Env+Sci+Units


 * ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE UNIT OVERVIEW**

The very first day of class involves an activity w/ sustainability and what it means to live in a “sustainable” world! A mini soil uni follows, and then the class breaks up into groups of 3 or 4 to start work on the “Biosphere Project.” This project will be referenced/refined as students gain more knowledge about specific topics in environmental science.


 * Please note: Units may not go in the order of this page; order may be modified as the year progresses***

**Energy Resources**** Tie-in to Biosphere Theme: How do we “power” the biosphere using both renewable and non-renewable resources? Book Resources: Chapter 15—Energy from Organic Fuels Chapter 16—Nuclear Energy Chapter 17—Alternative Energy Sources

**Biomes** Tie-in to Biosphere Theme: What different characteristics define the “mini biospheres” of the earth?

Book Resources: Chapter 18—Minerals and Soils Chapter 7—Desert and Tundra Biomes Chapter 8—Grassland Biomes Chapter 9—Forest Biomes Chapter 10—Freshwater Biomes Chapter 11—The Marine Biome

**Ecology** Tie-in to Biosphere Theme: How do the biotic and abiotic factors change in the biosphere?

Book Resources:

Chapter 4—Matter and Energy in the Ecosystem Chapter 5—Interactions in the Ecosystem Chapter 6—Ecosystem Balance

**Resources and Pollution in the Biosphere** Tie-in to Biosphere Theme: How do we appropriately maintain the abiotic factors of the biosphere? Book Resources:

Chapter 19—Land/Land Pollution Chapter 20—Water Chapter 21—Water Pollution Chapter 22—Air and Noise Pollution

**World Populations** Tie-in to Biosphere Theme: How do humans fit the definition of a population? Book Resources:

Chapter 12—People and their Needs Chapter 13—Human Population Chapter 14—Feeding the World