Mr. Vancraeynest - Environmental Studies

03/13/12 - Keep the date open: the visit to Indian Point is tentatively set for May 30, 2012. Lunch included. Parents interested in chaperoning, please contact me. Details and permission slip to follow. Everyone will need an ORIGINAL photo ID to enter. 

12/8/11 - The questions for next Monday's class discussion are: to what extent should substances or practices that may be useful for many but harmful for a few be regulated ? Should regulation be pre-emptive or only after harm has been proven ? 

12/1/11 - The questions for next Monday's class discussion are: Should the Endangered Species Act (ESA) be repealed ? How effective has it been ? Can it be effectively enforced ? Are there external factors that render ESA ineffective ? 

11/17/11 - The questions for next Monday's class discussion are: Should humanity colonize space ? Search for extraterrestrial intelligence? Who should pay for it? Who - if any individual or organization should take the lead?
Please prepare by researching IN ADVANCE at a minimum: Drake equation, active SETI, space colonization 

11/14/11 - we are honored to be asked by the Tuckahoe Environmental Committee to help design recycling and anti-littering posters for Tuckahoe's new solar-powered garbage compactor bins. Powerpoint versions of the posters and design constraints are on today's calendar page.

11/10/11 - The class will visit the Tuckahoe Dept. of Public Works facility on 11/28/11. We shall learn from Superintendent DiMarco about the environmental features of the facility and about Tuckahoe's biofuel-powered sanitation fleet. Please return the signed permission slip for your student to me by Wed. 11/23/11.

11/9/11 - The question for next Monday's class discussion is: Should the US complete construction of the TransCanada Keystone pipeline from Alberta to the Gulf Coast ? If so, who should pay for its $13Bln pricetag ?

10/21/11 - The question for next Monday's class discussion is: Should governments regulate reproduction of its own or other nations' citizens ?

10/19/11 - I am changing the schedule of the class to add more structure and accountability to the students' learning.

Mon: class discussion on a controversial environmental issue to be announced to the class and posted on the class website by the previous Friday. I expect students to come to class prepared with background information and an opinion on the matter. I shall not assign other homework for the weekend.

Tue: traditional classroom instruction

Wed: traditional classroom instruction

Thu: project work: students determine in advance what they want to accomplish on their project by the end of the period and debrief me on their progress at the end of the period.

Fri: student presentations: rotating presentations of 10-15 min by 3 students about a topic assigned/chosen within a broader category. See calendar for specific assignments and presentation schedule by student.

10/7/11 - students received an individualized list of missing assignments to be signed by parent/guardian. The progress reports will go out 10/19/11. Any assignments not handed in by 10/12/11 without prior teacher consent for an extension, will negatively impact grades by earning no credit.

9/26/11 - Progress reports go out 10/12/11. Make sure you hand in all due assignments by 10/10/11!

9/10/11 - Thank you for the timely return of the parent letter acknowledgements.