Enviro-Sci

Big Ideas

Essential Questions

When investigating different systems (e.g., agriculture, terrestrial, aquatic), how does a habitat meet the needs of a species?
How do changes within living and non-living components of aquatic, terrestrial and human systems affect the balance within and between them?
How is the survival of species and their ability to adapt affected by natural and human induced environmental changes?
How does the quality of the environment affect the health of all living things within it?
How do humans influence the environment?

Key Concepts	Key Skills/Competencies	Standards/Eligible Content
Air, soil, water, and indoor pollution affect human health in a variety of ways.
Wetlands play an important part in pollution control, water quality and human health issues.
The misuse of natural resources can negatively affect the sustainability of society.
There are costs and benefits associated with cleaning up contaminants.
Diverse biomes exist in Pennsylvania.
The biotic and abiotic components within an ecosystem interact.
Organisms have specific roles in ecosystems.
Specific habitat management practices influence the success or failure of species.
Scientists use specific criteria to categorize organisms as threatened, endangered or extinct.
Scientists use a variety of physical, chemical and biological parameters to determine water quality.
Land use within a particular watershed will influence water quality.
A wide variety of wetland types exist within Pennsylvania.
Wetlands serve a number of beneficial functions for humans, plants, animals, and the environment as a whole.
Watershed boundaries can include a variety of habitats, ecosystems, and human influences.
Biotic and abiotic components within a habitat change, or differ, based on their location and topography.
Natural and human events can affect aquatic, terrestrial, and wetland environments in a variety of ways.
Organisms within an ecosystem interact with other biotic components, abiotic components and within populations.
Abiotic components are critically important for maintaining an ecosystem’s homeostasis.
Limiting factors affect the carrying capacity of an ecosystem.
Ecosystems and their components change over time.
A variety of cycles exist within an ecosystem and each helps maintain balance within the ecosystem.
Every living organism is uniquely suited to fulfill a role within its ecosystem.
Biological diversity directly impacts the stability of an ecosystem.
Species must be able to adapt to changes within their ecosystem in order to survive.
The degree of specialization of a species can cause it to become threatened, endangered, or extinct.
Animal species can be classified as generalists or specialists in their eating habits.
Habitat destruction can lead to species loss or termination.
The intervention of humans has influenced the survival of species through management practices.
Human endeavors and changes in natural cycles have caused species to become threatened, endangered, or extinct.
Environmental laws and regulations have been implemented in an attempt to protect species diversity.
Human health is affected by pollution.
Pollution sources can be categorized as either point or non-point.

Essential Vocabulary

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Common / Required Lab Activities

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Optional Activities

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Common / Required Assessments

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