Environmental Sustainability

Mercer County Technical Schools

Sypek Center

Welcome to Environmental Sustainability

My name is Kerry Disbrow and this will be my first year teaching at MCTS. I have been working in the field of Horticulture and Plant Science for over 20 years. I’m an Adjunct Professor at Mercer County Community College in the Horticulture Department. I also have a degree in Education from Drexel University. I look forward to a successful first year of Environmental Sustainability.

What is Environmental Sustainability?

Environmental sustainability involves responsible management of the planet’s natural resources to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.

​

Aims to balance ecological, economic and social goals, such as reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy and ensuring equitable access to natural resources.

What We Will Be Doing…

Environmental Sustainability I

​

Environmental Science Issues (CASE)

Environmental Sustainability-PTLW (Project Lead the Way)

​

Investigating local, national, and global environmental issues

-Storm water runoff/agricultural runoff

-Logging/Deforestation

-Effects of climate change

-Food shortages

-Why sustainable practices are important

​

Study the health of different ecosystems including ponds, streams, and woodlands

-Water/soil sampling and testing.

-Investigating different local species.

-Learning about invasive species.

​

Renewable Energy

-Learning about different renewable energy sources-solar,wind,renewable fuels.

-Students will be distilling ethanol.

-They will be conducting home energy audits to look at their own energy usage.

Introduction to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (CASE)

-Investigating agricultural commodities and careers

​

-Food science and safety

-Students will be earning their OSHA 10 certification

-Learning about soil structure and health

-Investigating the water cycle and water health

-This unit will also incorporate some animal and plant science topics

Principles of Plant Science (CASE)

-Learning about plant science industries and careers

-Discussing why plants are so important

-More on soil sciences-soil structure, texture, microorganisms, nutrients, pH, contaminants

-Move into plant science-plant structures, plant cells, reproduction, and photosynthesis

-Learning about native plant species-trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials, and annuals-invasive plant species and plant diseases and pests.

-Growing microgreens for the culinary program

-Will have a few lessons on Hydroponics

​

Introduction to Hydroponics

Understanding Hydroponics and its underlying principles

-nutrient management

-pH

-Grow Lights

-Humidity

-Temperature

​

Investigating different types of hydroponics systems

​

Experimenting with different propagation methods

Creating their own mock hydroponic farm

Learning about and monitoring for plant diseases and pests

Working with the culinary program to provide fresh vegetables

Environmental Sustainability II

Curriculum Unit 1: Controlled Environment Agriculture

​

Curriculum Unit 2: Agricultural Business Foundations (CASE)

​

Curriculum Unit 3: Food Science and Safety (CASE)

​

Curriculum Unit 4: Agricultural Research & Development (CASE)

​

FFA

National Organization that promotes and supports agricultural education.

Competing in at least two competitions:

Fruits and Vegetables (Fall/Winter)

-Identify various fruits and Vegetables

-Select quality fruits and vegetables

-Written Exam

​

Environmental and Natural Resources

-Soils

-Water

-Ecosystems

-Waste Management

​

Hydroponics Lab

Articulation Agreement / Dual Credit Opportunity

​

Delaware Valley University (Pending)

​

Mercer County Community College: OHT101 Plant Science, OHT108 Soil & Plant Nutrition

​

Students must successfully complete both Environmental Sustainability I & II with a grade of C or better and students must enroll in the partnering community college within three (3) years of high school graduation in order to receive credit on a Mercer County Community College Transcript.

Careers in Environmental Sustainability

Environmental Scientists

Soil Scientists

Environmental Engineers

Farmers

Ecologists

Landscape Architects/Urban Planners

Attendance Policy

• All students need to make their best efforts to be present in school.
• Students are responsible for any work that was assigned to them when absent. All written assignments will be available on google classroom.
• Students must not exceed 4.5 absences per marking period or 18 absences per year.
• If students exceed the number of allowable absences it may result in the loss of credit for the school year.
• All doctors notes and excused absences (college visits, pep rallies, state testing, etc.) must be presented to the main office.

Dress Code

Khakis or Jeans (No sweat pants)

No open toed shoes

Students should come prepared to get dirty

Required Material

Four Notebooks (Any style)

Pens, Pencils, Highlighters, Sharpies

Headphones/Earbuds

Chromebooks will be provided

Contact Information

Kerry Disbrow

Kdisbrow@mcts.edu

609 954 7687

Hydroponic Systems

Microgreens

School Garden