Updated January 2026 | by Terrianne Lavin, Ph.D.

AP® Environmental Science

Registration: Open for 2026–2027

Instructor Information

Currently, I am the Associate Chair in the Geography and Spatial Science Department at the University of Delaware, where I have taught since 2006. During the pandemic, I briefly left UD to teach for 2.5 years at the University of Kansas. While I love KU, I am happy to be back at UD.

I hold a Ph.D. in Climatology and an M.S. in Geography (both from the University of Delaware), as well as a B.S. in Meteorology from the University of Kansas. I have more than 30 years of experience developing and teaching climatology, physical geography, and environmental science courses at three institutions: the University of Kansas (KU), the University of Delaware (UD), and Florida Atlantic University (FAU).

In addition, I have enjoyed many years of homeschooling, teaching both my own two children and many of their homeschooled friends.

Through APES, I look forward to bringing science and leadership through mentoring, advising, and teaching environmental science—with an emphasis on equity and inclusion—to a diverse homeschool population. I create space for students to explore environmental science, sustainability, and policy concepts in depth, while encouraging independent and respectful discourse. I continually seek new ways to educate by creating new courses and exploring innovative teaching methods, including video-based and online instruction.

Course Information and Pedagogy

My core philosophy is that students should learn subject matter to a mastery level, and that mastery will occur at an individual pace. This approach results in a threefold practice:

1. Students may master content and move forward. If mastery is achieved quickly, there is no need to continuously repeat a mastered skill.
2. Students are never penalized for late work (life happens). To this end,

Parents are responsible for reviewing their students’ work and timeliness to ensure they do not fall behind. I do not police student pacing; instead, I require parents to take on this responsibility.

1. There is a weekly live session across both semesters in which I work with students on comprehension, conceptual understanding, test-taking skills, and current environmental issues. These sessions are recorded and uploaded to a private, class-shared Google Drive.

Course Format

Each week, students are expected to complete assigned readings, a series of interactive quizzes, and a chapter “test” from the textbook Environmental Science and Sustainability (Sherman & Montgomery, 2nd ed., 2022, W.W. Norton). See below before purchasing text.

Live classes meet weekly for approximately 1–1.5 hours (TBD) and may be attended in real time or reviewed via recorded sessions. Students are strongly encouraged to attend live classes.

During weekly live and recorded sessions, we conduct impromptu labs and real-world decision-making activities. We also complete timed FRQs followed by interactive, self-grading reviews, including explanations of how points are earned or lost. These FRQs are not formally scored but are designed to teach students how the College Board evaluates responses.

All assignments are organized into weekly modules that open once a student demonstrates sufficient mastery of prior material. Assignments may be repeated as often as the student (or parent) desires to achieve a target score. Scores are not averaged; only the highest score is recorded. There are no late penalties.

In addition, students complete College Board quizzes and unit tests. College Board content cannot be repeated. The final 3–4 weeks prior to the AP Exam are dedicated exclusively to exam review.

Text Required

Do not purchase prior to enrolling in the Canvas course.

Environmental Science and Sustainability, Sherman & Montgomery, 2nd ed., 2022.

After the class opens, students will be able to purchase materials directly from the publisher for approximately $83. This includes the e-book and access to interactive quizzes. A preview link to the e-book and quiz demos will be provided. Chapter quizzes are drawn from this text. All unit tests and FRQs are via the College Board.

Technical Requirements

• Computer with reliable internet access
• Email and Zoom capability
• Scanner or digital camera
• Course management via Canvas

Who Should Apply

This course is open to students in grades 10–12. Students should be prepared for college-level work and able to commit at least 8 hours per week. Completion of high school–level Biology, Chemistry, and Algebra I is strongly encouraged prior to enrolling in AP Environmental Science.

Course Schedule

Week of August 25, 2026 through the AP Exam in May 2027

Course Fees

• Early bird (through July 1): $825
• After July 1: $900 (two semesters)
• Approximately $83: Text and online materials
• Approximately $100: Lab materials (primarily common household items available at local stores)

Class Topics

All primary units tested by the AP® College Board will be covered. Assignments are completed online and include reading, writing, multiple-choice questions, and short-response problems. Each unit may include an online or documented lab.

Unit quizzes are provided to help students assess understanding prior to unit tests. Unit tests mirror the format and rigor of the AP® exam. Students work at their own pace within established unit deadlines.

• Unit 1: The Living World—Ecosystems
• Unit 2: The Living World—Biodiversity
• Unit 3: Populations
• Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources
• Unit 5: Land and Water Use
• Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption
• Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution
• Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution
• Unit 9: Global Change
• Unit 10: Practice Exams