Environmental Science

Year 9 Environmental science is a semester elective that introduces students to the Earth as a dynamic and interconnected system. Students will investigate how nutrients cycle through Earth's major systems and examine the impact of human activity on these cycles. The unit also explores scientific evidence for climate change and encourages critical thinking through the evaluation of strategies aimed at reducing environmental impacts and promoting sustainability. 

Learning in this subject will focus on:

• Examining how interactions within and between Earth’s interrelated systems affect the carbon cycle. 

• Describing  trends in patterns of global climate change and propose strategies to mitigate contributing factors. 

• Examining how different projected outcomes of the application of scientific knowledge to a selected socio-scientific issue may lead to varied support from individuals and groups in society. 

• Discussing how scientific information and misinformation may inform personal and social decision-making and influence priorities for scientific research.

Assessments:

• CAT:  Field investigation - Evaluating carbon sequestration in an ecosystem.

• CAT: Monitoring environmental change 

• CAT: Mitigating human impact on the environment 

• Semester Exam 

Further study options

• Year 10 Biology

• Year 10 Chemistry 

• Year 10 Legal Studies

• VCE Chemistry

• VCE Biology

• VCE Psychology

• VCE Legal studies

Science could lead to careers in..

• Bachelor of Environmental Science 

• Bachelor Environmental Engineering 

• Bachelor of Marine Biology / Coastal and Marine Science

• Bachelor of Agriculture or Agricultural Science

• Bachelor of Sustainability / Global Studies 

• Bachelor of Education (Secondary)