Unit 9 Environmental Awareness

NYSSLS Performance Expectations (Objectives)

• HS-ESS3-1: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate have influenced human activity.
• HS-ESS3-2: Evaluate competing design solutions for developing, managing, and utilizing energy and mineral resources based on cost-benefit ratios.
• HS-ESS3-3: Create a computational simulation to illustrate the relationships among the management of natural resources, the sustainability of human populations, and biodiversity.
• HS-ESS3-4: Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
• HS-ESS3-5: Analyze geoscience data and the results from global climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of the current rate of global or regional climate change and associated future impacts to Earth systems.
• HS-ESS3-6: Use a computational representation to illustrate the relationships among Earth systems and how those relationships are being modified due to human activity.

Extraneous Content (No Longer Required)

• Detailed energy resource statistics memorization

Note: Unit 9 has been significantly EXPANDED under NYSSLS with emphasis on engineering design and human sustainability solutions.

Major Topics and Objectives 

9A. Energy
What energy sources are used worldwide and in the United States?
Video Lesson Nonrenewable Energy
Lesson 9A-1  Patterns of Energy Use
Lesson 9A-2  Fossil Fuel Resources
Lesson 9A-3  Nuclear Energy Resources
Video Lesson How Nuclear Power Plants Work
Video Lesson Renewable Energy
Lesson 9A-4  Conservation, Efficiency, and Renewable Energy
Lesson 9A-5  Biomass and Water
Lesson 9A-6  Solar, Wind, Geothermal, and Hydrogen
Video Lesson How Solar Panels PV Work
Video Lesson How Wind Turbines Work
Lesson 9A-7 Planning Our Energy Future

9B. Air Quality
What factors are measured to determine air quality?
Live Air Quality Map
Video Lesson Air Quality Overview (3)
Video Lesson 9B-1  Major Air Pollutants and Their Sources (2)
Video Lesson 9B-2  Photochemical Smog and Acid Rain (5)
Video Lesson 9B-3  Pollution Control Measures (1)
Video Lesson 9B-4  Stratospheric Ozone Depletion(3)
Video Lesson 9B-5  Indoor Air Pollution(1)

9C. Water Quality
What threats exist to our water quality?
Video Lesson Water Quality Overview
Video Lesson 9C-1  Wastewater from Humans and Livestock
Video Lesson 9C-2  Heavy Metals and Other Chemicals
Video Lesson 9C-3  Oil Pollution and Water Quality
Video Lesson 9C-4 Nonchemical Water Pollution
Video Lesson 9C-5  Water Pollution Laws - Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act

9D. Global Change
What global change threats are there to our planet?
5 Factors that explain recent Record Heat (2023)
Lesson 9D - Overview What is Causing the Earth to Warm?
Lesson 9D-1  Global Climate Change and the Greenhouse Effect
Lesson 9D-2  The Evidence for Global Warming 
Lesson 9D-3  Consequences of Global Climate Change

9E. Sustainability
What are the main componests of a Sustainable Future?
Lesson 9E-1  Sustainability and Economics
Lesson 9E-2  Regulations and Equity
Video WS Sustainability
Sustainability Innovations at MIT