Many Huntington High School upperclassmen decide to challenge themselves by taking Advanced Placement Environmental Science.
The full-year, one-credit course includes a lab. It’s open to juniors and seniors. Successful completion of Living Environment and Earth Science or Chemistry is required before taking AP Environmental Science. Students should compile a minimum 85 average in one of the prerequisite courses and also gain a teacher’s recommendation before registering.
“This course is designed to be the equivalent of a college introductory environmental science course,” states the high school course guide. “It is designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and man-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. There is a strong laboratory component to the class.”
Senior Abby Bellistri plans to major in business management at the University of St. Andrew’s in Scotland, but she saw value in taking AP Environmental Science this year.
“Most people assume many things about the environment and underestimate how important taking care of the environment really is so it is empowering to be able to be informed and capable to make environmental changes in your community and have that knowledge for the rest of your life,” Ms. Bellistri said.
Many of the seniors who completed the course last June have gone on top tier colleges, with several at Ivy League schools. Veteran science department faculty member Nicole Cooper teaches the class.
“I think that business and the environment go hand to hand with one another,” Ms. Bellistri said. “More and more businesses are learning to adapt to be more environmentally friendly. Being familiar with ways to be more sustainable will make your business more successful in the long run. Sustainable development is a huge part of AP Environmental Science and is a key component of businesses, especially as technology advances and the environment becomes more and more at risk.”
