AP Environmental Science
Summer Assignments, 2017
Welcome to AP Environmental Science! This
course is designed to be the equivalent of a
one semester, introductory college course in
Environmental Science. The goal of the AP
Environmental Science course is to provide students with the scientific principles,
concepts and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural
world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to
evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems and to examine alternative
solutions for resolving or preventing them.
This summer assignment is designed to prepare you for the content of the class. There
are 7 parts (8 for freshmen) to this assignment.
These will be due on the second day of school.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email me at [email protected]. I will
be traveling abroad this summer but will check my school email and respond when I can.
Task One: Book Excerpt: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson was first published in 1962 and
launched the environmental movement.
Your assignment is to read Chapters 1 – 3. Available online at:
Silent Spring Chapters 1 - 3
Write a response paper to this text, focusing on the question that ends chapter 3 on
page 37: “We are rightly appalled by the genetic effects of radiation; how then, can we
be indifferent to the same effect in chemicals that we widely disseminate in our
environment?”
Your paper should be 1 – 2 typed pages, double spaced and include at least three
references from the text.
Task Two: Chemistry
Part A:
On notebook paper, neatly hand draw a table with 2 columns. In the first column, fill in
the symbols shown below. In the second column, write the name of the element, molecule,
or compound. Use a ruler to draw your lines so that your information is organized neatly.
Typed work will not be accepted.
CO2
P
CO
PO4
C6H12O6
S
CH4
SO2
H2
Cl
N2
K
NO2
NaCl
NO3
Pb
NH3
U
NH4
Rn
O2
Hg
O3
NO2
SO3
Part B:
Also on notebook paper, neatly hand draw a table with 2 columns. In the first
column, copy the descriptions below. In the second column, write the chemical
reaction that matches the description.
Example:
photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Burning coal (carbon)
Burning natural gas (methane)
6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O2
Burning gasoline (octane)
Photochemical smog formation
Ozone formation
Ozone destruction (with Cl as a catalyst)
Task Three: Acronyms
On a separate sheet of notebook paper, hand draw a neat chart organizing the
acronyms below which will be commonly used in class and on the AP Environmental
Science exam. Look up and record what each acronym represents. Again, typed
responses will not be accepted.
APES
BOD
BTU (the unit)
CDC
ENSO
EPA
FDA
FEMA
GNP
LD50
NIH
OSHA
ppm / ppb
RCRA
GPP
USGS
Task Four: AP Environmental Study Guide
Preorder the 2018 edition of Princeton Review’s
AP Environmental Science study guide. It may not be delivered until
mid-September. You will need a copy of this workbook as soon as it
is available.
Task Five: Laws, Acts, and Administrations
There are many laws which serve to protect the environment. On a separate sheet
of notebook paper (turned sideways), hand draw a neat, six columned chart
organizing the laws, acts, and administrations listed below. Use my example below
as a template. This will probably take multiple pages to complete.
Many more laws, acts and administrations will be introduced at a later date. This is
the minimum you need to know upon entry. Typed responses will not be accepted.
Cairo Conference
CAFÉ Standards
CERCLA
CITES
Clean Air Acts
Clean Water Act
Endangered Species Act
FIFRA
Name
Clean Air Act
Draft &
Amendment
Year(s)
1963, 1977,
1990
Kyoto Protocol
Montreal Protocol
National Environmental Policy Act
NOAA
Oil Spill Prevention & Liability Act
RCRA
Rio Earth Summit
Safe Drinking Water Act
International
or US?
US
Description
To monitor and control air
pollutants such as sulfur dioxide,
nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide,
particulate matter, ozone, lead,
carbon dioxide, volatile organic
compounds, mercury. Meant to
protect public welfare and health
and to regulate emissions of
dangerous air pollutants.
Issue(s)
Affected
Air
pollution,
human
health
Agency
EPA
Task Six: Math Skills
Calculators are not allowed on the AP exam and, as such, you will not be allowed to
use them in class either. Fortunately, the calculations and skills necessary are
pretty basic…nothing beyond simple arithmetic and algebra.
In Blackboard, open the document called “Summer Math” and complete the 50
problems. On the AP exam, the people reading and scoring your free response
questions must see every step of your work. Even if you can solve these problems
mentally, you still must demonstrate your problem solving technique by writing
every step. Therefore, all work must be shown, units must be included throughout
the problem and the answers should be circled. It is important that we establish
these habits now so that you can maximize your points earned on the exam in May.
You will also need to create 4 graphs based on the data provided at the end of the
“Summer Math” document. I am wildly picky about graphs. Be certain to include:
 A good title – someone with no knowledge of the data should be able to read
the title and have a good understanding of the experimental methodology
 Labeled axes including units
 Appropriate interval and scale
 Correct type of presentation (line, bar, circle)
 Key, if necessary
There is no excuse for sloppy work. Use a straight edge to draw axes, lines, bars,
etc.
Task Seven: Downloads
This one is easy. Make sure that you have downloaded the
following free apps to the device you will bring to class every
day.
 Infinite Campus
 Nearpod
 Socrative
 Any free periodic table
 Quizlet
 Any free QR Code reader
 Blackboard
Also, please join my class at remind.com by doing the following:
Rising freshmen: Text @3k7674 to 81010
Upperclassmen:
Text @ac87bh to 81010
Task Eight: STEM Freshmen Only
Over the next year, we will be studying multiple aspects of the threatened
population of Eastern Box Turtles at The Ridge Nature Preserve in Fayetteville.
Read the following article to familiarize yourself with this important indicator
species. Be prepared to discuss and answer questions about the research, data
collection, habitat, niche, and other concerns related to this turtle.
Eastern Box Turtle Article