Gareth Engler, a science teacher at West Albany High School, teaches Advanced Placement Environmental Science (APES). The class is primarily enrolled by upperclassmen or those who have completed the prerequisite, biology.
“The things we learn are based [on] real situations that happen,” senior Jentzen Mears said, “and how we affect those situations positively and make our actions more sustainable.”
APES is a self-driven and hands-on college course. Each student’s decisions impact only themselves, meaning any disruptions or unengaged behavior in the class often only has consequences for that individual student instead of the whole classroom having to accommodate for them.
“If you are good at equations, but have a hard time applying [them], this won’t be the class for you,” said junior B.B. Bartholomew. “[APES] is about applying everything to actual situations, and having a passion for [the environment].”
