The Development and Implementation of an Interdisciplinary, Resource-Based, Advanced Placement Environmental Science Curriculum using Spring Brook Creek in Langlade County, Wisconsin for The Unified School District of Antigo High School in Antigo, Wisconsin

Abstract

Prior to 2005, the writer could find no evidence of a formal Environmental Education curriculum anywhere within the Unified School District of Antigo, other than through a 1/2 credit elective Environmental Science course offered to juniors and seniors at the Antigo High School. Answering an initiative put forth by the district's curriculum director, in the spring of 2005 the high school principal requested that the course be re-designed and taught as a 1 credit, weighted Advanced Placement (AP) course, designated as A.P.E.S. During the 2005-2007 school years the writer followed the AP Course Audit procedures to acquire the AP accreditation for the school. A new textbook was selected, and requisitions for necessary supplies and lab equipment were assembled. Three full years of intensive interdisciplinary curriculum writing by the author ensued. Lab activities and the course scope and sequence were continually evaluated and tested in the classroom. Detailed 4' x 8' topographic and satellite maps of the entire watershed were acquired and displayed in the classroom (see Appendix H). These maps were utilized extensively in classroom studies, in Content Essential Questions (C.E.Q.'s) discussion sessions (see Appendix D), and to plan and execute a full-day culminating field trip for students to perform stream sampling studies and apply their acquired knowledge in the field (see Appendix K). Frequent references and visits to certain sites within the watershed provided key learning opportunities and demonstrations of local, real-life applications to the coursework. Following the curriculum writing phase in May of 2007 the accreditation process through AP Central was completed. This included submitting several forms as well as a detailed course outline and syllabus to be reviewed by experienced college and university faculty to ensure that the students were provided with AP-level academic rigor and college-level learning opportunities. In mid-July 2007 the writer received notification that the school's request for accreditation had been granted (see Appendix F). This authorized the school to use the 11AP11 designation on student transcripts in association with the authorized course, and students were able to elect to take the Advanced Placement Environmental Science College Placement Exam in order to earn college credit.