4/30/15

Today in class we revisited wastewater treatment (in lieu of visiting Newtown Creek :-) as well as the land and water use units. For tomorrow, you need to complete Assignment 76 (read this and answer #1 of this) and I recommend that you work on Assignment 75A and B. And study. As much as you can/want.

Assignment 75A (scroll down for answers)
Assignment 75B #2 (scroll down) and answers
Assignment 75B #3 (scroll down) and answers

APES Exam Resources

Alex Djonovic and Andrea Gasic were kind and excellent enough to share their APES exam study guide. Feel free to use it as you see fit. And thank them if you get a chance.

Saturday Session Study Guides
Geologic Processes and Soil
Ecology and Biogeochemical Cycles
Aquatic and Terrestrial Biomes
Population
Agriculture and Pesticides
Nonrenewable Energy
Renewable Energy
Biogeography and Climate Change
History and Legislation

2003 APES Exam - Questions and Answers (Powerpoint - big file)
2003 APES Exam - Questions and Answers (Google Slides - may be easier to view)

Trip to Newtown Creek is...

...postponed. My apologies - the folks at Newtown Creek reached out and asked that due to a staffing issue that we postpone our trip until later this month. If we wait (date TBD ASAP), then we can see more of the facility (as was intended) and how it works. So basically, we're waiting because we're nice people and so that we have the most interesting trip possible.

Also, we get a little more time in class to review. You're so excited.

4/28/15

Today we reviewed renewable and nonrenewable energy resources and the impacts of their usage. Please work on and complete Assignment 74A/B as soon as you can. We're almost there.

Assignment 74A #2 (scroll down) and answers
Assignment 74A #3 (scroll down) and answers

Assignment 74B (answers at the bottom)

Assignment 75A (what we will likely discuss on Thursday morning)

Math Help

Some students expressed some concern about the math that was part of today's assignment. This type of math is common in physical science classes in college and can be relatively useful in daily life. On the AP exam, it is quite common to encounter a long free response question that involves some dimensional analysis. Thus, we are going to practicing dimensional analysis in class and outside of it. Of course, I will do my best to help you in class and support you outside of it. In the meantime, here are a potentially useful resource and a video that goes along with it.

4/27/15

Today we reviewed Populations in preparation for the APES exam next Monday. I suggest working on Assignment 73 A/B, but do remember that tomorrow we will be having our Environmental Laws/Treaties/Protocols check-in tomorrow, so you should prepare accordingly. Finally, you should bring in the permission slip for Thursday's trip to Newtown Creek. Parents/guardians are welcome as well.

Today's Materials
Populations Review sheet
Assignment 73A (answers at the bottom)
Assignment 73B - "2" and answers (scroll down to #2 in both cases)
Assignment 73B - "4" and answers (scroll down to #4 in both cases)

Also, #4 from the 2008 Exam could be helpful to go over again. Answers.

4/24/15

Your homework for this weekend is continue studying and preparing for next Monday's AP exam. One significant part of the course that you need to be very familiar with the legislation used to promote sustainability. Here is a overview of that legislation and there will be a checkin on Tuesday.

Also, remember to get your permission slip for Thursday's trip signed and back to me ASAP.

4/23/15

Keep on truckin' (that means keep working). Use 72A and notes to help you prepare for the FRQs tomorrow. We're getting there.

4/22/15

Today we reviewed pollution and global change for tomorrow's exam. Please complete the multiple choice practice questions here (answers found at the bottom) and the practice free response questions here (question #2 from the 2014 exam) and here (question #3 from the 2013 exam). You can find the answers to #2 and #3 as well.

Good luck studying.

4/21/15

Today's review focused upon the Ecology and Biogeochemical Cycles unit. You should do your best to complete as much of Assignment 71A/B as possible. Remember that the Pollution and Global Change Unit Exam will occur on Thursday and Friday in class.

Assignment 71A (answers are found at the end of the document)
Assignment 71B and answers

If you are going on the Hamlet trip tomorrow then I STRONGLY SUGGEST that you check the website tomorrow to the review materials posted for the Pollution and Global Change exam.

4/20/15

Today begins our review for the APES exam on May 4th. There were a lot of absences (due to the 11th grade field trip and 12th grade... rain outside?), so let's be clear about what is expected of you. Today in class we discussed topics and questions relevant to the Earth Systems and Resources unit. Students were given 3 tasks to accomplish - 1. use this as a template to made a review guide for the unit's material, 2. work on practice MC questions (Assignment 69, below), and 3. work on practice FRQ questions (Assignment 70, also below), and 4. check/score/revise Assignment 68.

Going forward (until after the APES exam), you homework and how it is checked are slightly changed. Tomorrow (or any day going forward) you can show me any completed work from this week for credit/Work Habits points, but missing/incomplete work will not count against you.

Assignment 68 #1 answers
Assignment 68 #2 answers (it's #1 from the 2004 exam)

Assignment 69 - Earth Systems and Resources MC Practice Questions (w/ answers at the end)

Assignment 70 Part 1 (#3 from the 2014 exam) Earth Systems and Resources FRQ Practice #1 and answers
Assignment 70 Part 2 (#4 from the 2004 exam) Earth Systems and Resources FRQ Practice #2 and answers

4/17/15

This weekend's homework is to complete Assignment 68 and to... STUDY and REVIEW. The Pollution unit exam will take place on Thursday and Friday of next week.

4/16/15

For tomorrow, you should go over this week's notes and material for tomorrow's check in and complete the Unit 7 Mini-Project.

4/15/15

11CD

Tonight's homework is to complete Assignment 67. Here is the link for #3. The pollution unit exam will take place on Thursday and Friday of next week. REMINDER: The Particulate Matter mini-project is due on Friday.

12BD

The homework due Friday is to complete Assignment 67. To do so, watch the video clips and read p. 520, 521 and p. 538 from Botkin and Keller. Here is the link for #3. There will be a check-in on Friday. Also, the pollution unit exam will take place on Thursday and Friday of next week. REMINDER: The Particulate Matter mini-project is due on Friday.

Resources:
"The Vice Guide To Congo" (watch at least parts 1 and 2)
"Following The Trail Of Toxic E-Waste"

Assignment 67 - Can We E-liminate e-waste?

Use the video clips and reading to answer the following questions to the best of your ability.

1. What are the issues that surround the production, use, and disposal of electronics like computers, cell phones, etc.?

2. What do you think should be done, if anything, about these issues? Support your opinion.

3. Review the New York City Department of Sanitation’s Initiatives page and the programs discussed there. How is New York City working to promote sustainability?

4/14/15

Tonight's homework is to complete Assignment 66 and continue working on the Unit 7 Mini-Project. The pollution exam will take place next week (date TBD).

Assignment 66 Solid Waste Management Comprehension and Reflection Questions

Answer the following questions to the best of your ability in complete sentences.

1. Which of the following statements best describes you?

Set #1

_____ I recycle of my own volition, whenever possible, and go out of my way to do so.

_____ I recycle on my own, but only when it is feasible and easy to do so.

_____ I recycle only upon prompting or when I have no other choice.

_____ I do not recycle, whenever possible, and go out of my way to do so.

Set #2

_____ I reuse materials and/or minimize waste of my own volition, whenever possible, and go out of my way to do so.

_____ I reuse materials and/or minimize waste on my own, but only when it is feasible and easy to do so.

_____ I reuse materials and/or minimize waste only upon prompting or when I have no other choice.

_____ I do not reuse materials and/or minimize waste, whenever possible, and go out of my way to do so.

2. Justify your responses to #1. Why do you think you manage your material usage and disposal in the manner that you do?

3. What factors influence how a person is going to manage their waste? What could make it easier to recycle or reuse? Which factors could make it more difficult?

4. From which sources does most of (y)our waste arise? What can be done to minimize that material waste?

5. Identify and describe one piece of legislation that addresses (non-nuclear) waste disposal.

6. How does discussing solid waste management connect to our ideas and definitions of sustainability?

APES Review Session #4

Below are the dates and links for the last set of review sessions. Please sign up if you are planning on attending (or even on the fence about it). All sessions will feature the same content - air and water pollution and working through the 2003 exam.

April 18th: Boys and Girls HS Brooklyn

April 25th: The Young Women’s Leadership Academy, Queens

May 2nd - NYC Museum School, Manhattan

4/13/15

Tonight's homework is to analyze your data and work to complete Unit 7's Mini-Project (due Friday) and to check (AND SCORE - I will be asking about it) your answers for Assignment 65.

Assignment 65 Answers
#1
#2
#3

Particulate Matter Data Collection Spreadsheet

Unit 7 Mini-Project “Investigating Sources and Effects of Particulate Matter” Analysis Questions

Answer all of the following questions to the best of your ability in completely sentences on a separate piece of paper to be collected.

1. Calculate the average illumination for each test card location.

2. Calculate the percent light transmittance using the following equation:

% transmittance =          ______average illumination____   x   100

                                             avg. illumination for control

3. Thoroughly analyze the data. Remember, this entails…

            a. Graphing the data

            b. Forming inferences, looking for trends, etc.

            c. Evaluating your hypothesis

            d. Explaining the data and connecting it to class content

4. What sources of error could have affected your data collection, data, and/or conclusions? How did these errors actually change your data/conclusions?

5. What actions can you take to cut down on the number of particulates in the air?

4/7/15 - Interesting Science Article

Hope that everyone is having a relaxing break.

Here is an interesting article I came across about the droughts and water usage in California.

4/2/15

Your homework for spring break is the following:

1. set up your particulate matter collector and let it... collect for the designated amount of time. This means you take it out from in between the plates (unless it serving as a control) and place it somewhere (in your room, near the window, etc.). Then you take it down, return it to the Styrofoam plate case, etc. and bring it back to school.
2. complete Assignment 65
3. maybe begin reviewing old exams, check-ins, notes, etc. for the AP exam?
4. optional/recommended - read Chapter 19 and 23.6-23.12 of Botkin and Keller

Resources
Powerpoint on Urban and Indoor Air Pollution

4/1/15

Tonight's homework is the following:

1. review the Unit 7 Mini-Project and develop a hypothesis and basic plan
2. watch "Toxic Linfen" (at least Part 1 on YouTube) or here (whole movie through Vice Media)
3. prepare for tomorrow's check-in on air pollution
4. continue reading Chapter 21 to buttress your knowledge

Resources
Powerpoint from class today on Air Pollution