Overview
The Honors Environmental Science class is a rigorous, college-preparatory class taken by all juniors. It is designed to provide students with a college-preparatory experience that builds on the science principles taught in 9th and 10th grades and integrates many scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, ecology, physics and botany. To be successful in the class, students must demonstrate proficiency in all three components of the course: curricular studies, ACT preparation and the Junior Research Project (JRP).
The Environmental Honors course includes laboratory and field investigation methodologies in order for students to be able to explain the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving and/or preventing them.” By the very nature of the topics and their relevance to current events, this course appeals to a wide diversity of students who have interests in the environment and nature, science, engineering, social sciences, law, economics, and other subjects. This diversity lends itself to discussions and interesting presentations of scientific topics, concepts, and data empowering a diversity of students with scientific knowledge at the college level.
Environmental Science Curriculum
The Environmental Science curriculum is current, integrated and relevant to today’s rapidly changing world. Instruction offers a future-oriented approach steered towards looking at how we can understand and solve environmental problems, rather than dwelling on the past. Rather than bemoaning global warming, deforestation, pollution and similar issues, students work on projects which restore native habitat, recycle school waste, build green energy systems and develop programs to educate the East Mountain community about local environmental issues. A major emphasis of the course is the process by which scientific knowledge is developed and validated through observation, measurement and replicable experimentation. Major topics include:
Biogeography and Biodiversity
Environmental Success Stories
Scientific Thinking and Practice
Energy and Nutrient Budgets
Geologic Process and the Biosphere
Plant and Animal Interactions
Population Dynamics
ACT Preparation
In the fall of 2009, the EMHS Science Department began a pilot program to use the ACT – a college entrance exam – as a short cycle assessment to monitor student growth. As a result, EMHS students improved their Science ACT scores by 2.3 points over previous years on a 36 point scale. This preparation is a major component of this honors course and the goal is to ensure each student is ready to take the official ACT during the spring term of the junior year.
Junior Research Project
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of the class is the Junior Research Project. The Junior Research Project centers around students having the 21st century skills they will need to succeed in their future endeavors. This includes skills that are more than just academic. The philosophy of this project is partly drawn from the work of Matthew Crawford and his book “Shop Class as Soul Craft.” He says, “We [are creating] a generation of students who can answer questions on standardized tests, know factoids, but they can’t do anything.” In order to successfully complete the Junior Research Project, students must excel not only in the classroom but must complete a field project as well. Students are expected to work with community mentors, put in thirty hours of field work and finish a project that has a clear benefit to the East Mountain community. Beginning in September, students are expected to complete six hours of field work every two weeks in order to accumulate their thirty hours of field work.
Students will select a project based on a variety of opportunities available to them. Numerous community members have a vested interest in the young people of EMHS thus affording our students an opportunity to be stakeholders in environmental decisions that impact this area. The community has been very vocal about continuing relationships with EMHS as well as initiating new ones. The community of San Antonio and Intermountain Conservation Trust (San Pedro Creek) in addition to Bernalillo County, New Mexico Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife West, and New Mexico Tech have committed to working with students to provide unique opportunities in biodiversity exploration, habitat development, human responsibility, and ecological dilemmas resulting from anthropogenic and natural phenomena. These opportunities are key for real-life application and fruitful investigation thus providing students with excellent project opportunities.
Not only should all students graduate college-ready, but they should also be prepared to be successful in the working world. Students who complete successful field work will be able to add a new skill to their resume and even prepare themselves for a summer job or internship. Several former East Mountain High School students have successfully landed internships at Sandia National Laboratories for their senior year.