Earth and Environmental Studies

2 units for each of Year 11 and Year 12 Board Developed Course

Course Description:

The Year 11 course investigates compositional layers of the Earth, the origins of minerals, tectonic movements and energy transformations and includes the study of human impact on the Earth’s resources and its surface.

The Year 12 course investigates how the processes of plate tectonics, the formation of water and the introduction of life interact with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and climate. Investigation of hazards, the mitigation of their effects and resource management are also considered, which leads to an understanding of the need to centralise the theme of sustainability for the long-term welfare of our planet and all forms of life dependent upon it.

The course uses the Working Scientifically skills to develop knowledge through the application of those skills. Students engage with inquiry questions to explore knowledge of the Earth. They also undertake practical and secondary-sourced investigations to acquire a deeper understanding of the Earth’s features and naturally occurring phenomena and cycles.

Earth and Environmental Science involves the analysis, processing and evaluation of qualitative and quantitative data in order to formulate explanations and solve problems. In conjunction with knowledge and understanding, communication skills are essential in forming evidence-based conclusions or arguments.

The Earth and Environmental Science course builds on the students’ knowledge and skills developed in the Science Stage 5 course and increases their understanding of the Earth and Environmental Science. The course maintains a practical emphasis in the delivery of the course content, and engages with technologies that assist in developing Earth and Environmental Science applications.

Main Topics Covered:

Year 11 Course

The Year 11 Course modules include:

  • Module 1 – Earth’s Resources

  • Module 2 – Plate Tectonics

  • Module 3 – Energy Transformations

  • Module 4 – Human Impacts

Year 12 Course

The Year 12 course builds upon the knowledge from the Year 11 Course.

The Year 12 Course modules include:

  • Module 5 – Earth’s Processes

  • Module 6 – Hazards

  • Module 7 – Climate Science

  • Module 8 – Resource Management

Particular Course Requirements:

  • 15 hours in Year 11 and 15 hours in Year 12 will be allocated to a depth study. During this time students may undertake an investigation/activity that allows for the further development of one or more scientific concepts. A depth study may be one investigation/activity or a series of investigations/activities. Depth studies may be included in one module or across several modules.

  • Practical investigations including both first-hand practical investigations and secondary-sources investigations are mandatory in Year 11 and Year 12. These must occupy a minimum of 35 hours of course time each year. Students are required to keep records of all scientific investigations.

  • Fieldwork is also mandated in Year 11 and is an integral part of the learning process.

  • All science courses have presumed knowledge requirements from Years 7 – 10.

  • Students selecting Earth and Environmental Science will need to have achieved strong results in Year 10. Students also need to be proficient in Mathematics.

School Fees: Nil