Environmental Field Studies
Introduction:
Environmental Field Studies is an interdisciplinary elective offered at Pescadero High School. Aligned with a UC-approved course, this new class will offer students the opportunity to investigate their local region through a series of lessons and field trips. Students will visit the nearby state parks and preserved wilderness areas, local farms and nurseries, local business and non-profit organizations, as well as nearby universities and educational venues. Students will learn about various research methodologies and apply them to their field studies before, during, and after these trips. This course will also address service learning by providing examples of various community issues and events that the students could get involved in for their community service requirement. The course is designed to prepare students for their senior project, college and careers, and responsible citizenship. While the course emphasizes Environmental Science, it also has a strong Social Studies component, and will fulfill the “G” requirement for the University of California.
Brief Course Description:
Students will research local environmental issues and practice basic research protocols while investigating environmental and regional issues under the mentorship of local environmental agencies and professionals. An emphasis will be placed on students using critical thinking and analytical skills to make a positive impact on the environment and the local community. Students will become aware of the social, ethical, and management issues in the workplace.
Context for Course:
The course will build on the California Academic Science Standards, National Science Standards, and the University of California Expectations for Entering Freshmen. Students will be required to demonstrate mastery of environmental science content and field research protocol through project completion and presentation. Students will present project results both electronically and publicly to students, teachers, and community members. The students will gain experiences that will prepare them for future science careers and college programs.
Course Goals
The course will provide students with the opportunity to:
* Show multiple connections to other academic disciplines and to environmental issues.
* Continue to provide students with a foundation in current environmental research, technology, and local cultural geography.
* Gain an understanding of the fields of environmental science/technology and how the field research protocols can be applied to various areas of investigation.
* Get involved with an environmental agency or professional.
* Explore Community Service opportunities and various Career Paths.
Course Objectives
While completing the course students will:
* Continue to develop an understanding of environmental issues, current research results and methodologies, how to perform their own “action” research and the importance of environmental issues to the Bay Area, to our global economy, and to the students themselves.
* Conduct their own community-based research projects and present their results to peers and to the public.
* Continue to investigate multiple career opportunities in environmentally related fields.
* Apply language arts and mathematical skills to their local environmental studies.
* Develop the skills to transfer their science knowledge to new situations and applications.
* Develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills through direct experience in the classroom and in the field.
* Communicate and work with others.
* Understand environmental principles and be able to apply them to social, economic, and ethical issues; students will be responsible for making decisions about their own health and environment.
* Become involved with an agency or professional to investigate a local environmental problem.
* Apply their classroom learning to relevant, real world scenarios.
* Learn how to interact with community members and conduct various Service Learning projects.
Green Jobs - Environmental Field Studies – 2010/2011
Course Description
In the past at PHS, Environmental Field Studies (a UC-approved elective, originally started in the Clovis Unified School District), has been a survey course of environmental issues focusing on the geographical region of the LHPUSD. Each of the three semesters it was taught previously, students took approximately 16 field trips to a variety of state and country parks, local organic farms, regional open spaces, beaches and tide pools, and other nearby venues featuring natural resource management, ecological horticulture, or local history.
In 2010, EFS is being retooled to better serve the needs of our students and our high school campus. This revised version of Environmental Field Studies focuses on the development of Green Jobs and will feature several projects on the PHS campus. The course will emphasize job skills and career opportunities in the 21st century. The four environmental themes for the course will be Natural Resource Management, Energy, Agriculture, and Construction/Business. After an initial introduction, these themes will each be explored for approximately four weeks per theme, followed by finals week. We hope to have at least four field trips during the semester – one per theme.
Course Outline
Introduction – Who are you, where are you going?
Pre-testing, self-assessment; introductory lectures and activities - the state of the world, California, San Mateo, etc.; Social Studies/Philosophy, etc. Initial readings and research assigned.
Green Jobs & the Future (Introductory activities continued)
History of the Environmental Movement; Education and Career Planning; Work skills – hard & soft; Future Studies & the Four Themes. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #1; Next week’s readings assigned.
Energy, Part 1
The history and future of energy production and consumption; Strategic Energy Initiatives Sustainability Certificate Course, lessons 1-4. Readings & Class presentation. Quiz #3; Next week’s readings assigned.
Energy, Part 2
Strategic Energy Initiatives Sustainability Certificate Course, lessons 5-8. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #7; Next week’s readings assigned.
Energy, Part 3
Strategic Energy Initiatives Sustainability Certificate Course, lessons 9-12. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #11; Next week’s readings assigned.
Energy, Part 4
Strategic Energy Initiatives Sustainability Certificate Course, lessons 13-16. Field Trip preparation. Field Trip: CSM, Strategic Energy Initiatives site, or Alternative Fuel/Energy Facility. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #15; Next week’s readings assigned.
Agriculture, Part 1
The history and future of agricultural production and consumption; campus land audit; permacultural design for PHS landscape, garden, farm, ecocultural projects. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #4; Next week’s readings assigned.
Agriculture, Part 2
Work on campus landscape, garden, farm. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #8; Next week’s readings assigned.
Agriculture, Part 3
Work on campus landscape, garden, farm; Field Trip preparation. Field Trip: Pie Ranch, Blue House, Harley or Jacobs Farms. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #12; Next week’s readings assigned.
Agriculture, Part 4
Work on campus landscape, garden, farm; Research & reflection paper on Horticulture & Sustainability. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #16; Next week’s readings assigned.
Natural Resource Management, Part 1
The history and fundamentals of conservation, regulation, stewardship, and sustainability; environmental crises, renewability of natural resources; exploration of natural resources on campus. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #2; Next week’s readings assigned.
Natural Resource Management, Part 2
Watersheds; River of Words curriculum; Pescadero Creek studies (old & new); POST, MROSD, state/county parks, and other local resources. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #6; Next week’s readings assigned.
Natural Resource Management, Part 3
Service Learning 101; Resource Management Careers; Creek Studies; Field Trip preparation. Field Trip: POST, MROSD, State/County Parks, or LiMPETS. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #10; Next week’s readings assigned.
Natural Resource Management, Part 4
Research & reflection paper on Nature & Stewardship. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #14; Next week’s readings assigned.
Construction & Business, Part 1
The history and future of building & business; fundamentals of economics & ecology; campus building & financial audit; basics on architecture, LEED certification, “Natural Capitalism,” etc. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #5; Next week’s readings assigned.
Construction & Business, Part 2
Green Building Council Guidelines; Green MBA program curricula; Locate and design a campus building project (shed, greenhouse or outdoor classroom facility). Readings & Class presentation Quiz #9; Next week’s readings assigned.
Construction & Business, Part 3
Continue work on building a green structure on campus. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #13; Next week’s readings assigned.
Construction & Business, Part 4
Research & reflection paper on Green Building practices & environmentally responsible business practices; Field Trip preparation. Field Trip: Green Building (ie. Brower Center in Berkeley) and/or Green Business. Readings & Class presentation Quiz #17; Next week’s readings assigned.
Conclusion – Finals