Rapid urbanization offers economic benefits but also leads to environmental challenges like habitat destruction, pollution, and the urban heat island effect. This Inquiry Brief engages students in analyzing real-world data to explore how cities impact climate, water systems, and extreme weather events. Through critical thinking and problem-solving, students will evaluate sustainable solutions such as green roofs, permeable pavement, and urban green spaces.
What is an Inquiry Brief?
Inquiry Briefs are compact, targeted case studies designed for assessment purposes, closely aligning with the AP Environmental Science (APES) curriculum. Unlike traditional case studies, which provide background information to teach students before asking questions, Inquiry Briefs present a limited amount of information and require students to apply their prior knowledge - similar to the format of the AP exam. Each of the nine Inquiry Briefs corresponds to a specific APES unit and includes AP-style free-response questions (FRQs), making them effective tools for end-of-unit assessments or end-of-year review. Each brief includes both a student edition and a teacher edition with complete answer keys.
Challenges Associated w/ Urbanization - APES Unit 4 (Teacher & Student Edition)
ZIP file containing 3 PDF files
(1 Teacher Edition, 1 Student Edition, 1 Science Outside Terms and Conditions)
AP® Environmental Science Learning Objectives
4.6 Describe the characteristics of a watershed4.8 Describe how the Earth’s geography affects weather and climate
5.10 Describe the effects of urbanization on the environment5.13 Describe methods for mitigating problems related to urban runoff
9.6 Explain the causes and effects of ocean warming
9.10 Explain how human activities affect biodiversity and strategies to combat the problem
AP® Environmental Science Practices
1.C Explain environmental concepts, processes, or models in applied contexts.2.A Describe characteristics of an environmental concept, process, or model represented visually.
2.B Explain relationships between different characteristics of environmental concepts, process, or models represented visually: *In applied contexts.
2.C Explain how environmental concepts and processes represented visually relate to broader environmental issues.
5.A Describe patterns or trends in data
5.C Explain patterns and trends in ata to draw conclusions
5.E Explain what the data implies or illustrates about environmental issues
7.A Describe environmental problems
7.B Describe potential responses or approaches to environmental problems
7.C Describe disadvantages, advantages, or unintended consequences for potential solutions.
7.D Use data and evidence to support a a potential solution
7.E Make a claim that proposes a solution to an environmental problem in an applied context
7.F Justify a proposed solution, by explaining potential advantages