Brief Course Description:This course is a hands-on, biological exploration of cellular biology and the variety of chemical reactions that occur in specialized areas of organism cells. Specific attention is paid to energy acquisition and use in living organisms, complex ecosystems and the changing environment. This includes a fundamental look at cell type, function and structure. Students compare energy sources for plants and animal cells with renewable and non-renewable energy use by humans. Specific aspects to Career Technology Education (CTE) include an understanding of energy types, energy calculations, and how energy is derived from a variety of natural and man-made sources. Students explore how environmental change affects cell function and structure based the presence of pollutants in the environment. Students investigate protein synthesis and function as well as the composition and use of DNA and RNA. Students build on their knowledge of cellular functions to investigate environmental factors that can alter cell reproduction (mitosis and meiosis), genetic change (genotypes and phenotypes) and evolution. Students calculate energy production of macromolecules as a means to understanding various forms of energy. Students then relate this investigation of how things work to the internal environment of the human body and its ability to maintain homeostasis despite change in the outside environment. They do this by understanding the types and functions of organ systems such as the acquisition of oxygen and nutrients and the removal of toxic waste products. They also investigate how neurons transmit information and how the nervous system mediates communication between the different body parts and the body’s interactions with the environment. Finally, students investigate ecology and biomass balance based on competing effects of human activities, population fluctuations, nutrient cycling, food chains, and food webs. Students investigate the viability of biomass and biofuel as an energy source as well as other major sources of power. Students continue to use the CTE content to understand the impact of environmental laws and regulation that affect the energy industry and its role in maintaining sustainability of our natural world. Throughout the course, students identify and describe careers, certifications and postsecondary education and training requirements to pursue a variety of environmental and energy-related fields.