Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

College Board Curriculum

Cyberways and Waterways®

Part 1 - Scientific Analysis for:

1. Observing the Natural World and Developing Hypotheses data
2. Collecting Data
3. Critical Interpretation of Data

Observing and collecting data on water quality, analyzing and interpreting data.

Part 2 - Interdependence of Earth's Systems

1. Cycling of Matter (Water)

Background research of study site including climate, rainfall, water usage, flow of stream.

Part 4 -- Renewable and Non-renewable Resources

1. Water
   1. Fresh
   2. Oceans

Components of water quality such as pH, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, nitrates, Total dissolved solids and biological and chemical pollutants that affect water as a renewable resource and the Hydrologic Cycle.

Part 5 - Environmental Quality

1. Air - Water - Soil
   1. Identifying Pollutants
   2. Measurement and Units of Measurement
   3. Point and Nonpoint Sources of Pollutants

Monitoring for pollutants such as bacteria, algae blooms (nitrates and phosphates). Utilizing water test equipment to monitor and measure stream biotic and abiotic factors.

To report suspected sources of point and nonpoint source pollution.

Part 7 -- Environment & Society

1. Environmental Laws & Regulations

Become familiar with local, regional, and state water quality laws and to whom and how suspected water violations should be reported.

Part 8 - Choices for the Future

1. Remediation

Field work, collection of water quality data, analyzing and reporting data will address the remediation process should problems be observed.

College Board Field - Laboratory Exercises

Cyberways and Waterways®

Part 1 -- Field Investigations should be diverse.

1. Acquire skills in specific techniques and procedures such as collecting and analyzing
2. Conduct a long term study of some local system such as a nearby stream.
3. Analyze a real data set.

Utilization of water testing equipment in collection and analyzing water samples. Studies will be conducted for a minimum of one school year. A nearby stream will be studied. All data collected including chemical, biological and garbology will be interpreted and analyzed.

Part 2 - Laboratory and field activities should include the following elements:

1. Linked to a major concept or concepts in science to other areas in the course outline.
2. Allow students to have direct experience with an organism or system in the environment.
3. Should include observation of the system, collection and analysis of data and/or other information and the communication of observations and/or results.

All concepts are linked to other areas in the College Board Curriculum. All students will interact directly with the environment, which includes field trips for water analysis, biological sampling, and garbology. Students will interact directly with the environment by direct observation, collection and analysis of data in chemistry, biological sampling, and collection of garbage at the site. All information will be placed on a website with data downloaded for access and additional analysis.

Part 3 - Laboratory and field investigations of AP Environmental Science should challenge the student's ability to:

1. Critically observe environmental systems.
2. Develop and conduct well-designed experiments.
3. Utilize appropriate techniques and instruments.
4. Analyze and interpret data, including statistical and graphical interpretation.
5. Think analytically and apply concerns to the solution of environmental problems.
6. Make conclusions and evaluate their quality and validity.
7. Propose further questions for study.
8. Communicate accurate and meaningful observations.

Students observe aquatic systems on selected streams or rivers. CW follows a well-designed water quality program requiring observations, data collection, statistical analysis and communication of research results and data sharing with other students, schools and agencies. All data collected is analyzed with statistical methods. Data is graphically represented utilizing computer technologies. Conclusions and evaluations of data collected are based on sound "scientific method" models. Further related studies and extensions are encouraged. All data collected and related information will be downloaded to computers and placed online for communication with other students, schools, colleges, and interested local, regional and state agencies.