An engaging science that doesn’t require algebra or a microscope. This Course-for-Credit Guide is ideal for students is grades 7 and up. The guide includes targeted review to prepare students for the DSST exam. As a biological high school-level science, students will focus on cause and effect, and solutions. A full-year course that includes field activities, current events reading, chapter quizzes, and guided DSST prep.
Grades 7-12
Full-year course includes field activities; with one-semester option
Written from a Biblical worldview
Requires minimal parent/educator prep time
DSST exam prep included in every lesson
Companion text is very affordable: Environmental Science ISBN 978-0030520198
Assignments and activities are designed to introduce and develop essential study and college-prep skills
For an individual student, homeschool co-op, or classroom
Environmental Science is one of my favorite starter exams because it is a high school science that does not require a microscope or algebra. It is ideal for grades 7 – 10. What I enjoy most is that it is a relevant topic that students can apply to their everyday lives. Students will be asked to think critically and understand how organisms and their environment impact each other.
The Environmental Science DSST exam includes topics: Ecological concepts (ecosystems, global ecology, food chains and webs), environmental impacts, environmental management & conservation, and political processes & the future.
In addition to the Course Guide, students will need a copy of the corresponding text: Environmental Science by Arms ISBN 978-0030520198, copyright 2000. It can be purchased from an online (Amazon or Addall) for under $10. The text is colorful, fact-based, and appealing to middle/high school-age students. With lots of charts and diagrams, students can learn the important skill of reading and interpreting data. There are more recent editions of this text, but I recommend the 2000 copyright for its fact-based approach.
I’ve taught this both as a semester and year-long course with added activities. Hands-on activities can be in the form of experiments, investigations (what is a carbon foot print, draw the carbon cycle), environmental movie and book reviews, field activities and field trips (local recycling center). Suggestions are included in the Course Guide making it a 1-credit year-long high school-level course, however, for those needing a semester-option, the scheduling of this course provides for that flexibility.
