Honors Environmental Science: An Interview with Dr. Doherty

In this article, SASS' Gloria K. ('22) interviewed Honors Environmental Science teacher Dr. Doherty. We hope that this article will help current and future Honors Environmental Science students in their academic journey!

What is your favorite thing about teaching Honors Environmental Science?

I love the breadth of the course. We go from fundamental earth science and scientific processes in the fall to environmental problems that are more social and ambiguous in the spring so I feel like there’s this year-long progression for students and for me.

What challenges students the most in Environmental Science? How would you recommend that students overcome these challenges?

My exams catch people off balance sometimes, depending on what sort of qualitative exams they’ve had before. One way that I help students with exams is by giving them some coaching about never leaving anything blank, etc. and maintaining a relatively standard format throughout the year so they have a real chance at getting better and better with each exam.

What types of students do well in Environmental Science?

I’ve had all sorts! I love that it’s a one-room school house, so I get a mix of students from 8th-12th grade who are interested in environmental science. It’s hard to predict how people will do based on background or grade level; for example, I may give fairly different feedback based on people’s initial level as a writer/graph-maker/etc. but there’s really no telling who will get the most out of the class. I really appreciate the interplay between students of different ages and backgrounds.

What does the average workload for each week look like?

Some reading for each meeting, a couple of low-stakes pre-discussion quizzes, and either a weekly quiz or lab assignment.

How do you recommend that students prepare for exams in Environmental Science?

It’s mostly about what went on in class, so powerpoints and notes may be more important than they are in other science classes. That’s partly just how Environmental Science is, it’s more narrative more case-study more humanities-like, than chemistry or physics or biology.

How is the participation grade for Environmental Science determined?

It varies, but basically I expect people to contribute to the discussion and respond to questions I pose to the group.

How is a student’s overall grade in Environmental Science determined? What percentage of a student’s overall grade is determined by exams, homework, quizzes, participation, etc.?

Currently 40% on exams, 50% on a combination of labs and weekly homeworks, 7% on participation, and 3% on pre-discussion quizzes.

What materials do students use in the course (textbooks, lectures, online resources, etc.)?

We have a textbook that is often used in preparation for the AP Environmental Science exam and a small lab kit.

Are students expected to be on camera for the entire class?

Yes.

Have you had any experiences with students in Environmental Science that could encourage those who think they cannot excel at the material to take the class?

Lots! I’ve had students join the class and do great after struggling in other science courses, likely because the math-component of Honors Environmental Science is more as-needed or ad-hoc whereas chemistry and physics classes are sometimes more like math classes in and of themselves. At the start of every year at least a few students in the course indicate they are “not science people” or something like that, but by the end of the year they’ve usually reconsidered; earth and envi offer a fundamentally different way in, and I’m convinced that everybody is an environmental scientist.

What about Environmental Science interests so many students?

It’s a chance to learn the science they’ve heard about. I help students get a grasp on acid rain, ocean acidification, ozone depletion, global warming, eutrophication, reactive nitrogen deposition, biological invasion, ecological restoration, clean energy, and a disproportionate amount of wetland ecology (since that’s what I know best). Most early science courses train students in a particular mode of thinking and problem solving, but Honors Environmental Science is more like a collection of great topics.

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