Environmental Science
Unit 1 & 2
Course Description
The Environmental Science program allows students to understand the structure, function and diversity of natural ecosystems on this planet and to evaluate the impacts of human activities on them. Using enquiry based learning students investigate renewable energy and global warming. Students also examine strategies to maintain and protect the ecological health of the environment while meeting the needs and desires of human populations.
Unit 1: How are Earth’s dynamic systems interconnected to support life?
In this unit students examine the processes and interactions occurring within and between Earth’s four interrelated systems – the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. They focus on how ecosystem functioning can influence many local, regional and global environmental conditions such as plant productivity, soil fertility, water quality and air quality. Students explore how changes that have taken place throughout geological and recent history are fundamental to predicting the likely impact of future changes. They consider a variety of influencing factors in achieving a solutions-focused approach to responsible management of challenges related to natural and human-induced environmental change
Outcomes - On completion of this unit students will be able to:
describe the movement of energy and nutrients across Earth’s four interrelated systems and analyse how dynamic interactions among biotic and abiotic components of selected local and regional ecosystems contribute to their capacity to support life and sustain ecological integrity.
analyse how changes occurring at various time and spatial scales influence Earth’s characteristics and interrelated systems, and assess the impact of diverse stakeholder values, knowledge and priorities in the solutions-focused management of a selected regional environmental challenge.
draw an evidence-based conclusion from primary data generated from a student-designed or student-adapted scientific investigation related to ecosystem components, ecosystem monitoring and/or change affecting Earth's systems.
Assessment Tasks:
Fieldwork reports
Reports and logbooks of a practical activity involving the collection of primary data
Analysis of data/results including generalisations/conclusions
Topic tests
A report of a student-designed investigation related to ecosystem monitoring and/or change that can be presented in various formats
Unit exam
Unit 2: What affects Earth’s capacity to sustain life?
In this unit students consider pollution as well as food and water security as complex and systemic environmental challenges facing current and future generations. They examine the characteristics, impacts, assessment and management of a range of pollutants that are emitted or discharged into Earth’s air, soil, water and biological systems, and explore factors that limit and enable the sustainable supply of adequate and affordable food and water.
Outcomes - On completion of this unit students will be able to:
explain how the chemical and physical characteristics of pollutants impact on Earth’s four systems, and recommend and justify a range of options for managing the local and global impacts of pollution.
compare the advantages and limitations of different agricultural systems for achieving regional and global food security, evaluate the use of ecological footprint analysis for assessing future food and/or water security, and recommend and justify a range of options for improving food and/or water security for a nominated region.
investigate and explain how science can be applied to address the impacts of natural and human activities in the context of the management of a selected pollutant and/or the maintenance of food and/or water security.
Assessment Tasks:
Reports of fieldwork exercise and practical activities involving the collection of primary data
Problem solving involving environmental concepts, skills and/or issues
Topic Tests
A comparison of the sources, nature, transport mechanism, effects and treatment of three selected pollutants, with reference to their actions in the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.
A report of a case study involving the management of a selected pollutant of local interest
Unit exam
Textbook requirements:
Included in School Bundle
Resources/Requirements:
School laptop provided in School Bundle
A4 Exercise Book & pens
Additional Costs: