Transformative Environmental Science Course

Project NEXUS features standards-based science courses suited for upper elementary and middle level teacher education majors who need to be prepared to teach science content that requires an enhanced level of sophistication (both in knowledge and process) in a standards-based manner.

Envoronmental Science is a science area that has major representation in the upper elementary and middle school science curriculum. Therefore, Project NEXUS has utilized PHSC103: Technology and Human Affairs as an exemplary Environmental Science course suited for our elementary teacher education majors.

Fall 2008

Coppin State University

PHSC103: Technology and Human Affairs

PHSC103 provides a study of both positive and negative impacts of science and technology on human development and ultimately on human survival, including discussion of environmental issues, consumption of resources, population growth, health, nutrition, food production, energy sources, nuclear proliferation, pollution, technology transfers in developing nations and other subjects of current interest in the context of both national and international political structures and institutions. This course was taught by Dr. Scott Dantley (Associate Provost and Associate Vice President of Planning and Assessment, Coppin State University and Co-PI of Project Nexus) at Coppin State University in the fall of 2008.

Class design:

Group Activity and Presentation: Students were assigned to a group of no more than 5 individuals where they researched a current environmental science topic approved by the professor and prepared a powerpoint presentation that was shared with the class. The groups were expected to engage the class in an activity or discussion related to the topic.

Research Paper:
Students were requiered to complete a research paper on an environmental science topic that was vetted and approved by the professor but different from the group work.

Class Participation :
Students were expected to complete weekly chapter readings, homework assignments and participate in class discussions.

Course Outline:

1. General Introduction
   1. Science, Scientific method, experimentation, theories and natural laws
   2. Towards a Sustainable future
2. Ecosystems: what they are
   1. A description
   2. The structure
   3. From Ecosystems to Global biomes
   4. The Human factor
3. Ecosystems: how they work
   1. Matter, Energy and Life
   2. Energy flow in Ecosystems
   3. Nutrient cycle
4. Ecosystems: how they change
   1. Dynamics of natural population
   2. Population equilibrium
   3. Species adaptation
5. The Human Population
   1. Expansion and its Causes
   2. Consequences of population growth and Affluence
   3. Dynamics of population growth
   4. Population and Development
6. Renewable Resources
   1. Water: a vital resource
      1. The Hydrologic cycle
      2. Water stewardship
   2. Soil: foundation for land ecosystems
      1. Basic soil characteristics
      2. Soil Degradation and Conservation
   3. The production and distribution of food
      1. Crops and Animals: major patterns of food production
      2. Food distribution and trade
   4. Wild species and Biodiversity
      1. The value of wild species
      2. Biodiversity and its decline
7. Energy
   1. From fossil fuels
   2. Nuclear energy: promise and problems
   3. Renewable energy
8. Pollution and Prevention
   1. Environmental hazard and human health
   2. Water pollution and prevention
   3. Hazardous chemicals pollution and prevention
   4. The Atmosphere: climate change and ozone depletion
9. Other selected topics as appropriate.

This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0455752. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

© 2005 University of Maryland