________

Parent Signature _______________________________________________________

Does the student wear contact lenses? __ Is the student color blind?_________

Does the student have allergies? __________

If so, please explain___________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

3. Optional: Photo/image release. I/We Grant Permission for this student’s photo or image to be use in publications related to projects and activities in class including being published to the class website. The image will only be used in the context of the course and for orientation presentations at school.

Student Signature _______________________________________________________

Parent Signature ________________________________________________________

Student Name Printed: _____________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name Printed: ______________________________________________

DATE _____________________________________

Does the student have access to: Internet ________________   Printer __________________

Computer _____________________   Smart Phone (of some sort) _______________________