1.
Read The World Without Us by Alan Weisman and an environmental science themed novel of your choice (see below
for suggestions). Then use what you have learned from these books to develop
and support (with textual evidence) a nuanced claim in
response to this question, “Is humankind
bad for the Earth?” Think about the impacts that humans have had on Earth,
its environments, and the other organisms that inhabit them. Is the impact
good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Are there efforts that humans can make to
change their impact upon the Earth? Keep these questions in mind while reading
and writing. NOTE: The fictional selections below don’t always take place on
Earth so feel free to interpret “Earth” as “the planet humans are living on.”
Your
essay should be at least three pages
in length and contain APA/MLA formatted citations as well as a bibliography. A
paper copy of the completed essay is due in class on Thursday, September 4th. Look for a rubric on the class
website relatively soon. Parallels can be drawn between fiction and reality and
predictions can be made, but remember that when discussing a work of fiction
the evidence is at best speculative (though some novels are very thoroughly
researched) and more reflective or indicative of humanity’s attitudes, values,
etc.
Options/suggestions for Environmental Science Fiction novels:
Dune by Frank Herbert
|
Shipbreaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
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Tuf Voyaging by George R. R. Martin
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The Precipice by Ben Bova
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Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
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Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
|
Forty Signs of Rain by Kim Stanley Robinson
|
Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach
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The Color of Distance by Amy Thomson
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The Quiet War by Paul McAuley
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Energized by Edward M. Lerner
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Antarctica by Kim Stanley Robinson
|
I
suggest that you research these titles and choose one that seems most
interesting and appropriate for you. Some of these are personal favorites while
others are books about which I have heard great feedback and am looking forward
to reading. If you have another choice that is not listed, then feel free to
email me about it.
2.
Brush up on your knowledge of geography. Environmental science involves
discussing environmental issues throughout the world, so a good working
knowledge of world geography is crucial. You must know the names of and approximate
locations on a map of the following:
· All 7 continents (North
and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica)
· All oceans (Atlantic,
Pacific, Indian, and Arctic)
· Major seas and lakes
(Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Sea, Black Sea, all
5 Great Lakes, Caspian Sea, and Aral Sea)
· Major rivers and river
systems (Amazon, Nile, Mississippi (also Missouri and Ohio rivers), Yangtze,
Ganges, and Yellow)
· Major mountain chains
(Rockies, Andes, Appalachians, Alps, Urals, and Himalayas)
· Major world cities (New
York, Istanbul, Mexico City, London, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Beijing, Santiago, Mumbai,
Sao Paulo, Moscow, Lagos, Bogotá, Cairo, and Shanghai)
· Students should also be
able to find the equator and discern latitude from longitude
Below is a world map that you
can fill out as you see fit in order to serve as a reference. There will be a geography quiz within the
first few days of school.
3.
Review and sharpen basic math skills. See the reminder information and practice
problems. There will be a quiz on the
metric system, percentages, units and converting, and scientific notation
during the first few days of school. Calculators will not be allowed as
they are not allowed AP Environmental Science exam.
In
addition, the supplies that you will need for science class are as follows:
- 3 ring
binder (1” in width should suffice) - Writing
utensils (obviously)
- A set of dividers - Ruler
- Looseleaf - Quad ruled
(graph paper) composition book*
NOTE:
It is completely acceptable (and environmentally friendly!) to continue to use
your quad ruled composition book from last year provided that you can find it
and it is in useable condition.
Completing
these assignments and entering next semester in the right frame of mind and
with some background knowledge is very important. You need to be reading,
thinking, working, and writing over the summer in order to be prepared for
class and to build better habits for college. Failure to complete the summer
assignments or prepare for class in September could result in dismissal from AP Environmental Science. If you
can’t read two books over the summer, learn/relearn some geography, and make
sure you are competent with basic math, then are you really ready for a college
level class?
Enjoy
your summer!
