HSS – The Syllabus Environmental Science with a focus on Ecology

Topics of Study  Intro Science Skills Environmental systems  Ecology Population ecology Evolution and community ecology Biomes and aquatic ecosystems Biodiversity and conservation  Humans and the Environment Human population Environmental health  Earth’s Resources Water resources The atmosphere  Sustainability Global climate Renewable/Nonrenewable energy

Course Questions 1.What is the scientific method and how is it used to investigate a question?(3.2.10) 2.How do organisms live, grow, respond to their environment, and reproduce?(4.1.10; ) 3.How and why do organisms interact with their environment and what are the effects of these interactions? (4.1.10; ) 4.How do humans manage and distribute natural resources? (4.3.10) 5.How do humans impact the environment and what responsibility must humans undertake? (4.5.10)

Grading Policy  Class work / Homework= 35%  Tests= 30%  Labs / Projects= 25%  Quizzes= 10%  There will be a midterm and final.

Course Guidelines  NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED!!!!  BR – Due every Day 1 in the bin  HW – Due at beginning of class; graded on completion  Lab reports – follow the guidelines  Make up work – You are responsible!!  Participation, Studying, Extra Help, Webpage, Plagiarism

Who is Mr. Harper?

Grew up in PA. Went to Penn State.

Harper Family

Latest addition - Ainslee

I enjoy…

Climbing Wolf’s Head in Wyoming

Fun Facts

Teaching Philosophy

Famous Quote “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” – Lao Tzu

I propose… “Give a student the answer and you solve his problem for a day. Teach a student to think and search for answers and you solve his problems for a lifetime.” – Mr. Harper

Challenge – Mindset Adjustment  Won’t give you all the answers  Be free; not dependent; think for yourself; solve own problems; use logic and reason to be confident of the truth  Receiving  Providing for yourself

Attitude – Big Factor  “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford  “I can” vs. “I can’t” attitude  Big impact on success