Course Outline
for
AP* Environmental Science


The AP* Environmental Science (APES) course will provide participants with practical information valuable for starting up or enhancing an APES course at their school. The course will include critical information on the College Board's curriculum requirements and the AP* course audit, including a review the College Board's topic outline, laboratory and field study requirements, and textbook and laboratory manual options. Additionally, the course will include an in-depth analysis of the APES examination which will focus on the most recent exams and scoring guidelines. Finally, each day of class will consist, in large part, of hands-on experience with the activities and laboratory work described during the institute. All of the participants will also receive a CD which includes handouts, activities, labs, and other resources used in the instructor's APES course. Whether teachers are looking to update an existing APES course, or step confidently into an APES classroom for the first time, the 5-day institute will provide them with the information and knowledge that they require.


Environmental science is a dynamic field of study, which requires an environmental science course to be a work-in-progress. Throughout the week, the participants will be introduced to new and unique labs and activities designed and intended expressly for use in APES courses. They will spend much of the week carrying out the activities and performing the labs, thereby becoming familiar with them, and more confident using them in their own classroom. Analysis of the APES examination will take place throughout the week. The goal of the AP* exam analysis is to help teachers better prepare their students by understanding the methodology, objectives, and viewpoints of the developers and graders of the exam. The institute will also include the opportunity to share ideas, relate experiences and discuss environmental education with colleagues. Participants who wish to share an activity or lab with their colleagues should bring 26 copies of the appropriate handouts to the institute to share.


Objectives:


Participants in the AP* Environmental Science (APES) Institute will understand the AP* Environmental Science topic outline, the laboratory and field study requirements, and be familiar with the textbook and laboratory manual options.


Participants in the APES Institute will be familiar with classroom strategies and activities that may be used in an AP* Environmental Science course.

Participants in the APES Institute will understand how the laboratory component may be integrated into AP* Environmental Science.

Participants in the APES Institute will perform and familiarize themselves with activities and laboratory work that may be used in an AP* Environmental Science course.

Participants in the APES Institute will be familiar with AP* Central and other online resources available to AP* Environmental Science teachers.

Participants in the APES Institute will be familiar with other resources, such as, software, videos, data acquisition hardware, and laboratory equipment that are appropriate for AP* Environmental Science courses.

Participants in the APES Institute will be familiar with the format and the development process of the AP* Environmental Science Examination.

Participants in the APES Institute will be familiar with the grading and scoring procedures for the AP* Environmental Science Examination.

Participants in the APES Institute will have access to a networking opportunity amongst the new and experienced teachers who participate in the institute.


Agenda:


Monday

  • Morning
    • Introductions
    • APES curriculum overview
    • Textbook recommendations
    • Sample activity
  • Afternoon
    • AP* course audit
    • Laboratory work

Tuesday

  • Morning
    • Examination of the provided APES activities
    • AP* exam analysis
  • Afternoon
    • AP* Central and other online resources for APES
    • Sample activities and laboratory work

    Wednesday

    • morning
      • Sample activities and laboratory work
      • AP* exam analysis
      • Laboratory work
    • afternoon
      • Sample activities and laboratory work

    Thursday

    • Morning
      • Laboratory work
      • AP* exam review procedures
      • Activities for after the AP* exam
    • Afternoon
      • Sharing session
      • Sample activities and laboratory work

    Friday

    • Morning
      • AP* exam analysis
      • Wrap up



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