AP Course:

AP Environmental Science

Kristi Schertz

CONSULTANT: Kristi Schertz

Kristi Schertz is an experienced AP® consultant, professional development leader, author, curriculum developer, and coach for science, AP® courses, science literacy, and technology.  She is currently in her 27th year teaching and 20th year teaching AP® Environmental Science at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, CA. She is the author of the teacher’s edition for the new 4th edition of AP Environmental Science for the AP Course published by BFW.

Kristi holds a BA in Environmental Biology from California State University Northridge and a MEd in Science Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas Arlington. She has been an AP® reader since 2011 as well as a mentor to new science and AP® teachers. In addition, she is a published author of AP® practice tests and environmental science test prep guides. She also writes a popular blog site for AP® science teachers and enjoys working in the garden and riding her e-bike in her spare time. 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course prepares both new and experienced teachers to effectively plan and teach AP Environmental Science. Participants will learn about the course format including the 9 instructional units, big ideas and science practices and how to use the new “AP Environmental Science Course and Exam and Description” book. 

Experienced teachers will be able to revamp their current course to better align with the Course and Exam Description and Science Practices and strategically plan their entire year. New teachers will be able to design their course from the ground up to ensure a successful first year. All participants will have access to my extensive Google Drive for one year with everything they need including labs, exams, notes, activities and study guides.

Participants will learn about the AP test format and how to effectively prepare students. They will also gain experience with scoring and teaching free-response questions, multiple choice questions and strategies. 

We will go over the new AP Environmental Science Lab Manual labs along with other labs and activities designed to purposefully integrate the science practices of experimental design, data collection and analysis and math calculations. Many of my labs are designed in the 5E format for student inquiry.  

Participants will learn how to use textbooks, instructional materials and instructional strategies for all students to be successful. They will also have time to design their AP course including scaffolding, spiraling and equity and access strategies for all types of schools and students.

Participants will leave with essential materials, labs and lessons to have a great year teaching AP Environmental Science.

Items Participants Should Have: Participants should have a laptop or tablet that can access the internet, their chosen textbook (if they have one), and a school calendar for the upcoming year.

Course Agenda:

The course agenda will adjust with feedback from participants to address the needs of the group, lab equipment availability and living materials that are available. 

*NOTE: For online APSIs, lab work will be a combination of demonstration, hands-on at home or going through the process of a lab if it's not feasible to do in an online format. 

  • Course and Exam Description 

  • Pacing and Planning introduction

  • AP Exam format

  • Several labs that can be done at home and or demonstrated on zoom

  • AP Audit for new teachers

  • Curriculum requirements

  • Equity and Access

  • Practice Grading FRQs

  • Content ideas

  • Pacing and planning

  • FRQ strategies

  • Science practices

  • Math