Open to students entering grades 10, 11 or 12, Advanced Placement Environmental Science is one of Punahou’s most popular Academy science courses. The year-long interdisciplinary class covers natural systems, human’s influence on the planet and environmental issues. The course uses the standardized AP curriculum, with the addition of lessons on Hawai‘i’s unique ecosystem. Students also discuss current events and are inspired to become good stewards of the planet.
“There is a renewed concern for the future of the planet,” says Academy science teacher Paraluman Stice-Durkin. “Students want to create more change than just recycling, and they want the science behind what they’re seeing in the media. It gets complicated, but these are the kids that are going to be solving these problems.”
“I took Advanced Placement Environmental Science because I know that I want to dedicate the rest of my life to something to do with helping and caring for the environment,” said Sabina Funasaki ’24. “I wanted to especially take it in my sophomore year so that I could use what I learned throughout the rest of my high school career and beyond.”