Course Work Students' learning experiences will focus on acquiring the skills and knowledge in the core academic subjects (science, social studies and language arts) necessary to reach the 11th and 12th grade benchmarks for the Certificates of Initial and Advanced Mastery. In addition, the field based study will facilitate students' acquisition of the career and related work standards activities, e.g.,. teamwork, collaboration, personal management, and career development. Year Long Seminar This course serves as the anchor for all other Rachel Carson courses and is a requirement for all participants. These small group seminars will meet to discuss and debate topics related to natural resources issues. The seminar will be a place to share ideas for projects, learn from local professionals, and facilitate the exchange of information between students and teachers. The seminar leader will encourage substantive interactions among students and will promote an atmosphere in which students can respond to one another's work. The seminar time will also be used to provide instruction in computer use, accessing on-line resources, and address logistical concerns relating to other Rachel Carson classes. The students should expect to spend a portion of their seminar time on-line, outside of normal class times. Field Studies This course is required for all Rachel Carson students and will provide a rich variety of hands-on learning experiences outside the school walls in the surrounding natural areas. The focus will be on learning and applying the skills and concepts used by professionals in assessing, monitoring, and restoring impacted areas. It is expected that all participants in this course will make a positive contribution to Lane County's environmental health through active involvement in individual and team-oriented field experiences and action projects. Many of the components of this course will be directed by local natural resource professionals. Students should expect to spend a large portion of their time outdoors regardless of the weather. Opportunities to participate in professional technical curriculum in horticulture and agribusiness will be incorporated into the program. First Semester Technical Writing This elective course teaches students writing skills they will need most of their adult lives. Students will be exposed to writing for the world of work as well as for their own personal needs. Sample writing assignments include manuals, business letters, resumes, memos, directions, specifications, and recommendations. This course is for the student who is able to work independently, can meet deadlines, and enjoys working with computer technology. Ecology This course is an elective for Rachel Carson students. The focus of this course will be the in-depth investigation of the relationships and interactions of living things with one another and with their environment. A significant portion of this class will be delivered via the world wide web although some field work will be involved. Topics to be covered include: population studies involving native plants and animals, energy and nutrient flows in the ecosystem, and detailed study of local freshwater and forest environments. Second Semester Botany This elective course is devoted to the study of plants and their relationship to the environment. Topics include plant structures, classification, plant growth and development, ecology, and diseases. Students will have the opportunity to work in the greenhouse on plant research as well as raise plants for sale to the public. This course has a web based component as well as a field based component. Environ- mental Law This class explores the social, cultural and economic effects of environmental laws. Students examine past and current environmental conflicts and laws and assess the effectiveness of resulting legislation and its impact on the natural world and urban centers. Assignments explore how individuals and communities make complex decisions among competing interests. Weekly assignments and projects (on topics such as urban sprawl, environmental racism and pollution) require regular use of the Internet for researching and extensive analytical writing.     Use of the Internet When students are not meeting in seminar, the teacher and students will communicate online. Students will need to utilize and evaluate all the resources of the Internet. Teachers will use all available technology resources including digitized images, short audio and video clips, graphics, conferencing, and multimedia presentations to bring students in contact with one another. Student's access to the Internet will enhance the student's school experience by allowing them to tap the knowledge and experience of people and organizations around the world. Students will be encouraged to collaborate on natural resource issues with students everywhere.

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