AP Environmental Science - Summer Work 2025 - Introduction Letter & Assignments

Sep 20, 2026

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AP Environmental Science Summer Work 2025 letter introduces APES expectations and explains the purpose of summer assignments before the school year. It emphasizes that tasks should be completed independently without copy/paste or AI to build research readiness. The letter outlines course pacing for an AP exam in early May, highlights interdisciplinary environmental science themes, and connects personal observation to responsible citizenship. It also specifies submission guidance and several assignments, including an introduction Google Doc, a nature deficit disorder project, a local environmental issue analysis, and chemistry review tasks.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Assignment 1: Letter of Introduction

Assignment 2: Prevent NDD (Nature Deficit Disorder)

Assignment 3: Memphis Area Environmental Issues, Causes, and Solutions

Assignment 4: Chemistry Review

Part 1: Match symbols to chemical names

Part 2: Additional chemical review and pH questions

Part 3: Draw and explain biogeochemical cycles

AP Environmental Science Summer Work 2025 Dr. Jessica Minton [jessica.minton@gmsdk12.org](jessica.minton@gmsdk12.org) Welcome to APES! I am very excited that you have decided to take this course and stop to think deeper about the environment and how it affects you. This letter contains an outline and brief description of the summer work for APES that is required to be completed BEFORE the next school year begins. By performing these tasks on your own, without the use of copy/paste or AI, you will take a huge step towards preparing for the upcoming year. I want you to understand that I, like you, enjoy summer break! This is not “busy work.” By completing these tasks, you will perform research and source information that we will be using throughout the year. Because the AP exam will be held at the beginning of May, class time is very precious. We will use most of April to review for the exam which leaves us about seven months, including breaks and holidays to prepare for the AP exam. There are 9 units to cover, and we need to use all our time effectively. The more we can start during the summer, the less there is during the school year. Remember, that this course is modeled after a college course, so both the fast pace and depth of information may be new to you. This course requires dedication, commitment, and immersion into the field of environmental science. The study of environmental science is very dynamic and is an immense field of study. It is an interdisciplinary science encompassing topics in chemistry, physics, geology, biology, environmental studies, and geography. We face many environmental problems, and some of these will become more evident and of growing concern as you get older. Concerns about global climate change, acid rain, overpopulation, ozone depletion, waste disposal, energy use, endangered species, landfills overflowing, and many other issues are becoming a part of everyday life. We will examine our personal consumption and learn ways to become more responsible global citizens in the face of these serious environmental issues. Please email me any time with questions or concerns. I will be out of the country studying the education system and environmental landscape of Uruguay during the month of June and working at an environmental research lab in July, BUT I will respond as quickly as I can to emails. I will have my laptop and phone with me during my summer work. I look forward to the upcoming year learning together about Environmental Science. It’s one of my absolute favorite subjects. Each Assignment will have their own Google Doc link for you to use to complete each task. Overall Summer Assignments: Assignment 1: MUST Complete on this “Letter of Introduction” Google doc, including, but not limited to: a. Your full name and what you prefer to be called. b. Who you are and what are your interests? c. Why are you taking APES? d. First time taking AP? If not, what others have you taken? e. What are you most anxious about in APES? f. What are your college and career aspirations? g. Anything else you think I should know – hobbies, family, sports, clubs, etc. Assignment 2: Prevent NDD (nature deficit disorder) . USE this Google Doc to complete this assignment. I challenge you to reduce your NDD by getting outside, examine your environment and relate your observations to an audience. You are to select one of the following options as a product to report your findings: · Collect images of your habitats, of the often-overlooked parts too. The images must be captioned and your original work. 10 to 15 images, at least 7/10 or 11/15 must be of the outdoors. · Create your own glossary of nouns, verbs, and adjectives of your habits and habitats. Again, 10 to 15 terms with part of speech and definition; at least 7/10 or 11/15 relating to the outdoors.· Develop a public service announcement (PSA) or information campaign to help others deepen their appreciation for the value of natu

FAQs

What is the purpose of completing APES summer work before the next school year?

The letter explains that summer tasks help students perform research and gather source information that will be used throughout the year, preparing them for the AP exam schedule.

What rules are given for how to complete the assignments?

Students are instructed to complete tasks on their own without copy/paste or AI, so they build real preparation through independent work.

What are students expected to do in the chemistry review assignment (Assignment 4)?

Students complete multiple parts: writing chemical names for given symbols, answering pH-scale questions and comparisons, and drawing and explaining the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by McGucket