AP Environmental Science is a new course offered at Orono High School this school year.  The college level course offered to juniors and seniors is taught by Suzannne Kehret, who is new to the district.

According to the Orono High School Registration guide for 2013-14, the course covers topics involving, “inter-relationships with the natural world, environmental problems natural and human made, evaluate risks, examine solutions to prevent.”

Since the class requires strong math skills, students interested in the course are recommended to have earned a B or higher in Intro to Physics, Biology, and Algebra II.

For senior Sydney Albertson, the class is rewarding. “Even though the class is difficult and requires lots of effort, I get to learn about caring for the environment which is something I’m passionate about,” Albertson said.

During a typical class period, students take notes, listen to lectures, and complete FRQ’s.  Labs are integrated into the learning and are a large part of the curriculum.

Although not enrolled in the class anymore because of schedule conflicts, senior Lydia Winkels  “found it to be a very heavy workload with lots of busy work.  The class requires students to be very organized and focused” said Winkels.

Throughout the year, AP Environmental Science students will be learning about a wide array of topics, including earth systems and resources, the living world, population, land and water use, pollution, and several other subjects.

All of this preparation and homework will pay off on the AP exam in May.  The exam is 3 hours long and has a multiple choice section that accounts for 60 percent of the grade with 100 questions, as well as a free response section, which is 40 percent of the grade and consists of 4 questions. The AP exam is graded on a scale of 1 to 5, where 3 is passing.

The College Board describes a student best fit for the class as “motivated and academically prepared.”

 Maddie Kileen is the News Editor for The Spartan Speaks.