Content Update: New material in AP Environmental Science course

By Helena Giannini D’Amico, Content Intern and Environmental Science Teacher

Calling all environmental science students and teachers!

This summer, Khan Academy hired a diverse group of teachers to work as content interns on a variety of courses across social studies, English and language arts, math, and science. Over the course of eight weeks, content interns worked hard on updating and creating exciting new content—just in time for the 2024-25 school year! While many courses received substantial improvements, we’re putting a spotlight on new additions to the AP Environmental Science course.

AP Environmental Science: Solving complex environmental problems

Environmental Science is one of the more popular AP courses nationwide. Khan Academy’s AP/College Environmental Science course blends scientific principles and real-world applications, from pollution and global warming to renewable energy and sustainability. Moreover, this course is thoughtfully aligned with the College Board’s AP Course and Exam Description (CED) standards. Through engaging articles and videos, students explore complex environmental problems and are empowered with knowledge on practical solutions.

 The AP/College Environmental Science course connects students to current and emerging issues such as climate change and biodiversity conservation—making learning relevant and impactful. With access to more than 30 exercise sets, students can develop a well-rounded mastery of environmental science through both conceptual and applied problem types. Whether explaining the impacts of invasive species or exploring the science behind sustainable agriculture, our instructional content ensures students are engaged, able to apply their knowledge in meaningful contexts, and well-prepared for the AP exam.

New content in AP Environmental Science

Khan Academy’s AP/College Environmental Science course spans eight units, with the final one focusing on Global Change—featuring new content! Standards-aligned articles have been added to provide learners with additional instructional support. Plus, accompanying exercises allow students to test their new skills.

In particular, students will find new articles about stratospheric ozone depletion and solutions for ozone recovery, as well as a more robust exercise to accompany this existing lesson. Students also have access to new articles on human activities that threaten biodiversity and endangered species conservation. Stay posted  for upcoming additions to this course!

Content creation internship for teachers

This summer marks the first-ever Khan Academy content creation internship program for teachers. I was drawn to this program because of Khan Academy’s mission “to provide a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere.” I feel so lucky to have been chosen, along with my fellow content interns—from among 800 candidates! For eight weeks, we worked on developing and updating content across a variety of domains, including social studies, English and language arts, math, and science. As a biologist turned teacher, I believe that empowering future generations with knowledge is the strongest means of conservation. As such, I was very excited to work on Khan Academy’s environmental science course this summer.

Not only did Khan Academy’s content benefit from the knowledge and expertise of teachers that are currently in the classroom, but we teachers benefited from learning incredible new skills from the very best in the education technology industry. This program is just one of the amazing ways in which Khan Academy gives back to the community. I feel energized to bring a new perspective and fresh new content to my students and fellow educators.