Bolsa's newest AP course is difficult and ever-changing but will prove very rewarding for those who rise to the challenge.
By Carlos Baltazar
An AP class at its simplest. A complicated question to the answer of life at its hardest. One of the hardest AP examinations there is. But do not let this push you away from the material. It is only hard because of the ever changing world around us. The environment does not stay stagnant like calculus or English. It changes, and thus the exam changes. I'm here to discuss the material itself, the classroom setting, and a little bit more of how the exam is constructed.
APES--or AP Environmental Science--as its name states, is the study of the environment and everything under it. This material will offer all sorts of subjects under the umbrella of "environmental." A typical student will learn the effects of a pollution on the environment, the atmosphere of the world, and what effects the growing population has on the world.
Many of you may wonder who teaches AP Environmental at our school. The teacher is Jared Johnson. This year was his first year of teaching an AP class. It was a learning passage for both teacher and student in the class. I would say that he did a good job at his first year as an AP teacher. I also know that next year will be tougher for those taking the class. Some of the many subjects under Environmental that he covers include Earth systems, the living world, population, land and water use, energy, and global change. He will be able to cover all these and be able to provide many other tools that help the student achieve a high proficiency in the subject.
Mr.Johnson’s Environmental class is a tough one, to be honest. You may say that it is easy after hearing about it from other people, but many of them are not in the class and do not know what it is really about. After every chapter or unit, there is a quiz. This is the equivalent of a test--and hard as one too. It forces the student to use concepts, not just rely on simple memorization of vocabulary. The class also consists of the use of Chromebooks. This class has gone paper free, which suits the nature of the subject. Everything is done on the computer and it makes the class more efficient. The class is fun and the subject makes it a lot better too. It also helps that the teacher adds his personal commentary, which always keeps the class in laughter.
Now, for the AP test. The test consists of four FRQ's and one hundred multiple choice questions. It may seem hard but the it is very possible to obtain a 3 on the exam. Everything that you will learn in class as well as events that happen in the real world will be covered in the test. There are many different environmental events that occur each year. This another reason that the exam is hard. You shouldn't be surprised when you are asked about a oil spill that may have occurred earlier in the year.
Do not fear this class because of the test. It is still a fun class to take, nevertheless. I highly recommend you take this class, not only for a grade, but also to learn a new subject and to learn what you can do to change the world.
Many of you may wonder who teaches AP Environmental at our school. The teacher is Jared Johnson. This year was his first year of teaching an AP class. It was a learning passage for both teacher and student in the class. I would say that he did a good job at his first year as an AP teacher. I also know that next year will be tougher for those taking the class. Some of the many subjects under Environmental that he covers include Earth systems, the living world, population, land and water use, energy, and global change. He will be able to cover all these and be able to provide many other tools that help the student achieve a high proficiency in the subject.
Mr.Johnson’s Environmental class is a tough one, to be honest. You may say that it is easy after hearing about it from other people, but many of them are not in the class and do not know what it is really about. After every chapter or unit, there is a quiz. This is the equivalent of a test--and hard as one too. It forces the student to use concepts, not just rely on simple memorization of vocabulary. The class also consists of the use of Chromebooks. This class has gone paper free, which suits the nature of the subject. Everything is done on the computer and it makes the class more efficient. The class is fun and the subject makes it a lot better too. It also helps that the teacher adds his personal commentary, which always keeps the class in laughter.
Now, for the AP test. The test consists of four FRQ's and one hundred multiple choice questions. It may seem hard but the it is very possible to obtain a 3 on the exam. Everything that you will learn in class as well as events that happen in the real world will be covered in the test. There are many different environmental events that occur each year. This another reason that the exam is hard. You shouldn't be surprised when you are asked about a oil spill that may have occurred earlier in the year.
Do not fear this class because of the test. It is still a fun class to take, nevertheless. I highly recommend you take this class, not only for a grade, but also to learn a new subject and to learn what you can do to change the world.