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Lesson Plans, Teacher Guides and Online Environmental Resources for Educators

Find an array of environmental and science based lesson plans, activities and ideas below from EPA, other federal agencies and external organizations.  ​ Encontrar recursos para estudiantes y maestros.

Topics: Air | Climate Change | Ecosystems | Energy | Health | Waste | Water

Acid Rain: A Teacher's Guide   (PDF 56 pp, 4.6 MB) Lesson plan and activities from EPA for teachers on acid rain. Grades: 6-8 Type of Resource: Lesson plan

Acid Rain Student Pages Find the acid rain student pages, as well as general information for older students or adults. Grades: K-12 Type of Resource: Lesson plans and experiments

AIRNOW Get up-to-the-minute information about air pollution in your community, through a joint project from EPA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Park Service and other partners. The AIRNOW website includes maps, forecasts, and information about the health effects of air pollution. Grades: 9-12 Type of Resource: Website

AIRNOW Air Quality Resources  Find air quality curriculum materials and activities from AIRNOW, including a toolkit and workshop opportunities for teachers. Grades: K-8 Type of Resource: Curriculum guide

Measuring Air Quality Improvements from Vegetative Barriers This unit has been designed by EPA as a teaching aid on the topic of air quality; particularly, investigating the role vegetative barriers play in improving air quality for surrounding areas. Grades: K-5 Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Carl Gets Some Rest (PDF 12 pp, 765 KB) This EPA coloring and story book, for children in pre-school through 2nd grade, teaches a simple lesson: there are many transportation alternatives to using a car. Grades: K-2 Type of Resource: Coloring Book

Creating Healthy Indoor Air Quality in Schools This EPA page provides information on indoor air quality in school buildings and how to order the Tools for Schools Action Kit. The kit shows how to carry out a practical plan of action to improve indoor air quality at little or no cost using common-sense activities and in-house staff. Grades: K-12 Type of Resource: Toolkit

EnviroAtlas Educational Materials These ready-made lesson plans can be used in formal and informal education settings and are aligned with Next Generation and State Science Standards. Grades: K-12 Type of Resource: Lesson Plans

Noise Pollution for Kids   (PDF 15 pp, 6.54 MB) This EPA booklet for your students will teach you how to identify which sounds are loud and ways to protect your hearing and health. Grades: K-5 Type of Resource: Activity book

Particulate Matter (PM) Air Sensor Kits Particle pollution known as particulate matter (PM) is one of the major air pollutants regulated by EPA to protect public health and the environment. A PM air sensor kit has been developed by EPA researchers as an educational tool to teach children about air quality and air science. Grades: 5-12 Type of Resource: Hands-on activity guide

Basic Ozone Layer Science Find a straightforward explanation of the ozone layer and ozone depletion. Grades: 9-12 Type of Resource: Website

AIRNOW's Ozone: Good Up High, Bad Nearby (PDF 4 pp) Ozone acts as a protective layer high above the Earth, but it can be harmful to breathe. This publication provides basic information about ground-level and high-altitude ozone. Grades:6-12 Type of Resource: Booklet/Brochure

Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act A brief introduction to the 1990 version of the Clean Air Act, to help you understand what is in the law and how it may affect you. Grades: 9-12 Type of Resource: Booklet

RadTown USA EPA's RadTown USA is a virtual community that aims to educate students about the sources of radiation in our daily lives. Grades: 9-12 Type of Resource: Virtual activity

Teaching Kids to Conserve Energy at Home: Resources for K-12 teachers and parents This 11-minute presentation focuses on an introduction to energy and the environment, energy saving tips, how to use the Energy Star home energy yardstick, and homework ideas. Grades: K-12 Type of Resource: Video

Village Green Project These lessons provide a unique opportunity for students to learn about air quality as it relates to various topics of science appropriate to their grade level. The purpose of these lessons is to engage students of varying ability levels through hands-on and minds-on thinking. Each lesson is designed to focus around the topic of air quality; from issues of human health to career and 21st century skills. Grades: K-8 Type of Resource: Lesson Plan (PDF)  (52 pp)

Lea en español:  ¿Por qué Coco es de color naranja?

Why is Coco Orange? Coco has a problem. He is a chameleon, but he cannot change colors, and his asthma is acting up. Read how Coco and his friends at Lizard Lick Elementary solve this mystery as they learn about air quality and how to stay healthy when the air quality is bad. Grades: Pre K-2 Type of Resource: Book

Other resources

NOAA's Education Resources Website Explore this site to find the information you need to teach students about weather, climate change, and oceans. You'll find activities, background information, and much more! Grades: 6-12

National Park Service Education Resources Classroom materials, field trip opportunities and professional development programs for educators from the National Park Service. Grades: All

Climate and Health Lesson Plan and Toolkit by The American Public Health Association This lesson adopts materials developed by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIH) to make it easy for public health professionals to guest teach at local high schools. For more resources aimed directly at teachers, see Climate Change and Human Health Lesson Plans by NIH. Grades: 9-12

EPA Publications

EPA has many publications on every environmental subject that you can download or order. See our predefined searches below on specific search terms to help you view our publication offerings from the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP).

Predefined Search Terms:

  • Activity Book
  • Coloring Books
  • Environmental Education
  • Science Fair
  • Students Home
  • Community Service Project Ideas
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Homework Help and Activities for K-12 Students

environmental science assignment

Research Topics & Ideas: Environment

100+ Environmental Science Research Topics & Ideas

Research topics and ideas within the environmental sciences

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. Here, we’ll explore a variety research ideas and topic thought-starters related to various environmental science disciplines, including ecology, oceanography, hydrology, geology, soil science, environmental chemistry, environmental economics, and environmental ethics.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the environmental sciences. This is the starting point though. To develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to develop a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Environmental Topics

  • Ecology /ecological science
  • Atmospheric science
  • Oceanography
  • Soil science
  • Environmental chemistry
  • Environmental economics
  • Environmental ethics
  • Examples  of dissertations and theses

Topics & Ideas: Ecological Science

  • The impact of land-use change on species diversity and ecosystem functioning in agricultural landscapes
  • The role of disturbances such as fire and drought in shaping arid ecosystems
  • The impact of climate change on the distribution of migratory marine species
  • Investigating the role of mutualistic plant-insect relationships in maintaining ecosystem stability
  • The effects of invasive plant species on ecosystem structure and function
  • The impact of habitat fragmentation caused by road construction on species diversity and population dynamics in the tropics
  • The role of ecosystem services in urban areas and their economic value to a developing nation
  • The effectiveness of different grassland restoration techniques in degraded ecosystems
  • The impact of land-use change through agriculture and urbanisation on soil microbial communities in a temperate environment
  • The role of microbial diversity in ecosystem health and nutrient cycling in an African savannah

Topics & Ideas: Atmospheric Science

  • The impact of climate change on atmospheric circulation patterns above tropical rainforests
  • The role of atmospheric aerosols in cloud formation and precipitation above cities with high pollution levels
  • The impact of agricultural land-use change on global atmospheric composition
  • Investigating the role of atmospheric convection in severe weather events in the tropics
  • The impact of urbanisation on regional and global atmospheric ozone levels
  • The impact of sea surface temperature on atmospheric circulation and tropical cyclones
  • The impact of solar flares on the Earth’s atmospheric composition
  • The impact of climate change on atmospheric turbulence and air transportation safety
  • The impact of stratospheric ozone depletion on atmospheric circulation and climate change
  • The role of atmospheric rivers in global water supply and sea-ice formation

Research topic evaluator

Topics & Ideas: Oceanography

  • The impact of ocean acidification on kelp forests and biogeochemical cycles
  • The role of ocean currents in distributing heat and regulating desert rain
  • The impact of carbon monoxide pollution on ocean chemistry and biogeochemical cycles
  • Investigating the role of ocean mixing in regulating coastal climates
  • The impact of sea level rise on the resource availability of low-income coastal communities
  • The impact of ocean warming on the distribution and migration patterns of marine mammals
  • The impact of ocean deoxygenation on biogeochemical cycles in the arctic
  • The role of ocean-atmosphere interactions in regulating rainfall in arid regions
  • The impact of ocean eddies on global ocean circulation and plankton distribution
  • The role of ocean-ice interactions in regulating the Earth’s climate and sea level

Research topic idea mega list

Tops & Ideas: Hydrology

  • The impact of agricultural land-use change on water resources and hydrologic cycles in temperate regions
  • The impact of agricultural groundwater availability on irrigation practices in the global south
  • The impact of rising sea-surface temperatures on global precipitation patterns and water availability
  • Investigating the role of wetlands in regulating water resources for riparian forests
  • The impact of tropical ranches on river and stream ecosystems and water quality
  • The impact of urbanisation on regional and local hydrologic cycles and water resources for agriculture
  • The role of snow cover and mountain hydrology in regulating regional agricultural water resources
  • The impact of drought on food security in arid and semi-arid regions
  • The role of groundwater recharge in sustaining water resources in arid and semi-arid environments
  • The impact of sea level rise on coastal hydrology and the quality of water resources

Research Topic Kickstarter - Need Help Finding A Research Topic?

Topics & Ideas: Geology

  • The impact of tectonic activity on the East African rift valley
  • The role of mineral deposits in shaping ancient human societies
  • The impact of sea-level rise on coastal geomorphology and shoreline evolution
  • Investigating the role of erosion in shaping the landscape and impacting desertification
  • The impact of mining on soil stability and landslide potential
  • The impact of volcanic activity on incoming solar radiation and climate
  • The role of geothermal energy in decarbonising the energy mix of megacities
  • The impact of Earth’s magnetic field on geological processes and solar wind
  • The impact of plate tectonics on the evolution of mammals
  • The role of the distribution of mineral resources in shaping human societies and economies, with emphasis on sustainability

Topics & Ideas: Soil Science

  • The impact of dam building on soil quality and fertility
  • The role of soil organic matter in regulating nutrient cycles in agricultural land
  • The impact of climate change on soil erosion and soil organic carbon storage in peatlands
  • Investigating the role of above-below-ground interactions in nutrient cycling and soil health
  • The impact of deforestation on soil degradation and soil fertility
  • The role of soil texture and structure in regulating water and nutrient availability in boreal forests
  • The impact of sustainable land management practices on soil health and soil organic matter
  • The impact of wetland modification on soil structure and function
  • The role of soil-atmosphere exchange and carbon sequestration in regulating regional and global climate
  • The impact of salinization on soil health and crop productivity in coastal communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Chemistry

  • The impact of cobalt mining on water quality and the fate of contaminants in the environment
  • The role of atmospheric chemistry in shaping air quality and climate change
  • The impact of soil chemistry on nutrient availability and plant growth in wheat monoculture
  • Investigating the fate and transport of heavy metal contaminants in the environment
  • The impact of climate change on biochemical cycling in tropical rainforests
  • The impact of various types of land-use change on biochemical cycling
  • The role of soil microbes in mediating contaminant degradation in the environment
  • The impact of chemical and oil spills on freshwater and soil chemistry
  • The role of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in shaping water and soil chemistry
  • The impact of over-irrigation on the cycling and fate of persistent organic pollutants in the environment

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Economics

  • The impact of climate change on the economies of developing nations
  • The role of market-based mechanisms in promoting sustainable use of forest resources
  • The impact of environmental regulations on economic growth and competitiveness
  • Investigating the economic benefits and costs of ecosystem services for African countries
  • The impact of renewable energy policies on regional and global energy markets
  • The role of water markets in promoting sustainable water use in southern Africa
  • The impact of land-use change in rural areas on regional and global economies
  • The impact of environmental disasters on local and national economies
  • The role of green technologies and innovation in shaping the zero-carbon transition and the knock-on effects for local economies
  • The impact of environmental and natural resource policies on income distribution and poverty of rural communities

Topics & Ideas: Environmental Ethics

  • The ethical foundations of environmentalism and the environmental movement regarding renewable energy
  • The role of values and ethics in shaping environmental policy and decision-making in the mining industry
  • The impact of cultural and religious beliefs on environmental attitudes and behaviours in first world countries
  • Investigating the ethics of biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species in palm oil plantations
  • The ethical implications of sea-level rise for future generations and vulnerable coastal populations
  • The role of ethical considerations in shaping sustainable use of natural forest resources
  • The impact of environmental justice on marginalized communities and environmental policies in Asia
  • The ethical implications of environmental risks and decision-making under uncertainty
  • The role of ethics in shaping the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the construction industry
  • The impact of environmental values on consumer behaviour and the marketplace: a case study of the ‘bring your own shopping bag’ policy

Examples: Real Dissertation & Thesis Topics

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various environmental science-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

  • The physiology of microorganisms in enhanced biological phosphorous removal (Saunders, 2014)
  • The influence of the coastal front on heavy rainfall events along the east coast (Henson, 2019)
  • Forage production and diversification for climate-smart tropical and temperate silvopastures (Dibala, 2019)
  • Advancing spectral induced polarization for near surface geophysical characterization (Wang, 2021)
  • Assessment of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter and Thamnocephalus platyurus as Tools to Monitor Cyanobacterial Bloom Development and Toxicity (Hipsher, 2019)
  • Evaluating the Removal of Microcystin Variants with Powdered Activated Carbon (Juang, 2020)
  • The effect of hydrological restoration on nutrient concentrations, macroinvertebrate communities, and amphibian populations in Lake Erie coastal wetlands (Berg, 2019)
  • Utilizing hydrologic soil grouping to estimate corn nitrogen rate recommendations (Bean, 2019)
  • Fungal Function in House Dust and Dust from the International Space Station (Bope, 2021)
  • Assessing Vulnerability and the Potential for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Sudan’s Blue Nile Basin (Mohamed, 2022)
  • A Microbial Water Quality Analysis of the Recreational Zones in the Los Angeles River of Elysian Valley, CA (Nguyen, 2019)
  • Dry Season Water Quality Study on Three Recreational Sites in the San Gabriel Mountains (Vallejo, 2019)
  • Wastewater Treatment Plan for Unix Packaging Adjustment of the Potential Hydrogen (PH) Evaluation of Enzymatic Activity After the Addition of Cycle Disgestase Enzyme (Miessi, 2020)
  • Laying the Genetic Foundation for the Conservation of Longhorn Fairy Shrimp (Kyle, 2021).

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. To create a top-notch research topic, you will need to be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you’ll need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your environmental science dissertation or research project, be sure to check out our private coaching services below, as well as our Research Topic Kickstarter .

Need a helping hand?

environmental science assignment

12 Comments

wafula

research topics on climate change and environment

Chioma

Researched PhD topics on environmental chemistry involving dust and water

Masango Dieudonne

I wish to learn things in a more advanced but simple way and with the hopes that I am in the right place.

Olusegunbukola Olubukola janet

Thank so much for the research topics. It really helped

saheed

the guides were really helpful

Nandir Elaine shelbut

Research topics on environmental geology

Blessing

Thanks for the research topics….I need a research topic on Geography

EDDIE NOBUHLE THABETHE

hi I need research questions ideas

Yinkfu Randy

Implications of climate variability on wildlife conservation on the west coast of Cameroon

jeanne uwamahoro

I want the research on environmental planning and management

Mvuyisi

I want a topic on environmental sustainability

Micah Evelyn Joshua

It good coaching

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Top 101+ Amazing Environmental Science Project Ideas for High School

Amazing Environmental Science Project Ideas

Environmental science is an interesting subject that lets high school students learn about important stuff like pollution, climate change, green technology, and taking care of the planet. Doing projects is a fun way for teens to understand the world and how people impact it. 

In this blog, we made a list of over 100 ideas for hands-on projects about the environment that high schoolers can do alone or with friends. The projects we picked out range from easy experiments using basic materials at home to more complicated research topics. 

Each idea explains the experiment, how to do it, what you need, and what you might discover in simple language. Whether you want to test air or water, learn about renewable energy, look at recycling programs, or explore another environmental issue. 

You’ll find an awesome project that matches your skills and what you’re interested in. We aim to give high schoolers a list of meaningful environmental science projects that teach them about ecological challenges and solutions.

Note: Also read our blog “ What is MEP Engineering: The Best And Well-Explained Guide! “

Top 101+ Amazing Environmental Science Project Ideas For High School

Table of Contents

Here is a list of amazing environmental science project ideas related to different categories, First, we will discuss some of the best environmental science project ideas based on different topics, and then we will discuss the best environment science project ideas based on different science streams. Let’s take a look.

Environmental Science Project Ideas Based On Different Science Topics

Here are some ideas for an environmental science project based on the different and important science topics in high school. 

Climate Change

  • Study how cutting down trees affects the weather nearby.
  • Look at old weather records to see if the weather has changed where you live.
  • Make a model to show how greenhouse gases warm up the Earth.
  • Check how acid in the oceans affects sea animals.
  • Come up with a plan to use less energy at your school or in your neighborhood.
  • Test the water in nearby rivers or lakes and see if it’s clean.
  • Check if dirty air affects how plants grow.
  • See how loud noises in different places affect people.
  • Look at how plastic garbage hurts animals in the ocean.
  • Find ways to make less trash at home or school.

Renewable Energy

  • Build and test a small windmill or solar panel.
  • Compare different things like wood or trash to see what makes the most energy.
  • See if your area can use heat from the ground to make energy.
  • Test different types of solar cookers to see which one works best.
  • Design a small house that can use energy from the sun or wind.

Biodiversity

  • Count all the different plants and animals in a nearby park or forest.
  • Look at how animals that don’t belong where you live affect other plants and animals.
  • Study how animals disappear when their homes are destroyed.
  • Make a garden that animals like to visit and see what comes to visit.
  • Look at how garbage affects the animals near where you live.

Conservation

  • Come up with a way to reuse things at your school.
  • Find ways to use less water at home or school.
  • See how animals are affected when their homes are taken away.
  • Make a plan to use less outdoor lights where you live.
  • Look at how making special places for animals helps them stay alive.

Environmental Health

  • Look at how dirty air inside can make people sick.
  • Study how bugs that help plants can’t live if there are too many chemicals around.
  • Check if old electronics can make people sick if they touch them.
  • Look at how too much noise can make people feel bad.
  • Make a plan to use things that don’t have bad chemicals.

Environmental Policy

  • Learn about the rules near where you live to keep the environment safe.
  • See if rules about pollution from factories help keep the air clean.
  • Look at how countries work together to help stop climate change.
  • See how groups of people who want things changed affect the rules.
  • Make a new rule for the environment where you live.

Sustainable Agriculture

  • Look at how different ways to farm affect the dirt.
  • See if food grown without chemicals is better than regular food.
  • Make a plan to help farmers use less water and chemicals.
  • See how farming up and down instead of side to side helps make more food.

Waste Management

  • Look at how different kinds of wrapping paper affect the environment.
  • See if turning old food into dirt helps the environment.
  • Study how getting money back for recycling helps people do it more.
  • Make a plan to have less food thrown away at your school.
  • Look at how old electronics hurt the environment and how to fix it.

Environmental Education

  • Make a program to teach little kids about the environment.
  • Make posters or books to teach people about the environment.
  • Have an event to teach people about a problem with the environment.
  • Make a plan for teachers to teach kids about keeping the environment safe.
  • Look at how learning about the environment makes kids act differently.

Renewable Resources

  • Look at how ocean waves can make energy.
  • See if different things like trash or corn can make power for cars.
  • Study how a special kind of water plant can make energy.
  • Make a model to show how to make hot water from underground heat.
  • See if a special kind of gas made from trash can make electricity.

Wildlife Conservation

  • Look at how animals are affected when their homes are broken into pieces.
  • Study how animals that move around a lot are affected by warmer weather.
  • Look at how a special road helps animals stay alive.
  • Make a plan to keep one kind of animal safe where you live.
  • Look at how things people do hurt frogs and toads near where you live.

Environmental Science Project Ideas According To Different Streams

Here is a list of some environmental science project ideas given according to the different science streams in the high school. 

  • Check how well different solar panels turn sunlight into electricity.
  • Look at how small windmills make energy in different places.
  • Study how hot or cold water moves in the ocean.
  • Test different things to see what keeps buildings warm.
  • Make and try a model to get energy from ocean waves.
  • Look at how dirty stuff changes water.
  • Study how acid rain hurts soil and water.
  • Try using different things to clean up dirty water.
  • Look at what chemicals are in dirty air in cities.
  • Study how old food turns into dirt.
  • Count all the different plants and animals in a place.
  • Look at how dirty stuff hurts plants.
  • Study how different ways of farming change the dirt.
  • Look at how animals in cities survive.
  • Study how plants change with the weather.

Environmental Engineering

  • Make a thing to clean water with stuff from nature.
  • Study how to clean up dirty dirt.
  • Look at different ways to make less trash.
  • Design a building that doesn’t hurt the Earth.
  • Look at how cars and buses make dirty air.
  • Look at how dirt moves and changes the land.
  • Study how big events like earthquakes hurt nature and people.
  • Look at how water under the ground changes the dirt.
  • Study how rocks and minerals are made and used.
  • Look at how old the land is and how it’s used.
  • Count all the different plants and animals in a place and see how they change.
  • Look at how cities hurt animals’ homes.
  • Study how lots of different plants and animals help each other stay healthy.
  • Look at how the weather changes plants and animals.
  • Study how one animal helps a lot of others stay healthy.

Meteorology

  •  Look at how the weather changes and hurts things.
  • Study how cities get hotter than other places.
  • Look at how the air in different places gets dirty.
  • Study how clouds make rain.
  • Look at how the weather changes how much food we grow.

Biotechnology

  • Look at how living things can clean up oil spills in water.
  • Study how changing plants’ genes helps them grow better.
  • Study how stuff made from living things can help the Earth.
  • Look at how tiny living things make electricity.
  • Study how to keep animals from going away forever.

Oceanography

  • Look at how water gets dirty and hurts animals in the ocean.
  • Study how small pieces of plastic hurt animals in the ocean.
  • Look at how water moves in the ocean and changes the weather.
  • Study how big ocean parts don’t have enough air for animals.
  • Look at how water moving in the ocean helps plants and animals.

Agricultural Science

  • Look at how farmers use water to grow food.
  • Study how bugs that help stuff farmers hurt plants use to kill bugs.
  • Look at how planting different crops helps the dirt.
  • Look at how the weather change hurts farmers and what they can do.
  • Look at how farm animals are cared for and how to do it better.

Doing an environmental science project enables high schoolers to understand better the complex environmental issues facing our planet. 

Whether you are interested in conducting experiments to test air and water quality in your local area, analyzing solar panels’ efficiency, studying pollution’s effects on plants, or pursuing any of the 100+ project ideas outlined in this blog. 

An environmental science project is a great way to satisfy your intellectual curiosity while making a positive impact. We hope the diverse selection of environmental science fair project ideas provided sparks your inspiration to come up with creative solutions to ecological problems. 

Remember that small individual actions can add up to bring about tremendous change. The knowledge and experience you gain from these projects don’t end when high school does. 

Let environmental science be a launching pad to make sustainability and conservation central tenets of your lifestyle, career, and community. Our future depends on environmentally-conscious leaders taking informed action today.

What are some more advanced environmental science fair project ideas?

More advanced projects could include modeling climate change effects using computers, testing the biodegradability of different packaging materials, analyzing contaminants in local land or water environments, designing sustainable devices like a solar oven, creating bioplastics from renewable materials, or testing remediation techniques on contaminated soil or water samples.

Where can students find inspiration for an interesting environmental science project?

They can find ideas from environmental websites, scientific journals for high school students, books with environmental project guides, previous environmental science fair displays at their school, talking to their teacher or environmental professionals, browsing lists like this one, or brainstorm real-world environmental problems in their community that interest them.

How can a high school student find the expertise to complete an advanced environmental science fair project?

They can recruit help from science teachers, contact local scientists or companies through email to serve as mentors, use university laboratories and equipment if available in their area, look to government environmental agencies like EPA/DEP for resources, connect with environmental nonprofits, or search online for consultants with science expertise willing to advise students.

What kind of environmental topics make good science fair projects?

Any testable environmental question where data can be collected makes a good project. Popular topics include alternative energy, recycling/reuse studies, air/water quality testing, sustainability practices, habitat restoration, biodegradability of wastes, environmental engineering solutions, remediation of toxins, and using technology to monitor ecological issues.

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AP Environmental Science

Learn all about the course and exam. Already enrolled? Join your class in My AP.

Not a Student?

Go to AP Central for resources for teachers, administrators, and coordinators.

About the Course

How can we meet the needs of a growing population while sustaining natural resources? How can the global community collaborate to address environmental challenges? What does science tell us about our relationship with and dependence on the earth? In AP Environmental Science, you’ll learn how to use the tools of science to address these and other big questions about our planet’s future.

Skills You'll Learn

Explaining environmental concepts and processes

Analyzing data, visual representations, and writings

Applying quantitative methods in solving problems

Proposing a solution for an environmental problem and supporting your idea with evidence

Analyzing a research study to identify a hypothesis

Equivalency and Prerequisites

College course equivalent.

A one-semester, introductory college course in environmental science

Recommended Prerequisites

Two years of high school laboratory science, including life science and physical science, along with at least one year of algebra

Tue, May 13, 2025

12 PM Local

AP Environmental Science Exam

This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Environmental Science Exam.

About the Units

The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.

Course Content

Unit 1: the living world: ecosystems.

You’ll begin to explore a view of planet Earth as one system made up of regional ecosystems composed of interdependent environmental features, processes, and relationships between species.

Topics may include:

  • Introduction to ecosystems
  • Terrestrial and aquatic biomes
  • Primary productivity
  • Carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water cycles
  • Trophic levels
  • The flow of energy in an ecosystem and the 10% rule
  • Food chains and food webs

On The Exam

6%–8% of exam score

Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity

You’ll learn about the importance of biodiversity within ecosystems and the impact of outside factors on the evolution of organisms.

  • Introduction to biodiversity 
  • Ecosystem services
  • Island biogeography
  • Ecological tolerance
  • Natural disruptions to ecosystems
  • Ecological succession

Unit 3: Populations

You’ll examine how populations within ecosystems change over time, and the factors that affect population growth.

  • Generalist and specialist species
  • Survivorship curves
  • Population growth and resource availability
  • Age structure diagrams
  • Human population dynamics

10%–15% of exam score

Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources

You’ll study the natural components that make up the environment, from geologic features to the atmosphere and climate.

  • Tectonic plates
  • Soil formation and erosion
  • Earth's atmosphere
  • Global wind patterns
  • Earth's geography and climate
  • El Niño and La Niña

Unit 5: Land and Water Use

You’ll examine how humans use and consume natural resources, and the ways in which we disrupt ecosystems, both positively and negatively.

  • The tragedy of the commons
  • The Green Revolution
  • Types and effects of irrigation
  • Pest-control methods
  • Meat production methods and overfishing
  • The impacts of mining
  • Urbanization and ecological footprints
  • Introduction to sustainable practices including crop rotation and aquaculture

Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

You’ll learn about renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy, where they’re used, and their impact on the environment.

  • Energy sources and fuel types, including fossil fuels, ethanol, and nuclear power
  • Global energy consumption and distribution of natural resources
  • Natural sources of energy, including solar power, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric power
  • Energy conservation methods

Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution

You’ll learn more about air pollution, including how human actions can cause it, and you’ll analyze legislation intended to regulate emissions and improve air quality.

  • Introduction to air pollution
  • Photochemical smog
  • Indoor air pollution
  • Methods to reduce air pollutants
  • Noise pollution

7%–10% of exam score

Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution

You’ll examine the impact of pollution on ecosystems and learn how to determine its source.

  • Sources of pollution
  • Human impact on ecosystems
  • Thermal pollution
  • Solid waste disposal and waste reduction methods
  • Pollution and human health
  • Pathogens and infectious diseases

Unit 9: Global Change

You’ll come to understand the global impact of local and regional human activities and evaluate and propose solutions.

  • Ozone depletion 
  • Global climate change 
  • Ocean warming and acidification
  • Invasive species
  • Human impacts on diversity

15%–20% of exam score

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50 Best Environmental Science Research Topics

May 31, 2023

Environmental science is a varied discipline that encompasses a variety of subjects, including ecology, atmospheric science, and geology among others. Professionals within this field can pursue many occupations from lab technicians and agricultural engineers to park rangers and environmental lawyers. However, what unites these careers is their focus on how the natural world and the human world interact and impact the surrounding environment. There is also one other significant commonality among environmental science careers: virtually all of them either engage in or rely on research on environmental science topics to ensure their work is accurate and up to date.

In this post, we’ll outline some of the best environmental science research topics to help you explore disciplines within environmental science and kickstart your own research. If you are considering majoring in environmental science or perhaps just need help brainstorming for a research paper, this post will give you a broad sense of timely environmental science research topics.

What makes a research topic good?

Before we dive into specific environmental science research topics, let’s first cover the basics: what qualities make for a viable research topic. Research is the process of collecting information to make discoveries and reach new conclusions. We often think of research as something that occurs in academic or scientific settings. However, everyone engages in informal research in everyday life, from reading product reviews to investigating statistics for admitted students at prospective colleges . While we all conduct research in our day-to-day lives, formal academic research is necessary to advance discoveries and scholarly discourses. Therefore, in this setting, good research hinges on a topic in which there are unanswered questions or ongoing debates. In other words, meaningful research focuses on topics where you can say something new.

However, identifying an interesting research topic is only the first step in the research process. Research topics tend to be broad in scope. Strong research is dependent on developing a specific research question, meaning the query your project will seek to answer. While there are no comprehensive guidelines for research questions, most scholars agree that research questions should be:

1) Specific

Research questions need to clearly identify and define the focus of your research. Without sufficient detail, your research will likely be too broad or imprecise in focus to yield meaningful insights. For example, you might initially be interested in addressing this question: How should governments address the effects of climate change? While that is a worthwhile question to investigate, it’s not clear enough to facilitate meaningful research. What level of government is this question referring to? And what specific effects of global warming will this research focus on? You would need to revise this question to provide a clearer focus for your research. A revised version of this question might look like this: How can state government officials in Florida best mitigate the effects of sea-level rise?

 2) Narrow

Our interest in a given topic often starts quite broad. However, it is difficult to produce meaningful, thorough research on a broad topic. For that reason, it is important that research questions be narrow in scope, focusing on a specific issue or subtopic. For example, one of the more timely environmental science topics is renewable energy. A student who is just learning about this topic might wish to write a research paper on the following question: Which form of renewable energy is best? However, that would be a difficult question to answer in one paper given the various ways in which an energy source could be “best.” Instead, this student might narrow their focus, assessing renewable energy sources through a more specific lens: Which form of renewable energy is best for job creation?

 3) Complex

As we previously discussed, good research leads to new discoveries. These lines of inquiry typically require a complicated and open-ended research question. A question that can be answered with just a “yes” or “no” (or a quick Google search) is likely indicative of a topic in which additional research is unnecessary (i.e. there is no ongoing debate) or a topic that is not well defined. For example, the following question would likely be too simple for academic research: What is environmental justice? You can look up a definition of environmental justice online. You would need to ask a more complex question to sustain a meaningful research project. Instead, you might conduct research on the following query: Which environmental issue(s) disproportionately impact impoverished communities in the Pacific Northwest? This question is narrower and more specific, while also requiring more complex thought and analysis to answer.

4) Debatable

Again, strong research provides new answers and information, which means that they must be situated within topics or discourses where there is ongoing debate. If a research question can only lead to one natural conclusion, that may indicate that it has already been sufficiently addressed in prior research or that the question is leading. For example, Are invasive species bad? is not a very debatable question (the answer is in the term “invasive species”!). A paper that focused on this question would essentially define and provide examples of invasive species (i.e. information that is already well documented). Instead, a researcher might investigate the effects of a specific invasive species. For example: How have Burmese pythons impacted ecosystems in the Everglades, and what mitigation strategies are most effective to reduce Burmese python populations?

Therefore, research topics, including environmental science topics, are those about which there are ample questions yet to be definitively answered. Taking time to develop a thoughtful research question will provide the necessary focus and structure to facilitate meaningful research.

10 Great Environmental Science Research Topics (With Explanations!)

Now that we have a basic understanding of what qualities can make or break a research topic, we can return to our focus on environmental science topics. Although “great” research topics are somewhat subjective, we believe the following topics provide excellent foundations for research due to ongoing debates in these areas, as well as the urgency of the challenges they seek to address.

1) Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Although climate change is now a well-known concept , there is still much to be learned about how humans can best mitigate and adapt to its effects. Mitigation involves reducing the severity of climate change. However, there are a variety of ways mitigation can occur, from switching to electric vehicles to enforcing carbon taxes on corporations that produce the highest carbon emission levels. Many of these environmental science topics intersect with issues of public policy and economics, making them very nuanced and versatile.

In comparison, climate change adaptation considers how humans can adjust to life in an evolving climate where issues such as food insecurity, floods, droughts, and other severe weather events are more frequent. Research on climate change adaptation is particularly fascinating due to the various levels at which it occurs, from federal down to local governments, to help communities anticipate and adjust to the effects of climate change.

Both climate change mitigation and adaptation represent excellent environmental science research topics as there is still much to be learned to address this issue and its varied effects.

2) Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is another fairly mainstream topic in which there is much to learn and research. Although scientists have identified many forms of sustainable energy, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, questions remain about how to best implement these energy sources. How can politicians, world leaders, and communities advance renewable energy through public policy? What impact will renewable energy have on local and national economies? And how can we minimize the environmental impact of renewable energy technologies? While we have identified alternatives to fossil fuels, questions persist about the best way to utilize these technologies, making renewable energy one of the best environmental science topics to research.

3) Conservation

Conservation is a broad topic within environmental science, focusing on issues such as preserving environments and protecting endangered species. However, conservation efforts are more challenging than ever in the face of a growing world population and climate change. In fact, some scientists theorize that we are currently in the middle of a sixth mass extinction event. While these issues might seem dire, we need scientists to conduct research on conservation efforts for specific species, as well as entire ecosystems, to help combat these challenges and preserve the planet’s biodiversity.

4) Deforestation

The Save the Rainforest movement of the 1980s and 90s introduced many people to the issue of deforestation. Today, the problems associated with deforestation, such as reduced biodiversity and soil erosion, are fairly common knowledge. However, these challenges persist due, in part, to construction and agricultural development projects. While we know the effects of deforestation, it is more difficult to identify and implement feasible solutions. This is particularly true in developing countries where deforestation is often more prevalent due to political, environmental, and economic factors. Environmental science research can help reduce deforestation by identifying strategies to help countries sustainably manage their natural resources.

Environmental Science Topics (Continued)

5) urban ecology.

When we think of “the environment,” our brains often conjure up images of majestic mountain ranges and lush green forests. However, less “natural” environments also warrant study: this is where urban ecology comes in. Urban ecology is the study of how organisms interact with one another and their environment in urban settings. Through urban ecology, researchers can address topics such as how greenspaces in cities can reduce air pollution, or how local governments can adopt more effective waste management practices. As one of the newer environmental science topics, urban ecology represents an exciting research area that can help humans live more sustainably.

6) Environmental Justice

While environmental issues such as climate change impact people on a global scale, not all communities are affected equally. For example, wealthy nations tend to contribute more to greenhouse-gas emissions. However, less developed nations are disproportionately bearing the brunt of climate change . Studies within the field of environmental justice seek to understand how issues such as race, national origin, and income impact the degree to which people experience hardships from environmental issues. Researchers in this field not only document these inequities, but also identify ways in which environmental justice can be achieved. As a result, their work helps communities have access to clean, safe environments in which they can thrive.

7) Water Management

Water is, of course, necessary for life, which is why water management is so important within environmental science research topics. Water management research ensures that water resources are appropriately identified and maintained to meet demand. However, climate change has heightened the need for water management research, due to the occurrence of more severe droughts and wildfires. As a result, water management research is necessary to ensure water is clean and accessible.

8) Pollution and Bioremediation

Another impact of the increase in human population and development is heightened air, water, and soil pollution. Environmental scientists study pollutants to understand how they work and where they originate. Through their research, they can identify solutions to help address pollution, such as bioremediation, which is the use of microorganisms to consume and break down pollutants. Collectively, research on pollution and bioremediation helps us restore environments so they are sufficient for human, animal, and plant life.

9) Disease Ecology

While environmental science topics impact the health of humans, we don’t always think of this discipline as intersecting with medicine. But, believe it or not, they can sometimes overlap! Disease ecology examines how ecological processes and interactions impact disease evolution. For example, malaria is a disease that is highly dependent on ecological variables, such as temperature and precipitation. Both of these factors can help or hinder the breeding of mosquitoes and, therefore, the transmission of malaria. The risk of infectious diseases is likely to increase due to climate change , making disease ecology an important research topic.

10) Ecosystems Ecology

If nothing else, the aforementioned topics and their related debates showcase just how interconnected the world is. None of us live in a vacuum: our environment affects us just as we affect it. That makes ecosystems ecology, which examines how ecosystems operate and interact, an evergreen research topic within environmental science.

40 More Environmental Science Research Topics

Still haven’t stumbled upon the right environmental science research topic? The following ideas may help spark some inspiration:

  • The effects of agricultural land use on biodiversity and ecosystems.
  • The impact of invasive plant species on ecosystems.
  • How wildfires and droughts shape ecosystems.
  • The role of fire ecology in addressing wildfire threats.
  • The impact of coral bleaching on biodiversity.
  • Ways to minimize the environmental impact of clean energies.
  • The effects of climate change on ocean currents and migration patterns of marine species.

Environmental Justice and Public Policy

  • Opportunities to equalize the benefits of greenspaces for impoverished and marginalized communities.
  • The impact of natural disasters on human migration patterns.
  • The role of national parks and nature reserves in human health.
  • How to address inequalities in the impact of air pollution.
  • How to prevent and address the looming climate refugee crisis.
  • Environmentally and economically sustainable alternatives to deforestation in less developed countries.
  • Effects of environmental policies and regulations on impoverished communities.
  • The role of pollutants in endocrine disruption.
  • The effects of climate change on the emergence of infectious diseases.

AP Environmental Science Research Topics (Continued)

Soil science.

  • Effects of climate change on soil erosion.
  • The role of land management in maintaining soil health.
  • Agricultural effects of salinization in coastal areas.
  • The effects of climate change on agriculture.

Urban Ecology

  • How road construction impacts biodiversity and ecosystems.
  • The effects of urbanization and city planning on water cycles.
  • Impacts of noise pollution on human health.
  • The role of city planning in reducing light pollution.

Pollution and Bioremediation

  • The role of bioremediation in removing “forever” chemicals from the environment.
  • Impacts of air pollution on maternal health.
  • How to improve plastic recycling processes.
  • Individual measures to reduce consumption and creation of microplastics.
  • Environmental impacts of and alternatives to fracking.

Environmental Law and Ethics

  • Ethical implications of human intervention in the preservation of endangered species.
  • The efficacy and impact of single-use plastic laws.
  • Effects of religious and cultural values in environmental beliefs.
  • The ethics of climate change policy for future generations.
  • Ethical implications of international environmental regulations for less developed countries.
  • The impact and efficacy of corporate carbon taxes.
  • Ethical and environmental implications of fast fashion.
  • The ethics and efficacy of green consumerism.
  • Impacts of the hospitality and travel industries on pollution and emissions.
  • The ethical implications of greenwashing in marketing.
  • Effects of “Right to Repair” laws on pollution.

Final Thoughts: Environmental Science Research Topics

Environmental science is a diverse and very important area of study that impacts all aspects of life on Earth. If you’ve found a topic you’d like to pursue, it’s time to hit the books (or online databases)! Begin reading broadly on your chosen topic so you can define a specific research question. If you’re unsure where to begin, contact a research librarian who can connect you with pertinent resources. As you familiarize yourself with the discourse surrounding your topic, consider what questions spring to mind. Those questions may represent gaps around which you can craft a research question.

Interested in conducting academic research? Check out the following resources for information on research opportunities and programs:

  • Research Opportunities for High School Students
  • Colleges with the Best Undergraduate Research Programs
  • College Success
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Emily Smith

Emily earned a BA in English and Communication Studies from UNC Chapel Hill and an MA in English from Wake Forest University. While at UNC and Wake Forest, she served as a tutor and graduate assistant in each school’s writing center, where she worked with undergraduate and graduate students from all academic backgrounds. She also worked as an editorial intern for the Wake Forest University Press as well as a visiting lecturer in the Department of English at WFU, and currently works as a writing center director in western North Carolina.

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Top 100 Environmental Science Project Topics

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Table of contents

  • 1 Climate Change
  • 2 Renewable Energy
  • 3 Urban Ecology
  • 4 Land and Water Use
  • 5 Pollution
  • 6 Environmental Science Topics for College Students
  • 7 Energy Resources and Consumption
  • 8 Population
  • 9 Noise and Light Pollution
  • 10.1 Conclusion

With the environment and global warming in its current predicament, it’s no surprise that environmental science job opportunities will be on the rise in the very near future.

With the environment and global warming in its current predicament, it’s no surprise that environmental science job opportunities will be on the rise in the very near future. Therefore, so are the numbers of students pursuing studies in this field. The last four decades have seen huge changes in the rate of global warming and so more than ever before, we need people to study topics in environmental science.

For anyone majoring in environmental science, anyone needing to write  environmental studies project topics for a science course, or essay writer who is working on topical essays this comprehensive article will talk you through the top ten project topics to pursue. For each project topic, we’ll give you ten ideas.

Climate Change

There’ll always be an environment, but it’s looking more and more likely that it won’t be like our current one in the future. With this in mind, here are the top ten environmental project topics for college students on climate change:

  • Is global warming a natural phenomenon?
  • The politicization of global warming.
  • How do eddy covariance towers work?
  • Planetary tilt – does it affect global warming?
  • The differences between climate change and the greenhouse effect.
  • Why is carbon dioxide a greenhouse gas?
  • How do changes to weather patterns affect the Earth’s climate?
  • The concept of polar amplification.
  • The barriers to climate change responses.
  • The “heat island” effect.

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Renewable Energy

Our advances through the industrial revolution and the use of fossil fuels are now coming back to bite us. Here are ten environmental topics for project on renewable energy:

  • The pros and cons of hydropower.
  • Solar energy and pollution.
  • Solar energy to help the economy.
  • Geothermal energy: an unlikely major energy source?
  • The problems caused by renewable energies.
  • Understanding geothermal energy.
  • Are hydrogen fuel cells a viable alternative?
  • The advantages and disadvantages of solar power.
  • Transporting geothermal energy: a study.
  • The challenges of large-scale biomass energy use.

Urban Ecology

Urban ecology is an important consideration for environmental science projects for college students who are eager to pay for essay to receive high grades for assignments. When we study the environment, we tend to think of green spaces and rural lands, but urban ecology is important too. As such, here are ten environmental science project ideas on this topic:

  • How do unequal urban planning and greenspace distribution affect temperatures in a city?
  • How does urbanization affect surrounding rural areas?
  • How is the local climate affected by buildings and pavements?
  • What is the urban heat island effect?
  • How are water sources affected by urbanization?
  • How has human development affected our green spaces?
  • How is social identity linked to urbanization?
  • What impact does transport have on rural locations?
  • How can the natural environment be integrated into urban planning and design projects?
  • What is water harvesting?

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Land and Water Use

When humans use natural resources, they also disrupt natural ecosystems. This is an important area of study as we try to claw back and save some of the world’s resources from being entirely depleted. Here are ten interesting  environment related topics for project on this subject:

  • How have overfishing and non-sustainable fishing methods affected our oceans?
  • How does using water for irrigation affect natural ecosystems?
  • The impacts of different societies’ ecological footprints in terms of waste production and resource demands.
  • How can we mitigate deforestation?
  • An analysis of The Green Revolution.
  • The impact of salt application to streams.
  • How does using an ANN (artificial neural network) for rainfall-runoff affect ecosystems?
  • How do land-use changes impact urban runoff?
  • Relationships between water quality, land use and land use change.
  • Land use effects on lake water quality.

Pollution is one of the planet and humanity’s worst enemies. Agriculture, transportation, and industry can cause horrific environmental catastrophes. Check out the possible environment science project topics on pollution:

  • The impact of pollution on health care.
  • The effects of environmental pollution and water pollution on marine life.
  • The effects of air pollution on the food chain.
  • How environmental pollution affects Arctic.
  • The health hazards associated with waste accumulation and water pollution.
  • How do human activities change the world’s oceans?
  • Conservation and how it helps to reduce air pollution.
  • The difficulty of establishing direct links between health problems, air pollution, and air quality.
  • Environmental policy regarding air pollution and acid rain.
  • The effect of acid rain in urban and natural areas.

Environmental Science Topics for College Students

Environmental studies at college is all about studying in-depth biological, chemical, and physical processes on Earth. Environmental sciences also incorporates social, cultural, and political processes that have an impact. When studying Environmental Science at college level, a project need to seek out ways to present complex relationships in a simple way. Here are some ideal environmental science projects for college students:

  • Genetically Modified (GM) foods and their impact on the environment.
  • The global impact of radiation and nuclear accidents.
  • The role of the UNEP in environmental conservation.
  • The impact of freak weather incidents.
  • Micro-plastics in drinking water – why and how have they got there?
  • The Nagasaki and Hiroshima bombings – what have we learned about nuclear bombs and the effects on the ecosystem?
  • The impact of Coronavirus and maintaining the ecosystem.
  • The role of the media in conservation campaigns.
  • Tourism and the impact of human activities on a local and global level.
  • How has the US departure from the Paris Climate Agreement changed things?

Energy Resources and Consumption

Lots of  environmental studies project topics goes into looking at energy resources and consumption, which makes this a great project topic. There is already a lot of information out there, which makes this easy to research.

  • What is the relationship between energy efficiency and energy conservation?
  • What are the economic, social, and environmental costs of solar energy?
  • Was coal pivotal in industrialization?
  • The impact of fracking on the environment.
  • Compare and contrast the processes of extracting oil and mining coal.
  • How is ethanol produced as a biofuel?
  • Nuclear energy is a viable clean energy. Discuss.
  • The environmental effects of a nuclear conflict explored.
  • What is plant biomass?
  • The challenges of converting to large-scale biomass energy.

You can't write a list environment project topics  about environmental science, without mentioning population, environmental health, and the changes we've seen over the years. A lot of environment research focuses on population and its effects. Here are some ideas:

  • Population growth and its effects on GDP.
  • Factors that control population growth and the effect of density.
  • An exploration of population momentum.
  • The importance of studying population ecology.
  • The effect of human migration on populations.
  • The effects of overpopulation.
  • The effects of global warming on the global population.
  • Is sustainable development possible in a growing population?
  • What would happen if the demand for natural resources became greater than the supply?
  • How serious is the world population explosion?

Noise and Light Pollution

Though lots of people don’t consider light and noise as pollutants, the reality is that they are. Noise levels and light levels can affect organisms. Here are some interesting topics for science projects on noise and light pollution:

  • How is local wildlife affected by airport noise?
  • What happens if orcas aren’t able to use echolocation due to freight noise?
  • Migrating birds and the confusion from bright lights.
  • The effect of bright lights in resorts and sea turtles emerging from nests.
  • How bright city lights affect nocturnal animals.
  • The disruption of nocturnal activity in frogs and toads due to artificial light glare.
  • Artificial lights and the effects on migratory birds.
  • Light pollution and the effects on plants.
  • Changes in animal behavior due to noise pollution.
  • Noise pollution and the effects on mating frogs.

Conservation Biology

With as many as 2,000 species becoming extinct each year, we’re experiencing a serious problem. Conservation biology is a huge topic of interest when you need to " write my essay " and want to succeed with this task. Here are some ideas for exploration:

  • How has human behavior ramped up endangered species extinction rates?
  • How do humans threaten endangered species?
  • What will the effects of a loss in biodiversity be for humans?
  • If honeybees become extinct, what other changes would we see?
  • Why is the decline in pollinating insects so dangerous?
  • What happens if we lose endangered species?
  • What is the Holocene extinction event?
  • The collapse of the world’s coral reef ecosystems.
  • The threat of acidification in our oceans.
  • How can environmental policy help threats to biodiversity?

It's clear to say that there is a huge variety in topics in environmental science. For anyone looking for an environmental science project topic, we hope this extensive list has helped narrow down your ideas. Whether you're looking for environmental research topics for college students or high school, there is something for everyone here.

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AP® Environmental Science

The best ap® environmental science review guide for 2024.

  • The Albert Team
  • Last Updated On: January 26, 2024

environmental science assignment

Navigating the AP® Environmental Science exam is tough. That’s why we wrote this comprehensive 2024 AP® Environmental Science review guide. 

In this post, we’ll go over critical questions you may have about the exam, how to study for AP® Environmental Science, and what review notes and practice resources to use as you begin preparing for your exam.

Are you ready? Let’s get started.

The Best AP® Environmental Science Review Guide

What We Review

What’s the Format of AP® Environmental Science?

The AP® Environmental Science exam includes 80 multiple-choice questions and 3 free-response questions. The free-response questions (FRQ) include a question to design an investigation, analysis, and solution to environmental problem questions with and without calculations.

I: Multiple Choice8090 minutes60%
II: Free Response370 minutes40%

Source: College Board

How Long is the AP® Environmental Science Exam?

The AP® Environmental Science exam is 2 hours and 40 minutes long. Students will have 90 minutes to complete the multiple-choice section (80 questions) and 70 minutes to complete the free-response section (3 questions).

How Long is the AP® Environmental Science Exam

How Many Questions Does AP® Environmental Science Have?

AP® Environmental Science exam has a total of 83 questions. 80 multiple-choice questions with four answer choices, each equally weighed, and 3 Free Response Questions.

Return to the Table of Contents

What Topics are Covered on AP® Environmental Science? 

Environmental Science is grounded in four big ideas: Energy Transfer (ENG), Interactions between Earth Systems (ERT), Interactions between different species and the environment (EIN), and Sustainability (STB). Every question on the exam will relate to these overarching themes. The four big ideas are woven through the 9 Units covered in AP® Environmental Science. Use this AP® Environmental Science study guide to review the topics covered, and practice with Albert’s multiple-choice questions. 

Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems6–8%
Unit 2: The Living World: Biodiversity6–8%
Unit 3: Populations 10–15%
Unit 4: Earth Systems and Resources 10–15%
Unit 5: Land and Water Use 10–15%
Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption 10–15%
Unit 7: Atmospheric Pollution 7–10%
Unit 8: Aquatic and Terrestrial Pollution  7–10%
Unit 9: Global Change 15–20%

Source: AP® College Board

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 

What Do AP® Environmental Science Questions Look Like?

There are two types of questions on the AP® Environmental Science exam. There are 80 multiple-choice questions and 3 Free Response Questions (FRQs). Note, the AP® Environmental test has been completely revised since the Fall of 2019 and again for the 2021 exam. So while the College Board has not released any current AP® Environmental Science practice tests, we still have resources for you to get studying! Another resource is AP® Classroom, which hopefully you are utilizing in conjunction with your teacher. 

AP® Environmental Science Multiple Choice Questions:

The multiple-choice questions have four choices and are either individual, single, or sets of questions that refer to the same diagram, data presentations, or text-based sources. Albert has a vast library of updated multiple-choice questions that mimic what they will look like on the AP® exam here.

For example, the question below and linked here is an excellent example of an item from Unit 1, where you will need to utilize a data presentation to answer the question. Always read the question first, then skim the graph, and read all the answer choices before spending a ton of time on the figure. Tackling the problem in this order will help you hone what you are looking for in the figure. 

AP® Environmental Science Multiple Choice Questions

The second example from the AP® Environmental Science Course and Exam Description is an example of a set of questions, or multiple questions tied to one diagram.

AP® Environmental Science Multiple Choice Question - MCQ2

AP® Environmental Science Free Response Questions:

There are three free-response questions on the AP® Environmental Science exam.

  • Question 1 will ask students to design an investigation.
  • Question 2 will ask students to analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution.
  • Question 3 will ask students to analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations.

Read on for examples of these! As with the multiple-choice exam, because the exam was redesigned, there aren’t any exact released exams available, but don’t worry! We’ve got resources for you below.

Question 1: Design an Investigation

Question 1 presents students with an authentic environmental scenario accompanied by either a model/visual representation of quantitative data and may assess your ability to:

  • Describe and/or explain environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format.
  • Analyze visual representations of data.
  • Analyze research studies that test environmental principles
  • Describe environmental problems and/or potential responses.

Because the AP® Environmental Exam was redesigned in Fall 2019, it’s hard to provide exact examples. However, the exam used to include an experimental design question, and that may be an excellent place to start studying. Keep in mind that the new version (starting in 2021) may look slightly different:

AP® Environmental Science Free Response Questions - 2012 Experimental Design Question

Example: 2012 Question 3

Scoring and Sample Responses: 2019 Question 2 Scoring Sheet 

Question 2: Analyze an Environmental Problem and Propose a Solution

Question 2 presents students with an authentic environmental scenario accompanied by either a model/visual representation or quantitative data and may assess your ability to:

  • Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems.

AP® Environmental Science Free Response Questions - Question 2 Part 1

Example: Course and Exam Description Sample FRQ 

Scoring: FRQ 2 Scoring Sheet

Question 3: analyze an environmental problem and propose a solution doing calculations.

Question 3 is very similar to Question 2, but you will need to do some calculations. It will present you with an authentic environmental scenario and may assess your ability to: 

  • Describe or environmental concepts, processes, and models presented in written format 
  • Apply quantitative methods to address environmental concepts
  • Propose and justify solutions to environmental problems 

AP® Environmental Science Free Response Questions - Question 3

Example: Course and Exam Description Sample FRQ 2

Scoring: FRQ 3 Scoring Sheet

What Can You Bring to the AP® Environmental Science?

These guidelines below will help you nail down what to bring to an in-person, paper version AP® Environmental Science Exam, and also what NOT to bring! We recommend packing your bag the night before so you can relax the morning of the exam.

DO bring these:

If you’re taking the paper AP® Environmental Science exam in-person at school, you should bring:

  • No. 2 pencils and erasers
  • Pens with black or dark blue ink
  • Four-function (with square root), scientific, or graphing calculator (see full AP® Environmental Science Calculator Policy )
  • A current government-issued or school-issued photo ID
  • Your College Board SSD Accommodations Letter (if you are taking an exam with approved testing accommodations)
  • A watch that does not have internet access and does not make noise

DO NOT bring these:

If you’re taking the paper AP® Environmental Science exam in-person at school, you should NOT bring:

  • Food or drink, including bottled water
  • Phones, smartwatches, or wearable technology of any kind
  • Laptops or tablet computers
  • Bluetooth devices
  • Portable listening or recording devices such as MP3 players and iPods
  • Cameras or other photographic equipment
  • Devices that can access the internet
  • Separate timers of any type
  • Any other electronic or communication devices

How To Study for AP® Environmental Science: 7 Steps

1. Take a diagnostic test. (3 hours)

Start by figuring out where you are. Use Albert’s AP® Environmental Science practice test to get a feel for pacing, topics covered, exam format, and other tidbits in real-time . You may have to ask a teacher to assign one to you. You could also use one of the 2019 released tests on the College Board’s website, but note there are differences between past tests and the updated version of the test. 

Time yourself to mimic the set up on test day, and jot down topics or sections that are challenging. This will help you create an AP® Environmental Science study guide. 

2. Prioritize your studying. (1 – 2 hours)

The AP® Environmental science exam covers a broad swath of topics. You can study more efficiently by first grading your diagnostic test and narrowing down topics that you need to spend the most time on. Make sure to read the fine details in the free response scoring guidelines and err on the side of being a harsh and nitpicky grader.

After you have self-graded the test, grab a copy of the topics list, and check off topics that you aced. Highlight the topics and skills that were the most challenging for you, as those should be the ones you tackle first in your review sessions.

3. Make a study calendar and stick to it. (20 min)

Count out the number of days you have until the AP® Environmental Science Exam and block out some time each day for review. This will prevent you from trying to squeeze in a last-minute cram session that only stresses you out. 

Try to review for at least 30 minutes a day to fully maximize the practice and content retention. Even better: find a friend who is also taking the AP® Environmental exam and plan your “study dates” together!

4. Brush up on tough concepts. (2 – 5 hours)

Review sections in your textbook or online Environmental Science study guides. This website, kwanga.net, from a teacher, is one of the most comprehensive resources on the web with class notes, extra resources, and links to study materials. 

Take your prioritized AP® Environmental Science study guide from step #2 and go wild! If you prefer video’s Bozeman’s Science and Crash Course’s AP® Environmental Playlists are great resources. 

How To Study for AP® Environmental Science - Studying

5. Hone your skills with a lot of practice problems. (10 – 15 hours)

AP® Environmental Science exam practice centers on practice problems. The test is content-heavy and expects you to know a lot about well, a lot. Not to worry, with tools like  Albert , you will also get detailed feedback on answers that are right or wrong, helping you sharpen your understanding of tricky concepts. 

We have done the work for you in categorizing practice questions into specific units and topic categories. Click on the links below for practice resources:

  • 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 Practice Questions
  • Unit 9: Global Change Practice Questions

6. Take at least one more timed full exam. (3 hours)

Put your studying to the test! Take at least one or more full-length exams. This time, pay careful attention to time management and the strategies you’re using to answer the questions. For each multiple-choice question, you have 1 minute and 12 seconds, and for each short answer question, you have approximately 23 minutes. Practice makes perfect, and you want to make sure your pacing doesn’t get in the way of earning a 5! 

Grade your practice and reflect on what worked and what didn’t work. Here are some guiding questions to help you get started! 

  • What topics do you need to go back and refresh on?
  • Are you spending too much time interpreting diagrams or data presentations?
  • Do you have a good system for marking incomplete questions (or guesses) that you can come back to at the end?

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses can help you make a plan for test day so that you feel confident and fully prepared.

7. The day before the exam…relax! (5 hours)

You can cycle through steps #4-6 as many times as you’d like during your study sessions, but save the last day for rest and self-care. Spend time with friends, exercise, walk on the beach, eat your favorite (healthy) food, do some light review with flashcards, and, most importantly, get a full night’s rest! You can even plan a fun post-exam celebration— space out with romcoms or ice cream—to hype you up for the other side of the test.

AP® Environmental Science Review: 15 Must Know Study Tips

5 AP® Environmental Study Tips to Do at Home  

Here are tips that will help you get the most out of your AP® Environmental Science exam practice. 

1. Practice, practice, practice.

“Practice makes perfect” is a well-known phrase for a reason! At home, take every opportunity you can to practice answering multiple choice and free response questions. This will help you figure out your strengths and weaknesses and identify any misconceptions you might have. The Course and Exam Description from the College Board offers an AP® Environmental Science practice test at the end that is a great place to start. You can also utilize Albert’s practice problems, old College Board FRQs , or even a review book. 

2. Make and study flashcards.

The AP® Environmental Science exam is vocabulary heavy, and there are lots of terms you will need to know. Flashcards will be your friend, Here are some AP® Environmental Science Flashcard tips:

  • There are tons of pre-made lists out there. Try picking one and crossing off vocab as you go throughout the year and making extra cards for anything you didn’t make on your own. This list of terms is a good place to start. Or see the additional resources at the bottom of this post for other resources that have even more vocabulary!
  • Mathematical Units (like J and m/s) are important in the free-response questions. Every time you come across a unit make a flashcard, it’ll help keep it fresh in your mind for exam day. This page has a good list of units used.
  • Prone to losing paper? Quizlet is a great electronic flashcard resource. Here is an example Quizlet set for AP® Environmental Science practice.

3. Take homework and class activities seriously.

The AP® Environmental Science exam is concept-heavy. You will need to be able to provide examples from class to support your answers in the free response questions and choose the correct multiple choice answers. When working through assignments, really work to figure out what the big concept is, and if you’re struggling to figure out how the assignment fits in, ask your teacher! They’ll probably be excited to help you understand.

4. Read the environmental news.

This may seem like a strange one. BUT, the AP® Environmental Science exam has a TON of diagrams, data presentations, and text. If you spend time exposing yourself to and thinking about new articles and data presentations, your brain will be more prepared to interpret novel information on the exam. The New York Times often has great environmental science articles with dynamic diagrams. Check it out here! Science News also has excellent articles. 

AP® Environmental Study Tips to Do at Home 

5. Take the time to think about the Big 4.

The AP® Environmental Science exam expects you to know a lot about many topics. This may seem overwhelming at first, but once you realize they are connected through the big four ideas listed below, you will be able to see themes and patterns that the test will ask questions about. When you finish studying a topic or unit, make sure you can write out how one to two of these Big Ideas relate to what you’ve learned. This will make sure you understand the themes in the unit, which is critical for success on the exam. If you’re having trouble, the Course and Exam Description will give you some hints.

For example, in Unit 1, one of the main Big Ideas is Energy Transformation. As you study geochemical cycles, make sure that you can articulate the following:

  • How energy moves in each cycle 
  • How energy is transferred in each step

If you can articulate those two things for each cycle, you will definitely nail any question on geochemical cycles on the exam.

The Big Four Ideas are listed below with a shortened summary. 

  • Energy Transfer (ENG): Energy is neither created nor destroyed, always transferred. 
  • Interactions between Earth Systems (ERT): Systems change when they interact. 
  • Interactions between different species’ environments (EIN): Humans impact the earth. 
  • Sustainability (STB): To survive, humans need to find sustainable systems. 

Check out a more detailed breakdown of these here .

5 AP® Environmental Science Multiple-Choice Tips

1. always read the question(s) first.

The exam has lots of diagrams, text, and data presentations, and it is essential not to get caught up in these before you know what the question is going to ask! You only have a little over a minute for each question, so start by reading the question so you can hone in on where the answer might be. 

2. Know population dynamics.

The AP® Environmental Science exam now allows students to have a calculator for the entire test. That means some common equations could pop up in the multiple-choice questions. Population dynamics and calculation questions are very common on past tests. Know the following two equations and how they relate to data presentations:

  • \text{Doubling time} = \dfrac{70}{\text{The population’s growth rate}}
  • PGR is calculated by subtracting the number of deaths from the number of births in a year and dividing by the population size. 
  • \text{PGR} = \dfrac{\text{Number of Births – Number of Deaths}}{\text{Total Population Size}} 

3. Practice your pacing.

You have 90 minutes to answer 80 questions. That gives you only 1 minute and 12 seconds for each question. When taking practice tests or even quizzes, do it under time pressure so you can perfect your technique! You don’t want to run out of time when you know most of the answers!

AP® Environmental Science Multiple-Choice Tips

4. Answer every question as there is no penalty for wrong answers.

There is no penalty for wrong answers on the AP® Environmental Science exam, so answer them all! The same logic applies to the free response section, where you could get partial credit for some correct ideas. Never leave a problem blank. Try to use the process of elimination; read through the question and answer choices carefully, cross out any answers you know to be wrong, and pick the one that makes the most sense to you. 

5. Prioritize your practice and study time on heavily-weighted topics .

For example, these topics appear more on the exam:

  • Unit 9: Global Change

Use the weights of topics to help prioritize your studying. If you need to work on three topics, it’s probably best to work on them in the order in which they are weighted most heavily on the exam. 

5 AP® Environmental Science Free Response Study Tips

1. know the free response format and what your strengths are. .

College Board tells you ahead of time how the free-response questions are ordered. Get used to these question types by practicing them specifically. Once you know which free response question type you’re best at, always start with that one — you’ll earn the most points the quickest.  

The question types are always the following:

  • Question 3 will ask students to analyze an environmental problem and propose a  solution.

2. Practice reading and writing about common and novel data presentations.

The AP® Environmental Science Exam is full of diagrams and data presentations. When diagrams are presented in class, like energy pyramids and food chains, pay close attention. Here is a Pinterest board with common graphs and diagrams. You also need to get comfortable reading unfamiliar data presentations and diagrams. Try reading the diagram below and writing a sentence to explain what it’s telling you. If you can do that, great! You’re on your way! If not, you might want to practice this skill each time you look at a graph! Check out Tip #4 from the 5 AP® Environmental Study Tips to Do at Home section in this study guide and use current events to help you. 

Here’s an example of a common data presentation you would have to analyze. 

AP® Environmental Science Free Response Study Tips

3. Understand the task verbs and do exactly as asked. 

The words/phrases “Calculate”, “Describe”, “Explain”, “Identify”, “Justify”, “Make a Claim” and “Propose a solution” have very specific meanings in the AP® world. It is super important that you study the College Board’s definitions. They also provide great hints about whether you are expected to write a quick sentence or provide a long paragraph response. The Course and Exam Description provides a good breakdown in the image below.

AP® Environmental Science FRQ Tips - Task Verbs

4. The scoring guidelines are like answer keys; use them a lot!

The College Board provides sample free response questions as well as scoring rubrics from previous AP® Environmental Science exams . The questions may be different, but the targeted skills remain the same, and understanding both complete and insufficient solutions is an important piece of the puzzle.

Albert also provides sample free response questions with detailed feedback after each one. Some suggestions on how to use the guidelines. 

  • Notice that the graders will grade the first things you write! So if a question asks for three supports, don’t give 10 and hope you will get credit. They will only grade the first 3!
  • Take note of HOW SPECIFIC answers need to be and any important vocabulary that is SCORED .
  • After each practice problem, if you can articulate WHY you got an answer wrong and how your understanding of the topic has changed, you will be well on your way to getting a 5 on the AP® Environmental Science exam.
  • Credit for each part is awarded independently, so you can still receive full credit if you miss a part of a question.

5. Create a formula sheet and practice showing your work clearly. 

There are a few important formulas, conversion factors, and units that you need to know. As you study, create a formula sheet like this one that will help guide you. Then, when you practice, make sure that you are showing your work clearly, labeling each number with a unit. The scoring guidelines will ask you for this, but pay careful attention because these are some easier points you do not want to lose! 

This YouTube video goes through an energy calculation problem and does a great job showing clear and labeled work. 

AP® Environmental Science Free Response Study Tips - Clear Work

For an even more comprehensive list of tips, see The Ultimate List of AP® Environmental Science Tips .

AP® Environmental Science Exam: 5 Test Day Tips to Remember

1. get everything ready to go the night before..

Make sure you have everything from the What You Should Bring list from earlier in this AP® Environmental Science study guide ready to go! Double check you have a calculator with extra batteries or that is fully charged, multiple pencils, your ID, and a watch specifically! 

Pro-Tip: make a list of everything you need and check it twice before you leave for the exam. 

2. Know where and how you are going!

There’s nothing more stressful than realizing you don’t know where the exam is or how to get there! Have a plan of action set up — is a parent or friend taking you to the test? Is it at your homeschool? Know the room number. If it’s at another school, get there early so you can make sure that you will have time to get help getting to the correct room if you need it.

3. Eat a healthy breakfast.

Every teacher tells you this for a good reason! Don’t eat something you’ve never had before! Eat something you know will make you feel good so your brain can be nourished and ready to ace the exam. 

4. Bring gum or mints with you.

While you can’t have food or drinks, gum and mints are allowed unless it’s against your specific testing site’s rules. If you are having trouble concentrating, pop some gum or mint in your mouth. Studies show that mint can increase focus. If you don’t believe it, read this article and find out for yourself.

5. Review some light AP® Environmental flashcards the morning of, but don’t cram!

Don’t try to cram the morning of; you’ve already done the work.  On the way to the exam, review some flashcards just to focus your mind on Environmental Science. However, if you have followed all of our advice, studied well, and listened to your teacher, then you’ve got this!

AP® Environmental Science Review Notes and Practice Test Resources

Besides practice questions and FRQs, you may find it helpful to review other forms of class notes and concept reviews. 

We’ve linked to a couple of sites that feature notes or review videos you can use to refresh your understanding of key concepts. The best way to use these resources is to go through a Unit and then check for understanding on Albert. Then, use past FRQs to practice your free-response answers. 

Bozeman Science’s AP® Environmental Science Playlist

This YouTube playlist provides thirty-five videos of binge-worthy content to help you review for the exam by one of YouTube’s most well-regarded science leaders.

  • Use this site if: you like videos! Bozeman is known by all experienced AP® Environmental Science teachers and does a fantastic job breaking down topics. This is great for auditory learners or someone who wants a verbal explanation. 
  • Don’t use this site if: you are looking for practice problems, notes or specific articles to read. 

Kwanga.net APES Notes & Handouts

This teacher from Pinellas County provides tons of helpful PDFs of notes broken down by Units along with some great APES test-taking tips.

  • Use this site if: you are looking for topic specific activities, practice worksheets, and notes. This site has a robust collection of topic specific notes and class activities. It also provides phenomenally detailed vocabulary lists as test hints. 
  • Don’t use this site if: you’re looking for videos or quick answers to questions. This site will let you explore and test the knowledge you might already have but doesn’t come with the explanations of a teacher. 

Mr. Rittner is APES

If you like Google slides, you’ll love Mr. Rittner’s notes. He provides tons of helpful slides to work through, including references to the Essential Knowledge that each deck covers. 

  • Use this site if: you are looking for detailed PowerPoint slides for Unit specific topics. If you are confused and want more details about something in words this is the site for you! It also has some interesting enrichment ideas around environmental science and some test taking strategies.  
  • Don’t use this site if: you’re looking for summaries, videos, or practice problems. This website definitely leans more into class notes. 

Summary: The Best AP® Environmental Science Review Guide

We’ve covered a lot about how you can prepare for the AP® Environmental Science Exam and be confident in your skills. Here’s a summary of our study plan. 

First, the AP® Environmental Science Exam has two parts and will take 2 hours and 40 minutes:

That means you should budget about 1 minute and 10 seconds per multiple-choice problem and about 23 minutes for each free response. 

The exam covers topics from the following units:

For more detail on each topic, see AP® Environmental Science: Course and Exam Description .

Here are the 7 steps we went over on how to study for AP® Environmental Science:

  • Take a full diagnostic test
  • Identify topics that want to prioritize for practice
  • Map out your study sessions in a calendar
  • Learn and review concepts with notes or videos
  • Do a LOT of practice problems
  • Take another full test under time pressure to practice pacing
  • Relax the day before the exam

Lastly, here are some of the best tips we went over for AP® Environmental Science:

  • Always read the question first. Remember the exam has a lot of data presentations and diagrams; don’t waste time getting stuck on those before you know what the question is asking! 
  • Get comfortable with data presentations and diagrams; there are a lot of them on the test. Use old College Board exams or Albert questions to help.
  • Use flashcards! This test is vocab heavy and you need to be as specific as possible. Here is an example Quizlet set for AP® Environmental Science and here is a list of words and terms you should know!
  • Know the Task Verbs. These will help you use your time wisely and answer questions as appropriately as possible. Use this list . 
  • When completing the Free Response section, do the easiest problem first and then the others. That way you don’t run out of time tackling the hardest problem on the exam.
  • Practice, practice, practice! We can’t say this often enough. As soon as possible, start doing high-quality and challenging practice questions from College Board , Albert , or these AP® Environmental Science review books .

We hope you have found this review guide helpful. If you follow the advice in this article and walk into the exam with a positive attitude, we are confident that you will be happy with your score. Good luck!

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ENVPK.COM

Best Environmental Website Of Pakistan

Environmental Science , Home , Top Lists

31 Topics for Environmental Science Assignment Presentation

environmental science assignment

Hey there stressed and tensed looking student, are you frantically searching for an assignment topic related to the environment? Or maybe trying to find a unique and cool topic for your upcoming environmental science related presentation? Or maybe you need to write a paper about some environmental topic? If you are looking for any of the above, then you are at the right place at the right time as in this post we will be listing some really interesting and unique Environmental Sciences topics that will ensure your assignment, presentation or paper is the best of all and the most different and unique! Imagine everyone else has discussed the same old boring topics, while you come up with a topic that no one in your class has ever heard of! So check out this list below and prepare to get an A+ as well as the appreciation of your peers and teachers.

The best part of this list is that if you click on the topic, a detailed article on it will open up so you won’t even have to search for material elsewhere! So check them out and ask us in the comments if you need any further help!

  • 2019-2021 The Years of Wildfires – Causes and Effects
  • Dematerialisation – Environmental Sustainability Benefits
  • Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution on the Environment
  • Environmental Impact of Extraction of Pearls (Pearl farming)
  • Flash Floods – Causes, Effects, Prevention and Management
  • Environmental Impacts of Ozone Depletion due to CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)
  • What Is Causing Sudden Increase In Sinkholes Around The World?
  • What are sinkholes? Causes and Effects
  • Biological Warfare and Its Catastrophic Effect on Environment
  • Biological Warfare – Agents and Its Types
  • Anthropogenic Factors That Cause Species Decline
  • What Is Decarbonization And How To Do It Successfully?
  • What is Biofouling? Causes, Effects, and Solutions
  • Can We Still Save Environment Or Is It Too Late?
  • What is Greenwashing? – Types and Negative Effects
  • Why Ecocide Should Be Made an International Crime?
  • What is Ecocide? Causes, Effects, and Solutions
  • Makeup Industry and Its Negative Impacts on the Environment
  • Fashion Industry and Its Negative Impacts on the Environment
  • Cryptocurrency Mining and Its Negative Impact on Environment
  • Rooftop Vegetation and Vertical Gardening – Solution to Self-Sustenance
  • What’s Biomanipulation? Importance, Advantages, Disadvantages
  • Deep Sea Mining and Its Negative Effects on the Environment
  • Hunting and Poaching of Wildlife – Causes, Effects, and Solutions
  • Thermal Pollution – Causes, Effects, and Solutions
  • What’s Green Gentrification? Its Causes and Negative Impacts
  • Urban Heat Islands – Causes, Effects, and Solutions
  • What is Agroecology? Importance and Impact on Environment
  • Overfishing and Fish Stock Depletion – Causes, Effects, Solutions
  • Negative Impacts of Space Exploration on the Environment
  •  What Are Alternative Fuels? Types, Benefits, and Importance

STILL WANT MORE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE RELATED TOPICS? THEN CHECK THIS LIST OUT:

30 Environmental Science Assignment or Presentation Topics

I hope you all liked this post! Please comment below if you have any suggestions, comments, or feedback! We at #envpk love hearing from our readers! Thanks!

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ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SPECIALIST 3 - 4 PROJECT MANAGER

Dept of environmental quality, we are looking for results-oriented, driven individuals with a thirst for problem solving. at arizona department of environmental quality (adeq) our mission is to protect and enhance public health and the environment in arizona. through consistent, science-based environmental regulation; and clear, equitable engagement and communication; with integrity, respect and the highest standards of effectiveness and efficiency. because arizonans treasure the unique environment of our state and its essential role in sustaining well-being and economic vitality, today and for future generations. we are currently looking for employees who are committed to our agency, passionate to excel in their career and engaged in our mission. only this caliber of employee will be successful in driving our agency towards accomplishing our mission, environmental science specialist 3 - 4, project manager, address: 1110 w. washington street, phoenix, az 85007 water quality division, level 3 $65k-$70k, level 4 $70k-$80k, grade: 22, 24, closing date: .

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join our Surface Water Protection Section. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of managing complex environmental projects related to surface water quality and protection. This position offers a unique opportunity to lead initiatives aimed at preserving and enhancing Arizona's surface water resources while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.

This position is available for remote work on a full-time basis within Arizona (including virtual office arrangements).

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

  • Project Management: Lead and manage projects related to surface water quality assessment, monitoring, and protection.
  • Develop project plans, timelines, and budgets to ensure successful project execution. Coordinate with Section Subject Matter Experts to achieve project goals and objectives.
  • Data Analysis and Reporting: Oversee data collection, analysis, and interpretation related to surface water quality monitoring.
  • Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations summarizing project findings, trends, and recommendations.
  • Communicate technical information effectively to diverse audiences.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with government agencies, local communities, industry stakeholders, and other interested parties to promote surface water protection initiatives.
  • Facilitate meetings, workshops, and public outreach events to solicit input, address concerns, and foster collaboration.
  • Team Leadership: Provide leadership and guidance to a team of environmental professionals involved in surface water protection projects.
  • Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment conducive to innovation and professional growth.
  • Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvements, best practices, and innovative approaches to enhance surface water protection efforts. Implement strategies to optimize project efficiency, effectiveness, and outcomes.
  • Strong understanding of state and federal regulations governing surface water quality and environmental protection.
  • Demonstrated experience in data analysis, interpretation, and reporting related to environmental projects.
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate technical information to diverse stakeholders.
  • Proven leadership abilities, including experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex projects.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
  • Experience working with government agencies, community organizations, and industry stakeholders preferred.
  • Bachelor's degree in environmental science, engineering, natural resources management, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
  • Level 3 - 5 years of experience in project management related to surface water quality assessment, monitoring, and protection.
  • Level 4 - 8 years of experience in project management related to surface water quality assessment, monitoring, and protection.
  • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute (PMI).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply:  Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are: · 10 paid holidays per year · Accrual of sick and annual leave beginning at 12 and 13 days per year respectively for full-time employees · Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program). · A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits · A robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability · An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program · We promote the importance of work/life balance by offering workplace flexibility · We offer a variety of learning and career development opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program  here . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

ASRS Lifetime Benefits

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting [email protected]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

ARIZONA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (AMS)

All Arizona state employees operate within the Arizona Management System (AMS), an intentional, results-driven approach for doing the work of state government whereby every employee reflects on performance, reduces waste, and commits to continuous improvement with sustainable progress.  Through AMS, every state employee seeks to understand customer needs, identify problems, improve processes, and measure results.   State employees are highly engaged, collaborative and embrace a culture of public service.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements

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COMMENTS

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