Skip to content

High School AP Environmental Science

Back to Catalog Print Course Details

Suggested Prerequisites

Algebra 1 and two years of high school science, with labs

Description

With the current changes in global climate, rising sea levels, and warming oceans, it's crucial for you to understand the state of Earth's systems and the consequences of human activities. This course offers you a global perspective on your world and your role in it. You will explore the scientific principles and concepts needed to understand the connections between the ocean, land, and atmosphere that shape the natural world and make Earth a planet capable of sustaining life. Through laboratory activities, whether hands-on or virtual, you'll delve deeper into these relationships and reflect on your learning. Additionally, you will identify and analyze both natural and human-made environmental problems, exploring your own ecological footprint to see how your actions impact the world around you. By evaluating the risks associated with these problems and investigating alternative solutions like clean energy, sustainable practices, and conservation, you can contribute to resolving or preventing future environmental issues.

Module One: Ecosystems

-Availability of resources and species interactions

-Characteristics of aquatic and terrestrial biomes

-Biotic and abiotic interactions in biogeochemical cycles

-Cycling of energy and matter through trophic levels

-Food chains and food webs


Module Two: Biodiversity and Populations

-Categories of ecosystem services

-Ecological tolerance

-Island biogeography and evolution

-Impact of natural disruptions on ecosystems

-Types of ecological succession

-Survivorship curves

-Resource availability and population growth

-Age-structure diagrams


Module Three: Earth’s Systems

-Geological changes and plate boundaries

-Characteristics and formation of soil

-Environmental factors and the atmosphere

-Solar radiation and atmospheric process

-Earth’s geography and weather/climate


Module Four: Natural Resources 

-Concept of the tragedy of the commons

-Agricultural practices and the environment

-The impact of using natural resources on natural systems

-The effects of mining and urbanization

-Components of sustainability

-Solutions for reducing ecological footprints

-Advantages and disadvantages of pest control and management

NCAA-Approved Courses

Our NCAA approved courses are updated often. Please visit the NCAA Eligibility Center and use our school code to see all current eligible courses. The FlexPoint Virtual School NCAA High School code is: 850171 

Ready to Get Started?

Discover the Future at FlexPoint Virtual School… Your Customized Classroom of One

Learn How to Enroll