Environmental Science

Instructor:
Mr. Buckel
mbuckel@kent.k12.md.us
Mr. Rickard
trickard@kent.k12.md.us

Room: 308

Course Description: Environmental Science is a course designed to

show connections between a variety of science disciplines including
biology, chemistry, and physics. It gives students a realistic picture of
the applications of a variety of scientific concepts as they manifest in
our environment. During the course we will investigate topics like
ecosystems, human populations and energy of the world, while
continuing to cultivate scientific critical thinking skills.
Textbook: Pearson Environmental Science
Outline of Scope and Sequence of Topics for Environmental
Science:
Dynamic Earth
Ecosystems
Understanding
Population
Food and Agriculture

Water Resources and

Pollution
Air Quality and
Pollution
Land Use

Renewable and
Nonrenewable Energy
Sustainability

Grading Policy:
Quarters 1, 2, 3 and 4
Culminating Activity
Midterm and Final Exam

20% each
10%
10%

Each Quarter is broken down as follows:

Summative Assessments
70%
Which Includes: Exams, Projects, Quizzes, and Labs
Milestones
30%
Which Includes: Class work and Homework
Explanation of Assessments:
All of the test assessments will consist of a range of question
types from multiple choice to brief constructed responses. The
culminating activity is a creative project that offers the students
a chance to demonstrate cumulative knowledge of the material
learned in class.
Textbook/Materials:
Students will be expected to have paper, pens, pencils and their
textbooks EVERY day of class. It is required that students
maintain a binder in which to files notes, handouts, tests and
other completed assignments. Students must keep track of their
textbook and return the textbook with the identification number
on it at the end of the school year.
Explanation of Assessments:
All of the test assessments will consist of a range of question
types from multiple choice to brief constructed responses. The
culminating activity is a creative project that offers the students
a chance to demonstrate cumulative knowledge of the material
learned in class.
Textbook/Materials:
Students will be expected to have paper, pens, pencils and their
textbooks EVERY day of class. It is required that students
maintain a binder in which to files notes, handouts, tests and
other completed assignments.
Classroom Requirements and Procedures:
In order to provide an effective learning environment, the
following procedure will be in effect in the classroom. All cell
phones, other electronic devices, book bags, hats and coats will
be left in lockers. Be prompt to class and have all the necessary
materials. There is NO food and drink allowed in the classroom,

it is unsafe to consume food and drink in a lab setting. Students

will conduct themselves in a respectful and responsible manner
while in my classroom. In addition, students will respect the
property of others, including that of the Board of Education and
the teachers personal property. A safety contract will need to be
signed by each student before you will be allowed to work in the
laboratory. If a student fails to follow the rules during a lab that
students will be pulled out of the laboratory and given an
alternate assignment.
Class work/Homework Policy:
Students will have homework most weeknight and some
weekends. Some projects will be assigned that will be on longer
time frames and will require weekend work to complete.
Homework is an important part of the learning process and is
essential for a student to be successful in this class. Many
assignments are considered practice or study and therefore are
not assessed for a grade, but are still important towards success
in the class.
Late Work Policy:
Late work will be accepted only if an absence is excused.
Students may turn in a note excusing their absence to the
attendance office within three days of an absence. For each day
of absence, students have one day to make-up work. For
example, a student with two consecutive excused absences has
two days upon their return to complete missed work.
Absences:
The quantity and difficulty of material taught in this course make
regular attendance vital for success. It is the RESPONSIBILITY OF
THE STUDENT to collect handouts, make up missed work, and to
ensure they acquire any notes that were given during the missed
classes. Absence from class is not an excuse for poor
performance.
Useful Websites:
School Website: www.kent.k12.md.us
Powerschool: powerschool.kent.k12.md.us
Login:
Password:
Google Classroom: https://classroom.google.com/
Login: School Email Address
Password: School Email Password
Discovery Education: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/
Login:
Password:

Extra Help:
I am aware that some students will struggle with the content of
the course. Additional help will be available before and after
school for those students who request it.
I look forward to up coming semester and educating all of my
students. If there are any questions or concerns please feel free
to contact me before school or after school, or by email:
mbuckel@kent.k12.md.us

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Student Signature

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Date

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Parent Signature

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Date