Environmental systems and Societies IB standard level only
Course content • • • • • •
Ecosystems Resource and population Management Pollution Management The issue of Global Warming Conservation and Biodiversity Environmental Philosophy
• Can you consider issues from different perspectives?
• Do you have strong ATL Transfer skills? • It is a transdisciplinary subject. • It covers some biology and geography but also economics, politics, other sciences and even philosophy.
• Are you a critical thinker? • Can you see the big picture? • Do you have strong debating and problem-solving skills?
Cross-border pollution: who legislates and who pays ? Prevailing winds are from the SW
Acid rain releases Aluminium in the soil, which is washed into lakes and kills fish. Is it German or British carbon polluting Norwegian lakes? Who pays for the damage done? How can we stop it ?
• Involves 20% internal assessment including lots of field work outdoors. • 2 Exams including 2 essays and analysing a data booklet of resources on a case study.
Compulsory 4 day Fieldtrip to the Chiang Mai area
Mangrove tree planting
• Supports careers in resource management, business, law, journalism, sustainable management, environment design and engineering, • But you need Chemistry for Env. Science at University.
What have you produced today?
WE DO NOT INHERIT THE EARTH FROM OUR ANCESTORS, WE BORROW IT FROM OUR CHILDREN.
Student comments • “ESS is a great way to take science and make it more relevant. You’ll do a bit of biology and a little chemistry (like, a very little), but it’s nothing scary. That’s what’s awesome: ESS is the science course to take whether you love science or are scared by it. Personally, I scored well in MYP Science, but you can do well in ESS no matter how your MYP went, given some effort. Plus, you learn about some interesting issues in Year 13. TAKE ESS!” Greg
• “Choose what you think will be best for you, not what your friend is choosing, not what your parents want you to choose and not because other people say that ESS is not a real science, because ESS is and it is also challenging in other aspects.” Amanda
Analysing the abiotic preferences of mealworms
• “ESS is a subject that combines the experimental sciences with the social sciences that allows students to appreciate the interconnectedness of the environment and human culture. My advice would be to treat ESS as you would any other subject: study hard, pay attention in class and meet the deadlines.” Hoyon
• See Miss Shead, Mr Scoones or Miss Perry for more information