Environmental Science: Conservation and Sustainable Solutions

Ever wonder how clean our air and water really are, or how we can restore damaged ecosystems? How can we protect wildlife and the habitats they depend on? In Conservation and Sustainable Solutions, students explore real-world environmental challenges and the innovative tools we use to solve them, with a strong foundation in biodiversity and conservation. They will examine the intricate relationships between species, the importance of preserving ecosystems, and the consequences of biodiversity loss on both nature and human societies.

A key part of this exploration involves learning how pollution and habitat destruction threaten the stability of our natural world. Students investigate the causes and effects of water and air pollution, examining their sources, impacts, and potential solutions. In the second half of the course, the focus shifts to global climate systems. Students analyze the science of the greenhouse effect and evaluate the environmental trade-offs of our energy choices, from fossil fuels to renewables.

To conclude their journey, students look toward the future by studying youth leaders who are driving environmental change and by surveying their own communities to identify the real-world obstacles that prevent sustainable living. Through case studies and hands-on activities, students will discover how nature can heal with the help of scientific research and personal agency, ultimately identifying their own role in building a sustainable path forward.

By engaging in discussions, collaborative projects, and interactive learning experiences, students will develop problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of the connections within the environment. This course empowers students with the knowledge and tools to create a more sustainable future—both in their communities and beyond.

In this standard-level course, students are expected to invest approximately 6 hours per week on their course work.

Acknowledgements

Successful completion of a full year of biology or equivalent.

This course contains an end-of-course proctored exam. Instructions for students to identify an appropriate adult proctor are included in the course lessons.

Course Objectives

Course Essential Questions:

What is the significance of biodiversity on ecosystem stability?
What are the long-term consequences of environmental changes, and how can we use scientific principles to help develop sustainable solutions?
How can individuals, communities and governments work together to protect biodiversity and promote conservation efforts?

Course Learning Objectives:

Explain how the interactive components within environmental systems contribute to their stability and function using a systems thinking approach.
Analyze human impacts on ecosystems and natural resources.
Evaluate and propose evidence-based solutions to environmental problems.

Additional Requirements

Access to an outdoor space for natural observations
Miscellaneous craft supplies for hands-on modeling activities
Cell phone or camera and ability to upload to documents and course pages
Ability to watch YouTube videos
Accessibility Note: Although every effort has been made to make this course accessible to all students, some resources or activities in this course, such as audio files, images of visual art pieces, or hands-on activities, may present accessibility challenges.