EDTC 614 Online Course Proposal Template

Proposed Course Title: SCI 500 - Environmental Science for the AP Teacher
Instructor: Kevin Curtis
Course Description:
This course provides a comprehensive overview of environmental science for the Advanced
Placement Environmental Science Teacher including teaching techniques and laboratory
exercises designed to increase student performance on the AP Exam. Topics include ecological
energy flow, the earth system, human interactions with the environment, environmental problems
from cultural and social perspective and human survival through sustainable systems. The course
will prepare teachers to successfully teach AP Environmental Science.

Course Pre-requisites:
Completion of teacher education program leading to state licensure is a pre-requisite.

Number of Sessions/Weeks/Hours/Credits:
The course will have 10 asynchronous sessions. The course will be offered for 2 CEU.

Subsequent Appropriate Courses:
Using Technology in the Science Classroom

Platform Software Package (e.g., Moodle, Blackboard, etc.):
Blackboard
Modes of Delivery:
Asynchronous: 100% Synchronous: 0%
The course will be delivered online in an asynchronous format to accommodate the work
schedules of adult teachers.

E-mail: _X___ WWW:__X__ Printed text: ____ CD-ROM: ____
Video Cassette: ____ Audio Cassette:____ Interactive Video Disc:____
Video Conferencing:____ Telephone: ____ Chat:____
Other: _____________________________________________________

Course Topics (short list):
Course topics will include: Fundamentals of Environmental Science, Environmental Law,
Ethics, Economics, Population, Agriculture, Urban Environment, Toxicology, Atmosphere,
Climate Change, Energy, Sustainability, Laboratory/Classroom Management, Test Taking
Techniques.

Rationale for Offering/Taking/Teaching This Course Online:
With student performance on the AP Exam of utmost importance to the AP Teacher, increasing
teacher knowledge of the subject, as well as developing test taking techniques and
laboratory/classroom management skills is critical for the AP Teacher. The course is being
offered online to accommodate the work schedule of the adult teacher. Adult learners need the
flexibility offered through online education, which allows them to continue their careers
uninterrupted by educational goals and needs.

Expected Student Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, students will be expected to:
1. Increase their knowledge of the structure and function of earth systems.
2. Use scientific reasoning to classify and understand environmental problems and potential
solutions.
3. Analytically evaluate arguments regarding environmental concerns.
4. Recognize the impact of their lives on the environment.
5. Relate their understanding of environmental issues to their own choices.
6. Relay their understanding of test taking techniques.
7. Develop personal laboratory/classroom management technique.

Description of Content:
This course is offered online in weekly sessions. Students are able to access lectures, complete
assignments and interact with their classmates and the instructor, via their computers.

Session 1: Environmental Science Fundamentals, Structure & Dynamics
In this session students will be introduced to fundamental topics of environmental
science, such as the chemistry of environmental science, evolution, biodiversity, species
interactions and ecology.
Session 2: Environmental Law, Ethics & Economics
In this session, students will learn about the various factors contributing to environmental
ethics and economics such as worldviews, values and choices. Students will also learn
about the various national and international environmental laws and treaties, as well as
decision making and problem-solving tactics used in environmental science.
Session 3: Population: Structure & Dynamics
In this session, students will learn about the human population, population ecology,
community ecology and species interactions.
Session 4: Soil & Agriculture & Water Resources
In this session, students will learn about succession, soil structure and function,
agriculture, biotechnology, water resources and managements.
Session 5: Urban Environment & Resource Management
In this session, students will learn about urban ecology, urbanization, environmental
problems associated with urbanization, as well as resource management techniques for a
sustainable future, and human impacts and conservation.
Session 6: Toxicology & Waste Management
In this session, students will learn about the impacts of various chemicals released into
the environment, environmental health and waste management.
Session 7: Atmosphere, Air Pollution & Climate Change
In this session, students will learn about atmospheric science, how air pollution is formed
and travels through the environment, as well as the causes and implications of climate
change.
Session 8: Energy: Past, Present, Future & Sustainability
In this session, students will learn about fossil fuels, conventional energy, new renewable
energy alternatives, their impacts and energy conservations.
Session 9: Laboratory/Classroom Management
In this session, students will learn about various laboratory procedures that can be utilized
to foster inquiry, student centered learning, and motivational techniques.
Session 10: Test Taking Techniques
In this session, students will learn about AP test taking techniques for the multiple choice
and FRQ sections of the exam.

Course Requirements:
(1) Reading assigned lectures and supplemental readings.
(2) Responding online to discussion questions and answers regarding session topics.
(3) Completing and evaluating ecological footprint.
(4) Completion of two projects.

Course Evaluation:
Grades will be based on:
72% = two (2) projects - Project 1 (worth 36 points) will be a to develop a multi-day inquiry
based laboratory exercise designed to cultivate student scientific thinking and problem
solving skills.
Project 2 (worth 36 points) will be to develop a test bank of AP multiple choice and FRQ
style questions.
20% = Discussion Forum feature in Blackboard will be utilized for class discussions
participation in course will be calculated as a function of the student participation in the
class discussion forum. Each week students will be required to participate in discussion
topics posted by the instructor. Each discussion topic will be worth 1 point for a total of
10 points for the entire course. The quality of the discussion will be worth 1 point for
substantive comments.
8% = homework assignments (worth 1 point each or 8 points for the entire course) will consist
of developing various reading and writing assignments for AP students designed to
encourage college level understanding to environmental issues.

Required Resources:
Course Text:
Botkin, D., & Keller, E. (2009). Environmental science: Earth as a living planet . (7th ed.). MA:
John Wiley & Sons. DOI: www.wileyplus.com

Trautmann, N., Carlsen, W., Krasny, M., & Cunningham, C. (2001). Assessing toxic risk. VA:
National Science Teachers Association.

Trautmann, N., Carlsen, W., Krasny, M., & Cunningham, C. (2003). Invasion ecology. MA:
National Science Teachers Association.

Trautmann, N., Carlsen, W., Krasny, M., & Cunningham, C. (2003). Decay and renewal. VA:
National Science Teachers Association.

Welman, A., Carlsen, W., Krasny, M., Cunningham, C., & Trautmann, N. (2004). Watershed
dynamics. VA: National Science Teachers Association.


Computer:
Computer with reliable internet access.
Software:
Word processing software.
System Requirements:
Refer to the following Web site to see supported browsers and operating systems:
http://kb.blackboard.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=101285989

Course Schedule:

Week Dates Topic Projects/Readings
Week 1 1/13/14 Environmental Science Fundamentals,
Structure & Dynamics
Reading: Botkin Chapter 3,5 & 6
Krasny Invasion ecology
Assignment: Develop assignments that
demonstrate student comprehension of
environmental chemistry, evolution,
ecology, biodiversity and species
interactions.
Week 2 1/20/14 Environmental Law, Ethics &
Economics
Reading: Botkin Chapter 27
Assignment: Develop assignments that
illustrate student understanding of
environmental law, ethics and
economics.
Week 3 1/27/14 Population: Structure & Dynamics Reading: Botkin Chapter 4, 7 & 8
Assignment: Develop assessments that
demonstrate student knowledge of
population dynamics.
Week 4 2/3/14 Soil & Agriculture & Water Resources Reading: Botkin Chapter 9, 11 & 12
Welman Water dynamics.
Assignment: Develop inquiry lab to
understand soil and water biodiversity.
Week 5 2/10/14 Urban Environment & Resource
Management
Reading: Botkin Chapter 14 & 26
Trautmann Decay and Renewal
Assignment: Prepare a summary of
project #1 progress and aim.
Week 6 2/17/14 Toxicology & Waste Management Reading: Botkin Chapter 15 & 29
Trautmann Assessing Toxic Risk
Assignment: Project # 1
Week 7 2/24/14 Atmosphere, Air Pollution & Climate
Change
Reading: Botkin Chapter 23, 24 & 25
Assignment: Develop a reading
assignment to foster understanding of
historic climate change patterns.
Week 8 3/3/14 Energy: Past, Present, Future &
Sustainability

Reading: Botkin Chapter 17, 18, 19 & 20
Assignment: Develop an assignment that
fosters communication, collaboration,
critical thinking, and creativity around
energy.
Week 9 3/10/14 Laboratory/Classroom Management Assignment: Write a classroom and
laboratory management plan.
Week 10 3/17/14 Test Taking Techniques Assignment: Project # 2