1. AP Environmental Science (APES)

2. Major Themes Science as a process Energy conversions
Earth as a connected System
Humans altering natural systems
Environmental problems have social & cultural components
Human survival depends on developing SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

3. Major Topic Areas Earth Systems & Resources (10-15)
The Living World (10-15)
Population (10-15)
Land & Water Use (10-15)
Energy Resources & Consumption (10-15)
Pollution (25-30)
Global Change (10-15)

4. How do I get college credit?
Depending on the college:
Can earn 3 credits for earning a 3, 4, 5
Make sure to keep as evidence:
My syllabus
Lab Notebook
All work you have done for class

5. Ultimate Goal

6. Unfortunately… Global Pass Rate…
50%
You MUST study!!! I cannot study for you or take the exam for you. YOU must learn the material!

7. So… Don’t be this Guy!!!

8. AP Environment Science Exam

9. AP Exam 3 Hour Exam broken into two sections: Calculators NOT ALLOWED
Multiple Choice
Free Response Questions
Calculators NOT ALLOWED
Never leave anything blank
NOT Penalized for Guessing
No one has ever earned a 100%
Just use your head and do your best!

10. Multiple Choice
100 Questions
90 Minutes
Constitutes 60% of your Score

11. Types of M.C. Questions NO – All of the Above / None of the Above
NO – Negative Stem
“Which of the following is NOT”…
Some Math Questions
Some Roman Numeral
a)I, b) II, c) III, d) I & II, e) I & III
Some “Best Possible Answer”
All answers correct, must pick best answer based on question

12. Free Response Questions (FRQ’s)
90 minutes
~20 minutes / question
No Reading Time – start as soon as you get it
Constitutes 40% of your Score

13. Types of FRQ’s 2 Synthesis & Evaluation 1 Data Based 1 Document Based
Covering any topic from textbook, often covers many topics in 1 question
1 Data Based
Math Problem – must show all work & units
Credit is earned for set-ups AND solutions
1 Document Based
Data Analysis –or- Experimental Design/Analysis

14. Advice for FRQ’s – Quality over Quantity
Be concise and to the point
Read and answer questions specifically
Must be legible & sentence format
Bullets / Symbols = ZERO
Drawings ok if accompanied by explanation
This isn’t English class!
Don’t waste time trying to do 5 paragraph essay

15. Advice for FRQ’s – K.I.S.S. (Keep is Simple)
Better to be SAFE than SORRY!!!
Don’t try to be impressive/smart unless you are TOTALLY SURE!!!
Ex: Provide an example of an endangered species
California Condor / Whooping Crane / African Elephant = OK
Panda = ZERO (Giant Panda is correct answer)
Ex: Provide an example of an indicator species
Trout = ZERO
Brook Trout is correct

16. Advice for MATH FRQ’s MUST SHOW ALL WORK MUST include Units
Use Dimensional Analysis
MUST include Units
Scientific Notation
May Involve Graphing
Label Axes / Even Increments / Best Fit Line / Use Exam Book as Straight Edge to Analyze
You CANNOT earn a 5 without being able to do the Math!!!!!

17. APES BUZZ WORDS The 3 E’s Economic - $$$
Ecological – ecosystems w/o human influence
Environmental – human impact on ecosystems

18. APES BUZZ WORDS The Many R’s Reduce – Remediate – Reclamation –
To use / do less of
Remediate –
Removal of POLLUTION or contaminants from soil, water, etc
Reclamation –
Return disturbed lands to an improved state (mining)
Reconciliation –
Making human areas more habitable for other species
Restoration
Returning a degraded ecosystem a as similar as possible to it’s natural state
Rehabilitation –
Turning a degraded ecosystem into a functional ecosystem (not necessarily original condition)

19. Grading FRQ’s Graded using rubrics Followed VERY specifically
If question asks for two examples, must take first two given (even if others after are correct)
Ex: If asked for two abiotic factors, must grade ONLY first two answers given
Grader assumes you know nothing, so write it as if they know nothing

20. Words to AVOID Good (positive) / Bad (negative) Ideal / Not Ideal
Ex: “bad for the environment”
bad how??? Be specific!!!
Ideal / Not Ideal
Pollution
Ex: air pollution
what specific contaminants or damage?
Large / Small
Compared to what???

21. Don’t Give Up!!! Don’t ever give up on a question!!!
There’s a point in there for you somewhere!!!

22. Remember to eat a good breakfast!!!