Environmental Studies

Avon Lake City Schools 

Curriculum Framework

Environmental Studies

Course Overview:

Environmental science incorporates biology, marine biology, chemistry, physics and physical geology and introduces students to key concepts, principles and theories within environmental science. Investigations are used to understand and explain the behavior of nature in a variety of inquiry and design scenarios that incorporate scientific reasoning, analysis, communication skills and real-world applications. Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry or currently taking Chemistry and recommendation from the science department. This class meets one period daily for ½ unit of credit. 

Textbook (Title and Publishing Company): 

Environmental Science and teacher created materials

Online/Supplemental Materials:

Explore Learning

Assessments: 

Final 

Content/Topics/Learning Goals

Subject to Pacing and Schedules

1st Quarter- Scientific Inquiry and the Great Lakes Ecosystems

  • Discovery the Earth’s environmental issues 

  • Ozone sensitivity and plants

  • Invasive species

  • Great Lakes Geography 

  • Great Lakes economic impacts and population

  • Great Lakes fisheries

  • Great Lakes Animal Research Project

2nd Quarter- The World’s Oceans and Marine Biology

  • Intro to Marine Biology

  • The world of plankton

  • Phylum Porifera- Natural history and anatomy

  • Phylum Cnidaria- Natural history and anatomy

  • Phylum Echinodermata- Natural history and anatomy

  • Phylum Mollusca- Natural history and anatomy

  • Phylum Arthropoda- Natural history and anatomy

  • Cartilaginous fish- Natural history and anatomy

  • Bony fish- Natural history and anatomy

  • Marine mammals- Natural history and anatomy

  • Final Assessment

Last Updated: Sedlick

September, 2023