Courses - Australian National Curriculum: Senior | Yr10 | Yr9 | Yr8 | Yr7
All topics A-Z
Senior Earth and Environmental Science
| Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
| Introduction to Earth systems | Earth processes – energy transfers and transformations | Living on Earth - extracting, using and managing Earth resources | The changing Earth - the cause and impact of Earth hazards |
| ⊕ | Monash Simple Climate model Interactive online exploration of climate variables ACSES043, ACSES042, ACSES038 | ⊕ | ⊕ |
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Earth and Space K-10
Year 10
In the Year 10 curriculum students explore systems at different scales and connect microscopic and macroscopic properties to explain phenomena. Students explore the biological, chemical, geological and physical evidence for different theories, such as the theories of natural selection and the Big Bang.
| Science Understanding |
Science as Human Endeavour |
Science Enquiry Skills |
| The universe contains features including galaxies, stars and solar systems, and the Big Bang theory can be used to explain the origin of the universe | Scientific understanding, including models and theories, is contestable and is refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community | Plan, select and use appropriate investigation types, including field work and laboratory experimentation, to collect reliable data; assess risk and address ethical issues associated with these methods |
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| Global systems, including the carbon cycle, rely on interactions involving the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere | ⊕ | ⊕ |
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Year 9
In Year 9, students consider the operation of systems at a range of scales.
| Science Understanding |
Science as Human Endeavour |
Science Enquiry Skills |
| The theory of plate tectonics explains global patterns of geological activity and continental movement | Scientific knowledge has changed peoples’ understanding of the world and is refined as new evidence becomes available | Identify questions and problems that can be investigated scientifically and make predictions based on scientific knowledge |
| Forces driving Plate Tectonics Excellent video from IRIS |
Discovering the layers of the Earth Excellent overview video from IRIS |
Plate Tectonic jigsaw puzzle Hands on activity from Geoscience Australia |
| An Introduction to Plate Tectonics Saint Louis University |
Plate Tectonics: A brief history Excellent video from IRIS |
3D Plate Tectonic jigsaw puzzle - Basket Ball Hands on activity from Geoscience Australia |
| Plate Tectonics module Basic introduction for US students |
⊕ | 3D Plate Tectonic map - Tennis Ball Hands on activity from Geoscience Australia |
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Year 8
In Year 8, students explore changes in matter at a particle level, and distinguish between chemical and physical change. They begin to classify different forms of energy, and describe the role of energy in causing change in systems, including the role of heat and kinetic energy in the rock cycle.
| Science Understanding |
Science as Human Endeavour |
Science Enquiry Skills |
| Sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks contain minerals and are formed by processes that occur within Earth over a variety of timescales | Scientific understanding, including models and theories, is contestable and is refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community | Plan, select and use appropriate investigation types, including field work and laboratory experimentation, to collect reliable data; assess risk and address ethical issues associated with these methods |
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Year 7
In Year 7, students explore the diversity of life on Earth and continue to develop their understanding of the role of classification in ordering and organising information. They use and develop models such as food chains, food webs and the water cycle to represent and analyse the flow of energy and matter through ecosystems and explore the impact of changing components within these systems. They consider the interaction between multiple forces when explaining changes in an object’s motion. They explore the notion of renewable and non-renewable resources and consider how this classification depends on the timescale considered. They investigate relationships in the Earth-sun-moon system and use models to predict and explain events. Students make accurate measurements and control variables to analyse relationships between system components.
| Science Understanding |
Science as Human Endeavour |
Science Enquiry Skills |
| Predictable phenomena on Earth, including seasons and eclipses, are caused by the relative positions of the sun, Earth and the moon | Scientific understanding, including models and theories, is contestable and is refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community | Plan, select and use appropriate investigation types, including field work and laboratory experimentation, to collect reliable data; assess risk and address ethical issues associated with these methods |
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| Some of Earth’s resources are renewable, including water that cycles through the environment, but others are non-renewable | ⊕ | ⊕ |
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Topics A - Z
Australian geology
- Australian Geology Travel Maps: http://trilobite.solutions/
- Geoscience Australia: http://www.ga.gov.au/
- Shaping a Nation - A geology of Australia: http://press.anu.edu.au/titles/shaping-a-nation/
Astrogeology
- Astrogeology Science Center: http://astrogeology.usgs.gov/
Biodiverity
- Atlas of Living Australia: http://www.ala.org.au/
Climate
- Monash Simple Climate model (ACSES043, ACSES042, ACSES038): https://tinyurl.com/y9afz255
Earthquakes
- Australian earthquake events records: http://www.ga.gov.au/earthquakes/
- USGS earthquakes hazard program: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
Educational resources for the classroom
- Earth Learning Idea: http://earthlearningidea.blogspot.com.au/
- Earth Science Literacy Initiative: http://www.earthscienceliteracy.org/
- Earth Science Western Australia: http://www.earthsciencewa.com.au/
- Geoscience Pathways: http://www.geosciencepathways.org.au/
- Oresome resources: http://www.oresomeresources.com/
- National Science Teachers Association - USA: http://www.nsta.org/
Evolution
- Galapagos Education: http://www.nsta.org/publications/interactive/galapagos/
Maps and mapping
- Australian Geology Travel Maps: http://trilobite.solutions/
Volcanoes
- USGS volcano hazards program: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/
- Volcano world: http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/